"Yetin spite of allthisher treacheroussisterJudahdid not returnto Me with allher heart,but ratherin deception,"declaresthe LORD.
Josiahremovedallthe abominationsfrom allthe landsbelonging to the sonsof Israel,and made allwho were presentin Israelto servethe LORDtheir God.Throughouthis lifetimethey did not turnfrom followingthe LORDGodof their fathers.
As soon as they hear,they obeyme; Foreignerssubmitto me.
Sayto God,"Howawesomeare Your works!Because of the greatnessof Your powerYour enemieswill givefeignedobedienceto You.
I sendit against a godlessnationAnd commissionit againstthe peopleof My furyTo capturebootyand to seizeplunder,And to tramplethem downlike mudin the streets.
Then the Lordsaid,"Becausethispeopledrawnearwith their wordsAnd honorMe with their lipservice,But they removetheir heartsfarfrom Me, And their reverencefor Me consistsof traditionlearned[by rote],
Returnto Him from whomyou have deeplydefected,O sonsof Israel.
"They have turnedbackto the iniquitiesof their ancestorswhorefusedto hearMy words,and they have goneafterothergodsto servethem; the houseof Israeland the houseof Judahhave brokenMy covenantwhichI madewith their fathers."
You have plantedthem, they have alsotakenroot;They grow,they have evenproducedfruit.You are nearto their lipsBut farfrom their mind.
Ohthat my headwere watersAnd my eyesa fountainof tears,That I might weepdayand nightFor the slainof the daughterof my people!
And they do not cryto Me from their heartWhenthey wailon their beds;For the sakeof grainand newwinethey assemblethemselves, They turnawayfrom Me.
"I smoteyou with scorching[wind] and mildew;And the caterpillarwas devouringYour manygardensand vineyards,figtreesand olivetrees;Yet you have not returnedto Me," declaresthe LORD.
"Judahhas dealttreacherously,and an abominationhas been committedin Israeland in Jerusalem;for Judahhas profanedthe sanctuaryof the LORDwhichHe lovesand has marriedthe daughterof a foreigngod.
