You people of Israel, listen to what the Lord has to say to you.

And I cried out, “We are doomed! Our wound is severe! We once thought, ‘This is only an illness. And we will be able to bear it!’

“Hear the terms of the covenant I made with Israel and pass them on to the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem.

The Lord spoke to Jeremiah about the drought.

Wild donkeys stand on the hilltops and pant for breath like jackals. Their eyes are strained looking for food, because there is none to be found.”

I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you know nothing about. For my anger is like a fire that will burn against you.”

So I went down to the potter’s house and found him working at his wheel.

So their land will become an object of horror. People will forever hiss out their scorn over it. All who pass that way will be filled with horror and will shake their heads in derision.

But I will punish you as your deeds deserve,’ says the Lord. ‘I will set fire to your palace; it will burn up everything around it.’”

The answer will come back, “It is because they broke their covenant with the Lord their God and worshiped and served other gods.”

You will never come back to this land to which you will long to return!”

But just watch! The wrath of the Lord will come like a storm! Like a raging storm it will rage down on the heads of those who are wicked.

So I, the Lord, affirm that I am opposed to those prophets who steal messages from one another that they claim are from me.

I, the Lord, affirm that I am opposed to those prophets who are using their own tongues to declare, ‘The Lord declares….’

I will bring on you lasting shame and lasting disgrace which will never be forgotten!’”

The Lord told me, “Make a yoke out of leather straps and wooden crossbars and put it on your neck.

The prophet Hananiah then took the yoke off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck and broke it.

The descendants of Jacob will enjoy their former privileges. Their community will be reestablished in my favor and I will punish all who try to oppress them.

Just watch! The wrath of the Lord will come like a storm. Like a raging storm it will rage down on the heads of those who are wicked.

In a far-off land the Lord will manifest himself to them. He will say to them, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.