Jeremiah 6:10-21

New International Version

¹⁰ To whom can I speak and give warning?
    Who will listen^(A) to me?
Their ears are closed^[a](B)
    so they cannot hear.^(C)
The word^(D) of the Lord is offensive to them;
    they find no pleasure in it.
¹¹ But I am full of the wrath^(E) of the Lord,
    and I cannot hold it in.^(F)

“Pour it out on the children in the street
    and on the young men^(G) gathered together;
both husband and wife will be caught in it,
    and the old, those weighed down with years.^(H)
12 Their houses will be turned over to others,^(I)
    together with their fields and their wives,^(J)
when I stretch out my hand^(K)
    against those who live in the land,”
declares the Lord.
¹³ “From the least to the greatest,
    all^(L) are greedy for gain;^(M)
prophets and priests alike,
    all practice deceit.^(N)
14 They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
    when there is no peace.^(O)
15 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
    No, they have no shame at all;
    they do not even know how to blush.^(P)
So they will fall among the fallen;
    they will be brought down when I punish^(Q) them,”
says the Lord.

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,^(R)
ask where the good way^(S) is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest^(T) for your souls.
    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
¹⁷ I appointed watchmen^(U) over you and said,
    ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’^(V)
    But you said, ‘We will not listen.’^(W)
18 Therefore hear, you nations;
    you who are witnesses,
    observe what will happen to them.
¹⁹ Hear, you earth:^(X)
    I am bringing disaster^(Y) on this people,
    the fruit of their schemes,^(Z)
because they have not listened to my words^(AA)
    and have rejected my law.^(AB)
20 What do I care about incense from Sheba^(AC)
    or sweet calamus^(AD) from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;^(AE)
    your sacrifices^(AF) do not please me.”^(AG)

“I will put obstacles before this people.
    Parents and children alike will stumble^(AH) over them;
    neighbors and friends will perish.”