Why does Jerusalem perpetually slide? 
Hold fast to deceit 
Refuse to return? 

The wicked does not repent 
He turns to his course 
As a horse rushing to battle! 

The stork knows her times 
The swallow the time of her coming 
Yet my people know not My judgments. 

‘We are wise’ say they 
God’s law is with us! 
Vain is the pen of the scribe 
Who rejects My word! 

Wisdom is not in them 
They are covetous, all of them. 
Prophet and priest deal falsely.

‘Peace, peace’ they say, 
when there is no peace. 
They have no shame 
They do not blush

They shall fall in the time of visitation.
No grapes on the vine 
No figs! Even the leaves shall fade.
I will give them gall to drink
Because they have sinned.
 
They look for peace. No peace! 
Am I not Zion’s king? 
Why does she provoke me with her idols 
In the chambers of her imagery?

The harvest is past, the summer is ended 
And they are not saved! 
Is there balm in Gilead?

Is there a physician there? 
Why then is the daughter of my people 
not recovered?