What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth?

I have observed the burden that God has given to people to keep them occupied.

Surely the king’s authority is absolute; no one can say to him, “What are you doing?”

When you enter my presence, do you actually think I want this – animals trampling on my courtyards?

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.

At that time the sovereign master will remove their beautiful ankle jewelry, neck ornaments, crescent shaped ornaments,

You counted the houses in Jerusalem, and demolished houses so you could have material to reinforce the wall.

This also comes from the Lord who commands armies, who gives supernatural guidance and imparts great wisdom.

For these are rebellious people – they are lying children, children unwilling to obey the Lord’s law.

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

Look, my earlier predictive oracles have come to pass; now I announce new events. Before they begin to occur, I reveal them to you.”

“But you did not call for me, O Jacob; you did not long for me, O Israel.

They will surround Jerusalem like men guarding a field because they have rebelled against me,” says the Lord.

“‘Do not go to a house where people are feasting and sit down to eat and drink with them either.

You should have reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth who is pretending to be a prophet among you!

Then Jeremiah told Baruch, “I am no longer allowed to go into the Lord’s temple.

On the day after Gedaliah had been murdered, before anyone even knew about it,

“You must not disobey the Lord your God by saying, ‘We will not stay in this land.’

Bring us back to yourself, O Lord, so that we may return to you; renew our life as in days before,

“‘Therefore this is what the sovereign Lord says: Because you think you are godlike,