5 They wear themselves out,always looking for a new wayto cheat their friends.
6 Everyone takes advantageof everyone else,and no one will admitthat I am God.
7 And so I will purifythe hearts of my peoplejust as gold is purifiedin a furnace.I have no other choice.
8 They say they want peace,but this lie is deadly,like an arrow that strikeswhen you least expect it.
9 Give me one good reasonnot to punish themas they deserve.I, the Lord All-Powerful,have spoken.
10 I weep for the pasture landin the hill country.It's so barren and scorchedthat no one travels there.No cattle can be found there,and birds and wild animalshave all disappeared.
11 I heard the Lord reply,“When I have finished,Jerusalem and the towns of Judahwill be piles of ruinswhere only jackals live.”