Baruch 4:1-11

1 She is the book of the commandments of God, the law that endures forever. All who hold her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die.
2 Turn, O Jacob, and take her; walk toward the shining of her light.
3 Do not give your glory to another, or your advantages to an alien people.
4 Happy are we, O Israel, for we know what is pleasing to God.
5 Take courage, my people, who perpetuate Israel's name!
6 It was not for destruction that you were sold to the nations, but you were handed over to your enemies because you angered God.
7 For you provoked the one who made you by sacrificing to demons and not to God.
8 You forgot the everlasting God, who brought you up, and you grieved Jerusalem, who reared you.
9 For she saw the wrath that came upon you from God, and she said: Listen, you neighbors of Zion, God has brought great sorrow upon me;
10 for I have seen the exile of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting brought upon them.
11 With joy I nurtured them, but I sent them away with weeping and sorrow.
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.