10. Instead of listening to me, this wicked people follow their own willful hearts and pursue other gods, worshipping and serving them. They will become like this linen garment—good for nothing!
11. Just as a linen undergarment clings to the body, so I created the people of Israel and Judah to cling to me, declares the Lord, to be my people for my honor, praise, and grandeur. But they wouldn’t obey.
12. So deliver this word to them: The Lord the God of Israel proclaims: Every wine jug should be filled with wine. And they will answer you, "Don’t we already know that? Obviously every wine jug should be filled with wine!"
13. Then you should say to them: The Lord proclaims: I’m going to fill everyone who lives in this country with wine that makes them drunk, including the kings on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all those living in Jerusalem.
14. And I will shatter every one of them, even parents and children, declares the Lord. I won’t take pity; I won’t have compassion; I will show no mercy when I destroy them.
15. Listen closely, don’t be arrogant,for the Lord has spoken.
16. Honor the Lord your God,before it’s too late,before you stumbleon the mountain pathsin the evening shadows.Then you will hope for light,only to find darkness and gloom.
17. If you are too proud to listen,I will go off aloneand cry my eyes out.I will weep uncontrollablybecause the Lord’s flockwill be dragged off into exile.
18. Tell the king and the queen mother:Come down from your lofty place,because your glorious crownswill soon be removed from your heads.
19. The towns of the arid southern plain will be surrounded;no one will get in or out;all Judah will be taken into exile;everyone will be led away.
20. Lift up your eyesand see who is approaching from the north.Where is the flock entrusted to you,your beautiful flock?
21. What will you say when he appoints someone as head over you:your defenders, your trusted allies?Won’t pain grip youlike that of a woman in labor?
22. And when you ask yourself,Why have all these things happened to me?it is because of your many sinsthat you have been stripped and violated.