Jeremia 5

1“Rush about through the streets of Jerusalem; search in her city squares, too. Then look and think about this: 2Although they say, 'As Yahweh lives,' yet they are swearing falsely.” 3Yahweh, do your eyes not look for faithfulness? You struck the people, but they do not feel pain. 4So I said, “Surely these are only poor people. 5I will go to the important people and declare God's messages to them, for they at least know Yahweh's ways, the decrees of their God.” 6So a lion from a thicket will attack them. A wolf from the Arabah will ruin them. 7Why should I pardon these people? 8They were horses in heat. They roamed about wanting to mate. Each man neighed to his neighbor's wife. 9So should I not punish them—this is Yahweh's declaration— 10Go up onto her vineyards' terraces and destroy. But do not bring complete destruction to them. 11For the houses of Israel and Judah have completely betrayed me—this is Yahweh's declaration. 12They have spoken falsely about Yahweh and they said, “He will do nothing; 13The prophets will become wind, the word is not in them, so let what they say be done to them.” 14So Yahweh, the God of hosts says this, “Because you have said this, see, 15Behold! I am about to bring a nation against you from far away, house of Israel—this is Yahweh's declaration— 16Its quiver is like an open tomb. They are all soldiers. 17So your harvest will be consumed, your sons and daughters also, and your food. 18But even in those days—this is Yahweh's declaration—I do not intend to destroy you completely. 19When you, Israel and Judah, say, 'Why has Yahweh our God done all these things to us?' then you, Jeremiah, will say to them, 'Just as you abandoned Yahweh and served foreign gods in your land, so you must also serve strangers in a land that is not your own.' 20Report this to the house of Jacob and let it be heard in Judah. Say, 21'Hear this, you foolish people who have no understanding; 22Do you not fear me—this is Yahweh's declaration—or tremble before my face? 23But this people has a stubborn heart. It turns away in rebellion and goes away. 24For they do not say in their hearts, “Let us fear Yahweh our God, the one who brings the rain 25Your iniquities kept these things from happening. Your sins have stopped good from coming to you. 26For wicked men are found with my people. They watch as someone crouches to capture birds; 27Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit. 28They have become fat; they shine with well-being. They crossed over all bounds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause of the people, 29Should I not punish them for these things—this is Yahweh's declaration— 30Atrocities and horrors have occurred in the land.