12. This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel:“Because you despise what I tell youand trust instead in oppression and lies,
13. calamity will come upon you suddenly—like a bulging wall that bursts and falls.In an instant it will collapseand come crashing down.
14. You will be smashed like a piece of pottery—shattered so completely thatthere won’t be a piece big enoughto carry coals from a fireplaceor a little water from the well.”
15. This is what the Sovereign lord,the Holy One of Israel, says:“Only in returning to meand resting in me will you be saved.In quietness and confidence is your strength.But you would have none of it.
16. You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’But the only swiftness you are going to seeis the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
17. One of them will chase a thousand of you.Five of them will make all of you flee.You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hillor a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”
18. So the lord must wait for you to come to himso he can show you his love and compassion.For the lord is a faithful God.Blessed are those who wait for his help.
19. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem,you will weep no more.He will be gracious if you ask for help.He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
20. Though the Lord gave you adversity for foodand suffering for drink,he will still be with you to teach you.You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
21. Your own ears will hear him.Right behind you a voice will say,“This is the way you should go,”whether to the right or to the left.
22. Then you will destroy all your silver idolsand your precious gold images.You will throw them out like filthy rags,saying to them, “Good riddance!”