Jeremiah 5:7-20

New International Version

⁷ “Why should I forgive you?
    Your children have forsaken me
    and sworn^(A) by gods that are not gods.^(B)
I supplied all their needs,
    yet they committed adultery^(C)
    and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.^(D)
8 They are well-fed, lusty stallions,
    each neighing for another man’s wife.^(E)
9 Should I not punish them for this?”^(F)
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge^(G) myself
    on such a nation as this?

¹⁰ “Go through her vineyards and ravage them,
    but do not destroy them completely.^(H)
Strip off her branches,
    for these people do not belong to the Lord.
¹¹ The people of Israel and the people of Judah
    have been utterly unfaithful^(I) to me,”
declares the Lord.

¹² They have lied^(J) about the Lord;
    they said, “He will do nothing!
No harm will come to us;^(K)
    we will never see sword or famine.^(L)
13 The prophets^(M) are but wind^(N)
    and the word is not in them;
    so let what they say be done to them.”

“Because the people have spoken these words,
    I will make my words in your mouth^(O) a fire^(P)
    and these people the wood it consumes.^(Q)
15 People of Israel,” declares the Lord,
    “I am bringing a distant nation^(R) against you—
an ancient and enduring nation,
    a people whose language^(S) you do not know,
    whose speech you do not understand.
¹⁶ Their quivers^(T) are like an open grave;
    all of them are mighty warriors.
¹⁷ They will devour^(U) your harvests and food,
    devour^(V) your sons and daughters;
they will devour^(W) your flocks and herds,
    devour your vines and fig trees.^(X)
With the sword^(Y) they will destroy
    the fortified cities^(Z) in which you trust.^(AA)

²⁰ “Announce this to the descendants of Jacob
    and proclaim^(AF) it in Judah: