Yetlet noonefindfault,and let noneofferreproof;For your peopleare like those who contendwith the priest.
Then they said,"Comeand let us deviseplansagainstJeremiah.Surelythe lawis not going to be lostto the priest,norcounselto the sage,northe [divine] wordto the prophet!Comeon and let us strikeat him with [our] tongue,and let us givenoheedto anyof his words."
"Moreover, I will make your tonguestickto the roofof your mouthso that you will be muteand cannotbe a manwho rebukesthem, for they are a rebellioushouse.
Ephraimis joinedto idols;Lethim alone.
They hatehim who reprovesin the gate,And they abhorhim who speaks[with] integrity.
Thereforeat sucha timethe prudentperson keepssilent,for it is an eviltime.
Then one's uncle,or his undertaker,will lifthim up to carryout [his] bonesfrom the house,and he will sayto the one whois in the innermostpartof the house,"Is anyone elsewith you?" And that one will say,"Noone."Then he will answer,"Keepquiet.For the nameof the LORDis not to be mentioned."
"The manwhoactspresumptuouslyby not listeningto the priestwho standsthereto servethe LORDyour God,norto the judge,that manshall die;thus you shall purgethe evilfrom Israel.
