Beware of cowards, O people of Jerusalem; beware of traitors in the pay of the enemy.
What promise does he bring? Where is God's word? He speaks for Babylon and for Baal.
No, no.--His words are just.--There is much truth in what he says.--Let him deliver his message.--Dreams.--Where is the promise?--Go on.--We want to hear him too.
Why do you awaken the ravening beast with your shouts. Why do you summon the king of the north to your city? Why do you clamor for war, men of Jerusalem? Did you beget your sons for slaughter, and your daughters for shame? Did you build your houses for destruction by fire, and your walls for the battering ram? Bethink thee, Israel; call a halt ere thou runnest into the darkness, Jerusalem. Is thy slavery so hard, are thy sorrows beyond assuagement? Look around. God's sun shines over the land; the vines bloom in peace; lovers walk happily together; children play unhindered; the moon shines gently over the sleep of Jerusalem. Fire and water keep their appointed places, the storehouses are well filled, and God has his spacious mansion. Say, Israel, is it not well with thee within the walls of Zion; art thou not blithe in the valleys of Sharon; art thou not happy by the blue waters of Jordan? Let it suffice thee to live at peace under God's tranquil gaze. Hold fast to peace, people of Jerusalem.
His words are just! Hail unto him. His speech is golden.
Yes, he has been bribed.--No, his words are just.--Peace.--We want peace.--He is a traitor.--He is in the pay of Ashur.--Let him speak.--No, Hananiah is right.--Let us listen to Hananiah.
Away with you, away. Go, talk to Samaria, the land of slaves. Deliver your message to Moab, or to the uncircumcised, but not to Israel, God's first-born among the nations.
[Menacingly, to JEREMIAH] Answer me, in face of the people. Is our slavery to endure? Are we still to pay tribute to Chaldea? Answer me, traitor.
Yes, yes.--Answer.--Speak.--Are we to go on paying tribute?--Answer.
Loudly do I speak my mind before the people. It is better to pay tribute of gold to the enemy than tribute of blood to war. It is better to be wise than powerful; it is better to be the servant of God than the ruler of men.
Man of servile obedience, slave of Chaldea, will you deny God's word which commandeth war against the oppressor; will you deny his holy word?