Jeremiah 7:1-11

New International Version

False Religion Worthless

7 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Stand^(A) at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message:

“‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. ³ This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways^(B) and your actions, and I will let you live^(C) in this place. ⁴ Do not trust^(D) in deceptive^(E) words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” ⁵ If you really change^(F) your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,^{(G) 6} if you do not oppress^(H) the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood^(I) in this place, and if you do not follow other gods^(J) to your own harm, ⁷ then I will let you live in this place, in the land^(K) I gave your ancestors^(L) for ever and ever. ⁸ But look, you are trusting^(M) in deceptive^(N) words that are worthless.

⁹ “‘Will you steal^(O) and murder,^(P) commit adultery^(Q) and perjury,^[a](R) burn incense to Baal^(S) and follow other gods^(T) you have not known, ¹⁰ and then come and stand^(U) before me in this house,^(V) which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things?^{(W) 11} Has this house,^(X) which bears my Name, become a den of robbers^(Y) to you? But I have been watching!^(Z) declares the Lord.