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.”

For the honor of your name, do not treat Jerusalem with contempt. Do not treat with disdain the place where your glorious throne sits. Be mindful of your covenant with us. Do not break it!

For whenever I prophesy, I must cry out, “Violence and destruction are coming!” This message from the Lord has made me an object of continual insults and derision.

He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. So things went well for Judah.’ The Lord says, ‘That is a good example of what it means to know me.’

I will punish any prophet, priest, or other person who says “The Lord’s message is burdensome.” I will punish both that person and his whole family.’”

Alas, what a terrible time of trouble it is! There has never been any like it. It is a time of trouble for the descendants of Jacob, but some of them will be rescued out of it.

But I will most surely heal the wounds of this city and restore it and its people to health. I will show them abundant peace and security.

Nor will the Levitical priests ever lack someone to stand before me and continually offer up burnt offerings, sacrifice cereal offerings, and offer the other sacrifices.”’”

But I will rescue you when it happens. I, the Lord, affirm it! You will not be handed over to those whom you fear.

A drought will come upon her land; her rivers and canals will be dried up. All of this will happen because her land is filled with idols. Her people act like madmen because of those idols they fear.

“Babylon must fall because of the Israelites she has killed, just as the earth’s mortally wounded fell because of Babylon.

ו (Vav) All of Daughter Zion’s splendor has departed. Her leaders became like deer; they found no pasture, so they were too exhausted to escape from the hunter.

א (Alef)Alas! Gold has lost its luster; pure gold loses value. Jewels are scattered on every street corner.

ל (Lamed) Neither the kings of the earth nor the people of the lands ever thought that enemy or foe would enter the gates of Jerusalem.

They will wear sackcloth, terror will cover them; shame will be on all their faces, and all of their heads will be shaved bald.

You will die by the sword; I will judge you at the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Then you will remember, be ashamed, and remain silent when I make atonement for all you have done, declares the sovereign Lord.’”

As for his father, because he practices extortion, robs his brother, and does what is not good among his people, he will die for his iniquity.

A total ruin I will make it! It will come to an end when the one arrives to whom I have assigned judgment.’

Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lip or eat food brought by others.