2. Make promises only in my name,and do what you promise!Then all nations will praise me,and I will bless them.
3. People of Jerusalem and Judah,don't be so stubborn!Your hearts have become hard,like unploughed groundwhere thorn bushes grow.
4. With all your hearts,keep the agreementI made with you.But if you are stubbornand keep on sinning,my anger will burn like a firethat cannot be put out.
7. An army will come out,like a lion from its den.It will destroy nationsand leave your towns emptyand in ruins.”
8. Then I saidto the people of Israel,“Put on sackcloth!Mourn and cry out,‘The Lord is still angrywith us.’ ”
9. The Lord said,“When all this happens,the king and his officials,the prophets and the priestswill be shocked and terrified.”
16-17. The Lord said,“Tell the nations that my peoplehave rebelled against me.And so an army will comefrom far awayto surround Jerusalemand the towns of Judah.I, the Lord, have spoken.
18. “People of Judah,your hearts will be in pain,but it's your own faultthat you will be punished.”
19. I can't stand the pain!My heart pounds,as I twist and turn in agony.I hear the signal trumpetand the battle cry of the enemy,and I cannot be silent.
20. I see the enemy defeating ustime after time,leaving everything in ruins.Even my own homeis destroyed in a moment.