16 Yahweh says this:

Stand at the crossroads and look,

and ask about the ancient paths.

‘Where is the path of the good?’ Then walk along it

and find rest for your spirit.

But they say, ‘We won’t walk on it.’

17 I set watchmen over you.

Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet,

But they said, ‘We won’t pay attention.’

18 Therefore listen you nations,

≈ and you congregation, know what will happen to them.

19 Listen, you earth.

Yes, I will bring disaster to this people—

the fruit of their own plans

because they paid no attention to my messages

≈ and they rejected my instructions.

20 What difference does it make to me if they burn frankincense that came from Sheva?

≈ Or if they have good cane from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings aren’t acceptable,

≈ and your sacrifices don’t please me.

21 So Yahweh says this:

Listen, I’ll give this group of people a stumbling block,

and they’ll trip over it—

fathers and sons together,

≈ both a neighbour and his friend.