Jeremiah 6:16-30

YAHWEH said to his people: “Stand at the crossroads. Now, consider your ways and ask for the ancient paths. Which is God’s way? Walk on his path, and you’ll enjoy a resting place for yourselves. But they said, ‘We will not. That’s not the path we want.’ ” YAHWEH said, “I raised up prophetic watchmen to warn you: ‘Pay attention to the sound of the shofar!’ Still, they replied, ‘We will not.’ Hear well then, O nations, and observe as witnesses what’s in store for them. Hear, O earth! I am bringing a catastrophe to these people, the fruit of their own evil schemes. For they refused to listen to my words, and threw all my instructions and warnings to the wind.” “What use to me is all this frankincense that you’ve imported from Sheba and all these exotic spices from distant lands? I will not accept your burnt offerings; the aroma of your sacrifices is no longer sweet to me.” So this is what YAHWEH has said: “I will put obstacles before these people, and they will stumble and fall over them. Fathers and children, neighbors and friends, all will die.” This is what YAHWEH has said: “Look! They’re coming! Warriors approach from the north. From the remote parts of the earth, a great nation is preparing for war. Armed with bows and spears, they are merciless and cruel. The sound of their armies riding their horses is like the roaring sea. The cavalry is formed for battle and ready to attack you, O Fair Zion!” The people say: “We have heard the news, and our strength fails. Like a woman in childbirth, we are in agony, seized with pain. Don’t go out into the field; stay off the streets! For our enemies are armed, and there is terror on every side.” My dear people, it’s time to mourn. Put on sackcloth and sprinkle ashes on yourselves. Mourn as you would for an only child. Wail bitterly, for suddenly the destroyer will be upon us. YAHWEH said to me: “I have made you as one who tests metals among my people. In the same way a person tests metal, you will perceive and test their ways. They are the most stubborn of rebels. Each one spreads slander and practices dishonesty. They are as hard as bronze and iron. Though the bellows blow fiercely, yet the smelter smelts to no avail. Fire melts and burns away the lead, but my refining fire fails to separate the dross of their wickedness. They are called ‘rejected silver,’ for YAHWEH has rejected them.”