16. Honor the Lord your God before it gets dark,before your feet stumble on the mountains in the twilight.You will look for light,but the Lord will turn it into the shadow of deathand change it into deep darkness.
17. If you won’t listen,I will cry secretly over your arrogance.I will cry bitterly, and my eyes will flow with tearsbecause the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.
18. Say to the king and his mother,“Come down from your thrones,because your crowns have fallen off your heads.”
19. The cities in the Negev will be locked up,and there will be no one to reopen them.All the people of Judah will be taken away into captivity.
20. Look up, and see those who are coming from the north.Where is the flock that was given to you—your beautiful sheep?
21. What will you saywhen God makes the people you thought were your friendsyour new masters?Won’t pain grip you like a woman in labor?
22. If you ask yourself,“Why do these things happen to me?”it’s because you have so many sins.Your clothes have been torn offand your limbs are bare.
23. Can Ethiopians change the color of their skinor leopards change their spots?Can you do goodwhen you’re taught to do wrong?
24. “I will scatter you like straw that is blown away by a desert wind.
25. This is your fate, the destiny I have planned for you,”declares the Lord.“You have forgotten me and trusted false gods.
26. I will also tear off your clothes,and your shame will be seen.