6. Everyone takes advantageof everyone else,and no one will admitthat I am God.
7. And so I will purifythe hearts of my peoplejust as gold is purifiedin a furnace.I have no other choice.
8. They say they want peace,but this lie is deadly,like an arrow that strikeswhen you least expect it.
9. Give me one good reasonnot to punish themas they deserve.I, the Lord All-Powerful,have spoken.
10. I weep for the pasture landin the hill country.It's so barren and scorchedthat no one travels there.No cattle can be found there,and birds and wild animalshave all disappeared.
11. I heard the Lord reply,“When I have finished,Jerusalem and the towns of Judahwill be piles of ruinswhere only jackals live.”