9. The Lord said,“When all this happens,the king and his officials,the prophets and the priestswill be shocked and terrified.”
10. I said, “You are the Lord God. So why have you fooled everyone, especially the people of Jerusalem? Why did you promise peace, when a knife is at our throats?”
11-12. When disaster comes, the Lord will tell you people of Jerusalem,“I am sending a stormfrom the desert—not a welcome breeze.And it will sweep you awayas punishment for your sins.
13. Look! The enemy armyswoops down like an eagle;their cavalry and chariotsrace faster than storm cloudsblown by the wind.”Then you will answer,“We are doomed!”
14. But Jerusalem, there is still timefor you to be saved.Wash the evil from your heartsand stop making sinful plans,
15. before a message of disasterarrives from the hills of Ephraimand the town of Dan.
16-17. The Lord said,“Tell the nations that my peoplehave rebelled against me.And so an army will comefrom far awayto surround Jerusalemand the towns of Judah.I, the Lord, have spoken.
18. “People of Judah,your hearts will be in pain,but it's your own faultthat you will be punished.”
19. I can't stand the pain!My heart pounds,as I twist and turn in agony.I hear the signal trumpetand the battle cry of the enemy,and I cannot be silent.
20. I see the enemy defeating ustime after time,leaving everything in ruins.Even my own homeis destroyed in a moment.
21. How long will I see enemy flagsand hear their trumpets?
22. I heard the Lord say,“My people ignore me.They are foolish childrenwho do not understandthat they will be punished.All they know is how to sin.”
23. After this, I looked around.The earth was barren,with no form of life.The sun, moon, and starshad disappeared.