9. “This is what the Lord says: This is how I will destroy Judah’s arrogance and Jerusalem’s extreme arrogance.
10. These wicked people refuse to listen to me. They go their own stubborn ways and follow other gods in order to serve them and worship them. They are like this good-for-nothing belt.
11. As a belt clings to a person’s waist, so I have made the entire nation of Israel and the entire nation of Judah cling to me,” declares the Lord. “I did this so that they would be my people and bring fame, praise, and honor to me. However, they wouldn’t listen.
12. “Give this message to them, ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Every bottle will be filled with wine.’ Then they will say to you, ‘We know that every bottle will be filled with wine.’
13. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I’m going to make everyone who lives in this land drunk. The kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all those who live in Jerusalem will become drunk.
14. Then I will smash them like bottles against each other. I will smash parents and children together, declares the Lord. I will have no pity, mercy, or compassion when I destroy them.’ ”
15. Listen, and pay attention!Don’t be arrogant. The Lord has spoken.
16. Honor the Lord your God before it gets dark,before your feet stumble on the mountains in the twilight.You will look for light,but the Lord will turn it into the shadow of deathand change it into deep darkness.
17. If you won’t listen,I will cry secretly over your arrogance.I will cry bitterly, and my eyes will flow with tearsbecause the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.
18. Say to the king and his mother,“Come down from your thrones,because your crowns have fallen off your heads.”
19. The cities in the Negev will be locked up,and there will be no one to reopen them.All the people of Judah will be taken away into captivity.
20. Look up, and see those who are coming from the north.Where is the flock that was given to you—your beautiful sheep?
21. What will you saywhen God makes the people you thought were your friendsyour new masters?Won’t pain grip you like a woman in labor?
22. If you ask yourself,“Why do these things happen to me?”it’s because you have so many sins.Your clothes have been torn offand your limbs are bare.
23. Can Ethiopians change the color of their skinor leopards change their spots?Can you do goodwhen you’re taught to do wrong?
24. “I will scatter you like straw that is blown away by a desert wind.