Jeremiah:13

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* Thus the LORD said to me : "Go and get yourself a linen sash , and put it around your waist , but do not put it in water ." * So I got a sash according to the word of the LORD , and put it around my waist . * And the word of the LORD came to me the second time , saying , * "Take the sash that you acquired , which is around your waist , and arise , go to the Euphrates , and hide it there in a hole in the rock ." * So I went and hid it by the Euphrates , as the LORD commanded me . * Now it came to pass after many days that the LORD said to me , "Arise , go to the Euphrates , and take from there the sash which I commanded you to hide there ." * Then I went to the Euphrates and dug , and I took the sash from the place where I had hidden it ; and there was the sash , ruined . It was profitable for nothing . * Then the word of the LORD came to me , saying , * "Thus says the LORD : "In this manner I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem . * This evil people , who refuse to hear My words , who follow the dictates of their hearts , and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them , shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing . * For as the sash clings to the waist of a man , so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me ,' says the LORD , "that they may become My people , for renown , for praise , and for glory ; but they would not hear .' * "Therefore you shall speak to them this word : "Thus says the LORD God of Israel : "Every bottle shall be filled with wine ."' "And they will say to you , "Do we not certainly know that every bottle will be filled with wine ?' * "Then you shall say to them , "Thus says the LORD : "Behold , I will fill all the inhabitants of this land--even the kings who sit on David 's throne , the priests , the prophets , and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem--with drunkenness ! * And I will dash them one against another , even the fathers and the sons together ," says the LORD . "I will not pity nor spare nor have mercy , but will destroy them .""' * Hear and give ear : Do not be proud , For the LORD has spoken . * Give glory to the LORD your God Before He causes darkness , And before your feet stumble On the dark mountains , And while you are looking for light , He turns it into the shadow of death And makes it dense darkness . * But if you will not hear it , My soul will weep in secret for your pride ; My eyes will weep bitterly And run down with tears , Because the LORD 's flock has been taken captive . * Say to the king and to the queen mother , "Humble yourselves ; Sit down , For your rule shall collapse , the crown of your glory ." * The cities of the South shall be shut up , And no one shall open them ; Judah shall be carried away captive , all of it ; It shall be wholly carried away captive . * Lift up your eyes and see Those who come from the north . Where is the flock that was given to you , Your beautiful sheep ? * What will you say when He punishes you ? For you have taught them To be chieftains , to be head over you . Will not pangs seize you , Like a woman in labor ? * And if you say in your heart , "Why have these things come upon me ?" For the greatness of your iniquity Your skirts have been uncovered , Your heels made bare . * Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots ? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil . * "Therefore I will scatter them like stubble That passes away by the wind of the wilderness . * This is your lot , The portion of your measures from Me ," says the LORD , "Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood . * Therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face , That your shame may appear . * I have seen your adulteries And your lustful neighings , The lewdness of your harlotry , Your abominations on the hills in the fields . Woe to you , O Jerusalem ! Will you still not be made clean ?"

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