5. The Lord says, “I am going to bring terrible disasters on the whole world — war and famine, death and destruction —
6. because wickedness has spread everywhere, and evil has reached its limit.”
7. “Therefore,” the Lord says,
8. “I will no longer remain silent about the wickedness of these godless people; I will no longer tolerate it. They have murdered innocent people, and the blood they have spilt cries out to me for revenge; the souls of the righteous are constantly pleading for vengeance.
9. Let there be no doubt,” says the Lord, “I will hear the plea of all the innocent people who have been murdered and I will take vengeance for what has been done to them.
10. “My people are being led to the slaughter like a flock of sheep. They will no longer have to live in Egypt;
11. I will use all my strength and power to bring them out of that land. I will bring disasters on the Egyptians, as I did earlier, and I will destroy their country.
12. The whole land will be in mourning; it will be shaken to its foundations when I, the Lord, strike it and pound on it.
13. The farmers will mourn because their seed will fail to sprout, and their trees will be destroyed by blight, hail, and terrible storms.
14. “The world and the people in it are doomed.
15. The war that will bring their destruction is very near. Nations will arm themselves and fight against other nations.
16. There will be great political turmoil, with one group trying to overpower another and gain control, while ignoring the legitimate government.
17. There will no longer be free access to the cities,
18. because the struggle for power will bring destruction, terror, and total confusion wherever people live.
19. Driven by famine and terrible suffering, men will assault their neighbours and mercilessly plunder their possessions.”
20. God says, “I am calling together all the kings of the earth to come from north, south, east, and west to turn back and restore what they have taken.
21. I will pay them back with the same harsh treatment they have always given to my chosen people.” The Lord says,
22. “I will use my power, and there will be no mercy for sinners; I will put to death all who have murdered innocent people.