1-2. “Patrol Jerusalem’s streets.Look around. Take note.Search the market squares.See if you can find one man, one woman,A single soul who does what is rightand tries to live a true life.I want to forgive that person.”God’s Decree.“But if all they do is say, ‘As sure as God lives . . .’they’re nothing but a bunch of liars.”
3-6. But you, God,you have an eye for truth, don’t you?You hit them hard, but it didn’t faze them.You disciplined them, but they refused correction.Hardheaded, harder than rock,they wouldn’t change.Then I said to myself, “Well, these are just poor people.They don’t know any better.They were never taught anything about God.They never went to prayer meetings.I’ll find some people from the best families.I’ll talk to them.They’ll know what’s going on, the way God works.They’ll know the score.”But they were no better! Rebels all!Off doing their own thing.The invaders are ready to pounce and kill,like a mountain lion, a wilderness wolf,Panthers on the prowl.The streets aren’t safe anymore.And why? Because the people’s sins are piled sky-high;their betrayals are past counting.
7-9. “Why should I even bother with you any longer?Your children wander off, leaving me,Taking up with godsthat aren’t even gods.I satisfied their deepest needs, and then they went off with the ‘sacred’ whores,left me for orgies in sex shrines!A bunch of well-groomed, lusty stallions,each one pawing and snorting for his neighbor’s wife.Do you think I’m going to stand around and do nothing?”God’s Decree.“Don’t you think I’ll take serious measuresagainst a people like this?
10-11. “Go down the rows of vineyards and rip out the vines,but not all of them. Leave a few.Prune back those vines!That growth didn’t come from God!They’ve betrayed me over and over again,Judah and Israel both.”God’s Decree.
12-13. “They’ve spread lies about God.They’ve said, ‘There’s nothing to him.Nothing bad will happen to us,neither famine nor war will come our way.The prophets are all windbags.They speak nothing but nonsense.’”
14. Therefore, this is what God said to me, God-of-the-Angel-Armies:“Because they have talked this way,they are going to eat those words.Watch now! I’m putting my wordsas fire in your mouth.And the people are a pile of kindlingready to go up in flames.
15-17. “Attention! I’m bringing a far-off nationagainst you, O house of Israel.”God’s Decree.“A solid nation,an ancient nation,A nation that speaks another language.You won’t understand a word they say.When they aim their arrows, you’re as good as dead.They’re a nation of real fighters!They’ll clean you out of house and home,rob you of crops and children alike.They’ll feast on your sheep and cattle,strip your vines and fig trees.And the fortresses that made you feel so safe—leveled with a stroke of the sword!