21. How long must I see the battle flagsand hear the blast of the trumpet?
22. My people are foolish.They don’t even know me!They are thoughtless childrenwithout understanding;they are skilled at doing wrong,inept at doing right.
23. I looked at the earth,and it was without shape or form;at the heavensand there was no light.
24. I looked at the mountainsand they were quaking;all the hills were rocking back and forth.
25. I looked and there was no one left;every bird in the sky had taken flight.
26. I looked and the fertile land was a desert;all its towns were in ruinsbefore the Lord, before his fury.
27. The Lord proclaims:The whole earth will become a desolation,but I will not destroy it completely.
28. Therefore, the earth will grieveand the heavens grow darkbecause I have declared my planand will neither change my mindnor cancel the plan.
29. As the horsemen and archers approach,the people take flight.They hide in the bushesand escape to the cliffs.Every city is deserted;no one remains.
30. And you, devastated one,why dress up in scarlet,deck yourself in gold jewelry,and color your eyes with paint?In vain you get all decked out;your lovers have rejected youand now seek your life.
31. I hear the cry of a woman in labor,the distress of one delivering her first child.It is the cry of Daughter Zion,gasping for breath,her arms stretched out,and moaning,"I’m about to fall into the hands of murderers!"