Jeremiah 16.19-17.14
O god, my strength, my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of trouble; the nations shall come to You from the ends of the earth, and say: “Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity, and things without profit.” Can a man make gods for himself? They are no gods. Therefore, behold, I will make them known; this once I will show them My hand and My might; and they shall know that My name is God.
Judah’s sin is written with a pen of iron, with a point of diamond. It is engraved on the tablets of their hearts, and on the horns of your altars. Like the symbols of their sons are their altars, and their asherim are by the leafy trees upon the high hills. O you mountain dweller in the field, I will give your substance and all your treasures for spoils, as well as your high places, because of sin throughout all your borders. You shall abandon your heritage that I gave you; and I will make you serve your enemies in the land which you do not know; for you have kindled a fire in My nostril, which shall burn forever.
Thus says God: Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, whose heart departs from God. He shall be like a tamarisk in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, an uninhabited salt land.
Blessed is the man who trusts in God and whose trust is God. He shall be like a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, for its foliage shall be luxuriant; and shall not be anxious in the year of drought. Neither shall it cease from yielding fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly weak – who can understand it? I, God, search the heart; I test the inner self, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
Like the partridge that broods over young which she does not hatch, so is the one who gets riches by unjust means. He shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end he shall be a fool.
The place of sanctuary is Your glorious throne. O God, You hope of Israel. All the forsake You shall be shamed: those who depart from You shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken God. The fountain of living waters.
Heal me, O God, and I shall be healed: save me, and I shall be saved; for You are my praise.