Jeremiah 5:19-31

New International Version

²⁰ “Announce this to the descendants of Jacob
    and proclaim^(D) it in Judah:
²¹ Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,^(E)
    who have eyes^(F) but do not see,
    who have ears but do not hear:^(G)
22 Should you not fear^(H) me?” declares the Lord.
    “Should you not tremble^(I) in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,^(J)
    an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
    they may roar,^(K) but they cannot cross it.
²³ But these people have stubborn and rebellious^(L) hearts;
    they have turned aside^(M) and gone away.
²⁴ They do not say to themselves,
    ‘Let us fear^(N) the Lord our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains^(O) in season,
    who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’^(P)
25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away;
    your sins have deprived you of good.^(Q)

²⁶ “Among my people are the wicked^(R)
    who lie in wait^(S) like men who snare birds
    and like those who set traps^(T) to catch people.
²⁷ Like cages full of birds,
    their houses are full of deceit;^(U)
they have become rich^(V) and powerful
²⁸     and have grown fat^(W) and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
    they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;^(X)
    they do not defend the just cause of the poor.^(Y)
29 Should I not punish them for this?”
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge^(Z) myself
    on such a nation as this?

³⁰ “A horrible^(AA) and shocking thing
    has happened in the land:
³¹ The prophets prophesy lies,^(AB)
    the priests^(AC) rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
    But what will you do in the end?^(AD)