Jeremiah 5:21-29

‘Pay attention, you foolish and senseless people. They have eyes but refuse to see. They have ears but refuse to hear. I, YAHWEH, am speaking to you. Do you not fear? Do you not tremble in awe in my presence? I made the sand as a border for the sea, an ancient barrier that it does not pass. Though the waves roar and beat against it, they can neither go beyond it nor break through it. But these people have stubborn, rebellious hearts. They all turn aside and go their own way. They never say in their heart, “Let us now give reverence to YAHWEH our God who gives us showers at the time of his favor, the early and latter rain in its season, and graciously gives us a harvest each year.” The guilt of your sins has upset nature’s order and withheld my blessings from you. Your sins have kept these good things from you!’ ” “Lurking among my people are wicked criminals. They are like hunters hiding to catch birds in their nets, setting their traps to catch people. Like cages full of captured birds, they fill their houses with lies and deceit. This is how they have become rich and powerful, fat and prosperous. Indeed, their wickedness knows no bounds. There is no true justice in their judgments— they neither stand up for the rights of the orphans, nor help the needy receive their fair portion. I, YAHWEH, promise to hold them accountable for these things. I will be justified to punish a nation such as this.