1. I will climb my watchtower and wait to see what the Lord will tell me to say and what answer he will give to my complaint.
2. The Lord gave me this answer: “Write down clearly on clay tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.
3. Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.
4. And this is the message: ‘Those who are evil will not survive, but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.’ ”
5. Wealth is deceitful. Greedy people are proud and restless — like death itself they are never satisfied. That is why they conquer nation after nation for themselves.
6. The conquered people will taunt their conquerors and show their scorn for them. They will say, “You take what isn't yours, but you are doomed! How long will you go on getting rich by forcing your debtors to pay up?”
7. But before you know it, you that have conquered others will be in debt yourselves and be forced to pay interest. Enemies will come and make you tremble. They will plunder you!