The Hebrew Prophets

Then I will smash them one against another, even fathers and sons together,' says ADONAI 'I will show neither pity nor compassion, but I will destroy them relentlessly.'"'"

Listen and pay attention; don't be proud! For ADONAI has spoken.

Give glory to ADONAI your God before the darkness falls, before your feet stumble on the mountains in the twilight, and, while you are seeking light, he turns it into deathlike shadows and makes it completely dark.

But if you will not hear this warning, I will weep secretly because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, streaming with tears, because ADONAI's flock is carried away captive.

Tell the king and the queen mother, "Come down from your thrones, for your magnificent crowns are falling from your heads."

The cities of the Negev are besieged, and no one can relieve them; all of Y'hudah is carried into exile, completely swept into exile.

Raise your eyes, and you will see them coming from the north. Where is the flock once entrusted to you, the sheep that were your pride?

When he sets over you as rulers those you trained to be allies, what will you say? Won't pains seize you like those of a woman in labor?

And if you ask yourself, "Why have these things happened to me?" it is because of your many sins that your skirts are pulled up and you have been violated.

Can an Ethiopian change his skin? or a leopard its spots? If they can, then you can do good, who are so accustomed to doing evil.

"So I will scatter them like chaff that flies away in the desert wind.

This is what you get," says ADONAI, "the portion I measure out to you, because you have forgotten me and trusted in the lie.

I myself will lift your skirts above your face, and your privates will be exposed.

On the hills and in the fields, I have seen your abominations - your adulteries, your lustful neighings your shameless prostitution. Woe to you, Yerushalayim! You refuse to be purified! Won't you ever allow it?"

The word of ADONAI that came to Yirmeyahu concerning the drought:

"Y'hudah is mourning, her gates are languishing; they sit on the ground in gloom; Yerushalayim sends up a cry of anguish.

Her nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water, so they return with empty jars. Ashamed and dismayed, they cover their heads.

Because of the ground, which is cracked, since it has not rained in the land, the farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.

The doe in the countryside, giving birth, abandons her young for lack of grass.

The wild donkeys standing on the bare heights gasp for air like jackals; their eyes grow dim from trying to spot any vegetation."

Although our crimes witness against us, take action, ADONAI, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.

You, hope of Isra'el, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler turning aside for the night?

Why should you be like a man in shock, like a champion unable to save? You, ADONAI, are right here with us; we bear your name - don't leave us!

Here is what ADONAI says to this people: "They so love to wander, they don't restrain their feet; so ADONAI does not want them. Now he will remember their crimes, and he will punish their sins."

Then ADONAI said to me, "Don't pray for this people or for their welfare.