4. The Lord said:People of Jerusalem,when you stumble and fall,you get back up,and if you take a wrong road,you turn round and go back.
5. So why do you refuseto come back to me?Why do you hold so tightlyto your false gods?
6. I listen carefully,but none of you admitthat you've done wrong.Without a second thought,you run down the wrong roadlike cavalry troopscharging into battle.
7. Storks, doves, swallows,and thrushesall know when it's timeto fly away for the winterand when to come back.But you, my people,don't know what I demand.
8. You say, “We are wisebecause we have the teachingsand laws of the Lord.”But I say that your teachershave turned my wordsinto lies!
9. Your wise menhave rejected what I say,and so they have no wisdom.Now they will be trappedand put to shame;they won't know what to do.
10. I'll give their wives and fieldsto strangers.Everyone is greedy and dishonest,whether poor or rich.Even the prophets and priestscannot be trusted.