19. Earth, pay attention. I am going to bring trouble on them. I will punish them because of the evil things they have done. They have not listened to my words. They have said no to my law.
20. What do I care about incense from the land of Sheba? Why should I bother with sweet-smelling cane from a land far away? I do not accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices do not please me."
21. So the Lord says, "I will bring an army against the people of Judah. Parents and children alike will trip and fall. Neighbors and friends will die."
22. The Lord says to Jerusalem, "Look! An army is coming from the land of the north. I am stirring up a great nation. Its army is coming from a land that is very far away.
23. Its soldiers are armed with bows and spears. They are mean. They do not show any mercy at all. They come riding in on their horses. They sound like the roaring ocean. They are lined up for battle. They are marching out to attack you, city of Zion."
24. We have heard reports about them. And our hands can't help us. We are suffering greatly. It's like the pain of a woman having a baby.
25. Don't go out to the fields. Don't walk on the roads. Our enemies have swords. And there is terror on every side.
26. Put on black clothes, my people. Roll among the ashes. Cry with bitter sobbing just as you would cry for an only child. The one who is going to destroy us will come suddenly.
27. The Lord says to me, "I have made you like one who tests metals. My people are the ore. I want you to watch them and test the way they live.
28. All of them are used to disobeying me. They go around telling lies about others. They are like bronze mixed with iron. All of them do very sinful things.
29. The fire is made very hot so the lead will burn away. But it is impossible to make those people pure. Those who are evil are not removed.
30. They are like silver that is thrown away. That is because I have not accepted them."