Jeremiah 6:16–20

Thus says the Lord:

“Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

I set watchmen over you, saying,

‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’

But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’

Therefore hear, O nations,

and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.

Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,

the fruit of their devices,

because they have not paid attention to my words;

and as for my law, they have rejected it.

What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba,

or sweet cane from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,

nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.

This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls.

But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

I appointed watchmen over you and said,

‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’

But you said, ‘We will not listen.’

Therefore hear, you nations;

you who are witnesses,

observe what will happen to them.

Hear, you earth:

I am bringing disaster on this people,

the fruit of their schemes,

because they have not listened to my words

and have rejected my law.

What do I care about incense from Sheba

or sweet calamus from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;

your sacrifices do not please me.”

This is what the Lord says:

Stand by the roadways and look.

Ask about the ancient paths,

“Which is the way to what is good?”

Then take it

and find rest for yourselves.

But they protested, “We won’t!”

I appointed watchmen over you

and said, “Listen for the sound of the trumpet.”

But they protested, “We won’t listen!”

Therefore listen, you nations

and you witnesses,

learn what the charge is against them.

Listen, earth!

I am about to bring disaster on these people,

the fruit of their own plotting,

for they have paid no attention to my words.

They have rejected my instruction.

What use to me is frankincense from Sheba

or sweet cane from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;

your sacrifices do not please me.

This is what the Lord says:

“Stop at the crossroads and look around.

Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.

Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.

But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

I posted watchmen over you who said,

‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’

But you replied,

‘No! We won’t pay attention!’

“Therefore, listen to this, all you nations.

Take note of my people’s situation.

Listen, all the earth!

I will bring disaster on my people.

It is the fruit of their own schemes,

because they refuse to listen to me.

They have rejected my word.

There’s no use offering me sweet frankincense from Sheba.

Keep your fragrant calamus imported from distant lands!

I will not accept your burnt offerings.

Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma for me.”

Thus says Yahweh: “Stand at the roads and look,

and ask for the ancient paths, where the way of the good is,

and walk in it, and find rest for your inner selves.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

And I raised up watchmen over you:

‘Listen attentively to the sound of a horn.’

But they said, ‘We will not listen attentively.’

Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O community,

what will happen to them.

Hear, O earth,

look, I am about to bring disaster to this people,

the fruit of their plans,

because they have not listened attentively to my words,

and my teaching, they have rejected it also.

What is this to me?

Frankincense comes from Sheba,

and the precious spice reed from a distant land.

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,

your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”

Thus saith the Lord, 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. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. 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, nor to my law, but rejected it. To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.