4. They say, “Get ready to fight against Jerusalem!Get up! We will attack at noon!But it is already getting late.The evening shadows are growing long.
5. So get up! We will attack at night.We will destroy the strong towers of Jerusalem!”
6. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says:“Cut down the trees around Jerusalem.Build an attack ramp to the top of Jerusalem’s walls.This city must be punished!Inside this city is nothing but slavery.
7. Jerusalem pours out her evilas a well pours out its water.The sounds of violence and destruction are heard within her.I can see the sickness and hurts of Jerusalem.
8. Listen to this warning, Jerusalem.If you don’t listen, I will turn my back on you.I will make your land an empty desert.No one will be able to live there!”
9. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says:“Gather the few people of Israel who are left alive.Gather them as you would the last grapes on a grapevine.Check each vine again,like someone who gathers grapes.”
10. To whom can I speak? Whom can I warn?Who will listen to me?The people of Israel have closed ears!So they cannot hear my warnings.They don’t like the word of the Lord.They don’t want to listen to it!
11. But I am full of the anger of the Lord.I am tired of holding it in.“Pour out the Lord’s anger on the children who play in the street.Pour it out on the young men gathered together.A husband and his wife will both be caught in his anger.The very old people will be caught in it.
12. Their houses will be turned over to others.Their fields and wives will be given away.I will raise my handand punish the people of Judah,” says the Lord.
13. “Everyone, from the least important to the greatest,is greedy for money.Even the prophets and priestsall tell lies.
14. They try to heal my people’s serious injuriesas if they were small wounds.They say, ‘It’s all right, it’s all right!’But really, it is not all right.
15. They should be ashamed of the terrible way they act.But they are not ashamed at all.They don’t even know how to blush about their sins.So they will fall, along with everyone else.They will be thrown to the ground when I punish them,” says the Lord.
16. This is what the Lord says:“Stand where the roads cross and look.Ask where the old way is.Ask where the good way is, and walk on it.If you do, you will find rest for yourselves.But you have said, ‘We will not walk on the good way!’
17. I chose watchmen to watch over you.I told you, ‘Listen for the sound of the war trumpet!’But you said, ‘We will not listen.’
18. So listen, all you nations.Pay attention, you witnesses.Watch what I will do to the people of Judah.