The Heart of the Matter

Jerimiah 7

Hear the word of the Lord, this is what I say, says the Lord of Hosts. Amend you ways and your doings and I will cause you to live in this place.

Do not trust in lying words. For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute fairness between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless and thw widow and do not shed blood or walk after other gods to your own hurt.

Then I will cause you to live in this place of your inheritance forever.

Listen too me, you have been trusting in lying words that cannot profit.

Why will you steal, murder, commit adultery and swear falsely, and burn incense and walk after other gods that you do not understand neither do they understand.

And then you come and stand before me and say, we are delivered even though we do abominations.

Behold, I have seen you do it, even though you didn't think I saw.

Therefore, do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to me; for I will not hear you.

Do you not see what they do in the cities and in the streets?

Therfore hear the word of the Lord: behold My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place--on man and beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be quenched.

This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor recieve correction.

Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.

Cut off your hair and cast it away and take up lamentation.

The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of heaven and for the beasts of the earth. And no one will frighten them away.