^{15 Ref} Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah.

^{16 Ref} Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk `therein'.

^{17 Ref} And I set watchmen over you, `saying', Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken.

^{18 Ref} Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.

^{19 Ref} Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.

^{20 Ref} To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me.

^{21 Ref} Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people; and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.

^{22 Ref} Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, a people cometh from the north country; and a great nation shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.

^{23 Ref} They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Zion.

^{24 Ref} We have heard the report thereof; our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, `and' pangs as of a woman in travail.

^{25 Ref} Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy, `and' terror, are on every side.

^{26 Ref} O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the destroyer shall suddenly come upon us.

^{27 Ref} I have made thee a trier `and' a fortress among my people; that thou mayest know and try their way.

^{28 Ref} They are all grievous revolters, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly.

^{29 Ref} The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away.

^{30 Ref} Refuse silver shall men them, because Jehovah hath rejected them.