As smoke is driven away by the wind, so you drive them away. As wax melts before fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God.

They will perish, but you will endure. They will wear out like a garment; like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear.

When the wicked see this, they will worry; they will grind their teeth in frustration and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.

I have wandered off like a lost sheep. Come looking for your servant, for I do not forget your commands.

As a demonstration of your loyal love, destroy my enemies! Annihilate all who threaten my life, for I am your servant.

The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

Then that wealth was lost through bad luck; although he fathered a son, he has nothing left to give him.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

Look, all who were angry at you will be ashamed and humiliated; your adversaries will be reduced to nothing and perish.

Indeed, nations or kingdoms that do not serve you will perish; such nations will be totally destroyed.

But I will completely uproot and destroy any of those nations that will not pay heed,’” says the Lord.

The Lord continued, “In every town in the land I will purge them like straw blown away by the wind. I will destroy my people. I will kill off their children. I will do so because they did not change their behavior.

There are times, Jeremiah, when I threaten to uproot, tear down, and destroy a nation or kingdom.

The Lord says, “The leaders of my people are sure to be judged. They were supposed to watch over my people like shepherds watch over their sheep. But they are causing my people to be destroyed and scattered.

Moab, you are doomed! You people who worship Chemosh will be destroyed. Your sons will be taken away captive. Your daughters will be carried away into exile.

I will establish my sovereignty over Elam. I will destroy their king and their leaders,” says the Lord.

“‘When she realized that she waited in vain, her hope was lost. She took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey – shedding blood and destroying lives – so they can get dishonest profit.

Be distressed, farmers; wail, vinedressers, over the wheat and the barley. For the harvest of the field has perished.

Fast runners will find no place to hide; strong men will have no strength left; warriors will not be able to save their lives.