"Wouldthat they were wise,that they understoodthis,That they would discerntheir future!
Let them givethanksto the LORDfor His lovingkindness,And for His wondersto the sonsof men!
Whois wise?Let him giveheedto thesethings,And considerthe lovingkindnessesof the LORD.
"Ohthat My peoplewould listento Me, That Israelwould walkin My ways!
Soteachus to numberour days,That we may presentto You a heartof wisdom.
Now whatwill you doin the dayof punishment,And in the devastationwhich will comefrom afar?To whomwill you fleefor help?And wherewill you leaveyour wealth?
Whoamong you will giveearto this?Who will giveheedand listenhereafter?
"Yet you said,I will be a queenforever.'Thesethingsyou did not considerNorrememberthe outcomeof them.
"As a partridgethat hatcheseggswhich it has not laid,[So] is he who makesa fortune,but unjustly;In the midstof his daysit will forsakehim, And in the endhe will be a fool."
The prophetsprophesyfalsely,And the priestsruleon their [own] authority;And My peopleloveit so!But whatwill you doat the endof it?
Her uncleannesswas in her skirts;She did not considerher future.Therefore she has fallenastonishingly;She hasnocomforter."See,O LORD,my affliction,For the enemyhas magnifiedhimself!"
Whoeveris wise,let him understandthesethings;[Whoever] is discerning,let him knowthem. For the waysof the LORDare right,And the righteouswill walkin them, But transgressorswill stumblein them.
Do considerfrom thisdayonward,from the twenty-fourthdayof the ninth[month]; from the daywhenthe templeof the LORDwas founded,consider:
"But Godsaidto him, 'You fool!This[very] nightyour soulis requiredof you; and [now] whowill own whatyou have prepared?'
"For I knowthat aftermy deathyou will actcorruptlyand turnfrom the waywhichI have commandedyou; and evilwill befallyou in the latterdays,for you will dothat whichis evilin the sightof the LORD,provokingHim to angerwith the workof your hands."
Ohthat they hadsucha heartin them, that they would fearMe and keepallMy commandmentsalways,that it may be wellwith them and with their sonsforever!
