All the nations are insignificant before him; they are regarded as absolutely nothing.

Look, you are nothing, and your accomplishments are nonexistent; the one who chooses to worship you is disgusting.

The Lord wanted to exhibit his justice by magnifying his law and displaying it.

Shake off the dirt! Get up, captive Jerusalem! Take off the iron chains around your neck, O captive daughter Zion!

“Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you!

He said, “Certainly they will be my people, children who are not disloyal.” He became their deliverer.

Our holy temple, our pride and joy, the place where our ancestors praised you, has been burned with fire; all our prized possessions have been destroyed.

Be amazed at this, O heavens! Be shocked and utterly dumbfounded,” says the Lord.

Even the soldiers from Memphis and Tahpanhes have cracked your skulls, people of Israel.

“Oh people of Jerusalem, purify your hearts from evil so that you may yet be delivered. How long will you continue to harbor up wicked schemes within you?

“I looked at the land and saw that it was an empty wasteland. I looked up at the sky, and its light had vanished.

They are like lusty, well-fed stallions. Each of them lusts after his neighbor’s wife.

I reported, “All of them are the most stubborn of rebels! They are as hard as bronze or iron. They go about telling lies. They all deal corruptly.

The Lord says, “Watch out! The time is soon coming when I will punish all those who are circumcised only in the flesh.

I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder. I will give it away free of charge for the sins you have committed throughout your land.

My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.

The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it?

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

Cursed be the day I was born! May that day not be blessed when my mother gave birth to me.

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.