22. Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation is stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
23. They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as a man for the battle, against thee, daughter of Zion.
24. We have heard the report thereof: our hands are grown feeble; anguish hath taken hold of us, pain as of a woman that travaileth.
25. Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for there is the sword of the enemy, terror is on every side.
26. Daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and roll thyself in ashes: make mourning, as for an only son--bitter lamentation; for the spoiler cometh suddenly upon us.
27. I have set thee among my people as an assayer, a fortress, that thou mayest know and try their way.
28. They are all the most rebellious of rebels, going about with slander: they are bronze and iron; they are all corrupters.
29. The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed by the fire; they have melted, and melted in vain; and the bad are not plucked away.
30. Reprobate silver shall they call them, for Jehovah hath rejected them.