Jeremiah 6:17-27

17 Also I raised up sentinels for you: "Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!" But they said, "We will not give heed."
18 Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
19 Hear, O earth; I am going to bring disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not given heed to my words; and as for my teaching, they have rejected it.
20 Of what use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.
21 Therefore thus says the Lord: See, I am laying before this people stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble; parents and children together, neighbor and friend shall perish.
22 Thus says the Lord: See, a people is coming from the land of the north, a great nation is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth.
23 They grasp the bow and the javelin, they are cruel and have no mercy, their sound is like the roaring sea; they ride on horses, equipped like a warrior for battle, against you, O daughter Zion!
24 "We have heard news of them, our hands fall helpless; anguish has taken hold of us, pain as of a woman in labor.
25 Do not go out into the field, or walk on the road; for the enemy has a sword, terror is on every side."
26 O my poor people, put on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only child, most bitter lamentation: for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.
27 I have made you a tester and a refiner among my people so that you may know and test their ways.

Footnotes 1

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.