Jeremiah 9:23The MessageGod’s Message: “Don’t let the wise brag of their wisdom. Don’t let heroes brag of their exploits. Don’t let the rich brag of their riches. If you brag, brag of this and this only: That you understand and know me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things. These are my trademarks.” God’s Decree. * * * See the chapter |
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.
“‘They throw their money into the gutters. Their hard-earned cash stinks like garbage. They find that it won’t buy a thing they either want or need on Judgment Day. They tripped on money and fell into sin. Proud and pretentious with their jewels, they deck out their vile and vulgar no-gods in finery. I’ll make those god-obscenities a stench in their nostrils. I’ll give away their religious junk— strangers will pick it up for free, the godless spit on it and make jokes. I’ll turn my face so I won’t have to look as my treasured place and people are violated, As violent strangers walk in and desecrate place and people— A bloody massacre, as crime and violence fill the city. I’ll bring in the dregs of humanity to move into their houses. I’ll put a stop to the boasting and strutting of the high-and-mighty, And see to it that there’ll be nothing holy left in their holy places. Catastrophe descends. They look for peace, but there’s no peace to be found— Disaster on the heels of disaster, one rumor after another. They clamor for the prophet to tell them what’s up, but nobody knows anything. Priests don’t have a clue; the elders don’t know what to say. The king holds his head in despair; the prince is devastated. The common people are paralyzed. Gripped by fear, they can’t move. I’ll deal with them where they are, judge them on their terms. They’ll know that I am God.’”