Jeremiah 6:19–27

¹⁹Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.↗

²⁰To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”↗

²¹Therefore the LORD says, “Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people. The fathers and the sons together will stumble against them. The neighbor and his friend will perish.”↗

²²The LORD says, “Behold, a people comes from the north country. A great nation will be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.↗

²³They take hold of bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Zion.”↗

²⁴We have heard its report. Our hands become feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, and pains as of a woman in labor.↗

²⁵Don’t go out into the field or walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and terror are on every side.↗

²⁶Daughter of my people, clothe yourself with sackcloth, and wallow in ashes! Mourn, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation, for the destroyer will suddenly come on us.↗

²⁷“I have made you a tester of metals and a fortress among my people, that you may know and try their way.↗