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.