1. If you return, Israel, return to me, declares the Lord.If you get rid of your disgusting idols from my presenceand wander no more,
2. and if you swear by the living Godin truth, justice, and righteousness,then the nations will enjoy God’s blessings;they will boast about him.
3. This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem:Break up your hard rocky soil;don’t plant among the thorns.
4. Dedicate yourselves to the Lord;don’t be thick-skinned,people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem,or else my anger will spread like a wildfire.It will burn, with no one to put it out,because of your evil deeds.
5. Announce in Judah,in Jerusalem proclaim,sound the alarm throughout the land,cry out and say,"Gather together!Let’s flee to the fortified towns!"
6. Set up a flag to Zion;take cover, don’t just stand there!I’m bringing disaster from the north,massive devastation.
7. A lion bursts out of the thicket;a destroyer of nations advances.He’s gone forth from his placeto ravage your land,to wipe out your towns,until no one is left.
8. So put on funeral clothing.Weep and wail,for the Lord’s fierce angerhasn’t turned away from us.
9. On that day, declares the Lord, the courage of the king and his princes will fail,the priests will be stunned,and the prophets will be shocked.
10. Then I said, "Lord God, no!You have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalemby promising them peaceeven though the sword is at their throats."
11. At that time, this people and Jerusalem will be told:A blistering wind from the bare heights;it rages in the desert toward my people,not merely to winnow or cleanse.