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12-13 Then they will offer sacrifices to their other gods and ask them for help. After all, the people of Judah have more gods than towns, and more shameful altars for Baal than there are streets in Jerusalem. But those gods won't be able to rescue the people of Judah from disaster.

14 Jeremiah, don't pray for these people or beg me to rescue them. If you do, I won't listen, and I certainly won't listen if they pray!

15 Then the Lord told me to say to the people of Judah:

You are my chosen people,
    but you have no right
to be here in my temple,
    doing such evil things.
The sacrifices you offer me
won't protect you from disaster,
    so stop celebrating.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 11.15 celebrating: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 15.

13 You, Judah, have as many gods(A) as you have towns;(B) and the altars you have set up to burn incense(C) to that shameful(D) god Baal are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’

14 “Do not pray(E) for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen(F) when they call to me in the time of their distress.

15 “What is my beloved doing in my temple
    as she, with many others, works out her evil schemes?
    Can consecrated meat(G) avert your punishment?(H)
When you engage in your wickedness,
    then you rejoice.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 11:15 Or Could consecrated meat avert your punishment? / Then you would rejoice

13 For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.

14 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.

15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.

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