ack by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to
return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man
repenteth him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one
turneth to his course, as a horse that rusheth headlong in the battle.
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle
and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my
people know not the ordinance of the LORD. How do ye say, We are wise,
and the law of the LORD is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the
scribes hath wrought falsely. The wise men are ashamed, they are
dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and
what manner of wisdom is in them? Therefore will I give their wives unto
others, and their fields to them that shall possess them: for every one
from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the
prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. And they have
healed the hurt of the daughter of my people lightly, saying, Peace,
peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed
abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they
blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of
their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. I will utterly
consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor
figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I
have given them shall pass away from them.

THE PEOPLE

Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the
defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath
put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have
sinned against the LORD. We looked for peace, but no good came; and for
a time of healing, and behold dismay! The snorting of his horses is
heard from Dan: at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones the
whole land trembleth; for they are come, and have devoured the land and
all that is in it; the city and those that dwell therein.

THE LORD

For, behold, I will send serpents, basilisks, among you, which will not
be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.

THE PROPHET

Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! my heart is faint within
me. Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a
land that is very far off--

THE PEOPLE

Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her King