Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.

I do not keep company with worthless people; I have nothing to do with hypocrites.

I hate the company of the evil and avoid the wicked.

And so the Lord says, "You must leave them and separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with what is unclean, and I will accept you.

If you will not listen, I will cry in secret because of your pride; I will cry bitterly, and my tears will flow because the LORD's people have been taken away as captives.

When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience;

but God's spirit entered me and raised me to my feet. The LORD said to me, "Go home and shut yourself up in the house.

You will be tied with ropes, mortal man, and you will not be able to go out in public.

This is the end of the account. I was so frightened that I turned pale, and I kept everything to myself.

Today I give you authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."

Your anger against them burns in me too, LORD, and I can't hold it in any longer." Then the LORD said to me, "Pour out my anger on the children in the streets and on the gatherings of the young people. Husbands and wives will be taken away, and even the very old will not be spared.

Whenever I speak, I have to cry out and shout, "Violence! Destruction!" LORD, I am ridiculed and scorned all the time because I proclaim your message.

But when I say, "I will forget the LORD and no longer speak in his name," then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.