10. These evil people refuse to listen to my warnings. They stubbornly do only what they want to do, and they follow other gods to serve and worship them. So they will become like this linen belt—good for nothing.
11. As a belt is wrapped tightly around a person’s waist, I wrapped the families of Israel and Judah around me,” says the Lord. “I did that so they would be my people and bring fame, praise, and honor to me. But my people would not listen.
12. “Say to them: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: All leather bags for holding wine should be filled with wine.’ People will say to you: ‘Of course, we know all wine bags should be filled with wine.’
13. Then you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will make everyone in this land like a drunken person—the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests and the prophets, and all the people who live in Jerusalem.
14. I will make them smash against one another, fathers and sons alike, says the Lord. I will not feel sorry or have pity on them or show mercy that would stop me from destroying them.’ ”
15. Listen and pay attention.Don’t be too proud,because the Lord has spoken to you.
16. Give glory to the Lord your Godbefore he brings darknessand before you slip and fallon the dark hills.You hope for light,but he will turn it into thick darkness;he will change it into deep gloom.
17. If you don’t listen to him,I will cry secretlybecause of your pride.I will cry painfully,and my eyes will overflow with tears,because the Lord’s people will be captured.
18. Tell this to the king and the queen mother:“Come down from your thrones,because your beautiful crownshave fallen from your heads.”
19. The cities of southern Judah are locked up,and no one can open them.All Judah will be taken as captives to a foreign land;they will be carried away completely.
20. Jerusalem, look up and seethe people coming from the north.Where is the flock God gave you to care for,the flock you bragged about?