Jeremiah’s message from YAH

1“O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.” Coming Judgment against Judah 3¶This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the LORD,fn or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. 5“Shout to Judah, and broadcast to Jerusalem! Tell them to sound the alarm throughout the land: ‘Run for your lives! Flee to the fortified cities!’ 6Raise a signal flag as a warning for Jerusalemfn: ‘Flee now! Do not delay!’ For I am bringing terrible destruction upon you from the north.” 7A lion stalks from its den, a destroyer of nations. It has left its lair and is headed your way. It’s going to devastate your land! Your towns will lie in ruins, with no one living in them anymore. 8So put on clothes of mourning and weep with broken hearts, for the fierce anger of the LORD is still upon us. 9“In that day,” says the LORD, “the king and the officials will tremble in fear. The priests will be struck with horror, and the prophets will be appalled.” 10Then I said, “O Sovereign LORD, the people have been deceived by what you said, for you promised peace for Jerusalem. But the sword is held at their throats!” 11The time is coming when the LORD will say to the people of Jerusalem, “My dear people, a burning wind is blowing in from the desert, and it’s not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain. 12It is a roaring blast sent by me! Now I will pronounce your destruction!” 13Our enemy rushes down on us like storm clouds! His chariots are like whirlwinds. His horses are swifter than eagles. H