12. This is what the Holy One of Israel says:You have rejected this warning,trusted oppression and deceit,and leaned on them.
13. That is why your sin will belike a high wall with a bulging crack, ready to fall.All of a sudden it will fall.
14. It will break like pottery.It will be smashed, and nothing will be left of it.No piece will be big enough to carry live coals from a fireplaceor to dip water from a reservoir.
15. This is what the Almighty Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:You can be saved by returning to me.You can have rest.You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me.But you don’t want that.
16. You’ve said, “No, we’ll flee on horses.”So you flee.You’ve added, “We’ll ride on fast horses.”So those who chase you will also be fast.
17. One thousand people will flee when one person threatens them,and you will flee when five threaten you.Then you will be left alonelike a flagpole on top of a mountain,like a signpost on a hill.
18. The Lord is waiting to be kind to you.He rises to have compassion on you.The Lord is a God of justice.Blessed are all those who wait for him.
19. You will live in Zion, in Jerusalem. You won’t cry anymore. The Lord will certainly have pity on you when you cry for help. As soon as he hears you, he will answer you.
20. The Lord may give you troubles and hardships. But your teacher will no longer be hidden from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.