The Hebrew Prophets

Here is what ADONAI says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, 'Which one is the good way?' Take it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not take it.'

I appointed sentinels to direct them: 'Listen for the sound of the shofar.' But they said, 'We will not listen.'

So hear, you nations; know, you assembly, what there is against them.

Hear, oh earth! I am going to bring disaster on this people; it is the consequence of their own way of thinking; for they pay no attention to my words; and as for my Torah, they reject it.

What do I care about incense from Sh'va or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are unacceptable, your sacrifices don't please me."

Therefore thus says ADONAI: "I will put obstacles in the way of this people that they will stumble over fathers and sons, neighbors and friends, all will perish together."

Here is what ADONAI says: "A people is coming from the land of the north, a great nation will be aroused from the ends of the earth.

They will take hold of bow and spear; they are cruel; they have no compassion: their noise as they ride on horses is like the roaring sea; and they are equipped for battle against you, daughter of Tziyon.

'We have heard the news, and our hands fall limp; anguish has seized us, pain like a mother's in childbirth.'"

Don't go into the countryside, don't walk out on the road; for the sword of the enemy is spreading terror in every direction.

Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth, roll in ashes, mourn as if for an only son, wail most bitterly; for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

"I have made you a refiner and tester of my people, to know and test how they behave.

All of them are total rebels, spreading slanderous gossip; they are bronze and iron, [inferior metals,] all of them corrupt.

The bellows blast away; and though the lead is consumed by the fire, in vain has the smelter refined, for the wicked have not been separated.

They are called 'rejected silver,' because ADONAI has rejected them."

This word came to Yirmeyahu from ADONAI:

"Stand at the gate of the house of ADONAI and proclaim this word: 'Listen to the word of ADONAI, all you from Y'hudah who enter these gates to worship ADONAI!

Here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: "Improve your ways and actions, and I will let you stay in this place.

Don't rely on that deceitful slogan, 'The temple of ADONAI, the temple of ADONAI - these [buildings] are the temple of ADONAI.'

No, but if you really improve your ways and actions; if you really administer justice between people;

if you stop oppressing foreigners, orphans and widows; if you stop shedding innocent blood in this place; and if you stop following other gods, to your own harm;

then I will let you stay in this place, in the land I gave to your ancestors forever and ever.

Look! You are relying on deceitful words that can't do you any good.

First you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, offer to Ba'al and go after other gods that you haven't known.

Then you come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, 'We are saved' - so that you can go on doing these abominations!