5. the people of Judah will regret that they ever trusted that unreliable nation, a nation that fails them when they expect help.”
6. This is God's message about the animals of the southern desert: “The ambassadors travel through dangerous country, where lions live and where there are poisonous snakes and flying dragons. They load their donkeys and camels with expensive gifts for a nation that cannot give them any help.
7. The help that Egypt gives is useless. So I have nicknamed Egypt, ‘The Harmless Dragon’ ”.
8. God told me to write down in a book what the people are like, so that there would be a permanent record of how evil they are.
9. They are always rebelling against God, always lying, always refusing to listen to the Lord's teachings.
10. They tell the prophets to keep quiet. They say, “Don't talk to us about what's right. Tell us what we want to hear. Let us keep our illusions.
11. Get out of our way and stop blocking our path. We don't want to hear about your holy God of Israel.”
12. But this is what the holy God of Israel says: “You ignore what I tell you and rely on violence and deceit.
13. You are guilty. You are like a high wall with a crack running down it; suddenly you will collapse.
14. You will be shattered like a clay pot, so badly broken that there is no piece big enough to pick up hot coals with, or to scoop water from a cistern.”
15. The Sovereign Lord, the holy God of Israel, says to the people, “Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.” But you refuse to do it!
16. Instead, you plan to escape from your enemies by riding fast horses. And you are right — escape is what you will have to do! You think your horses are fast enough, but those who pursue you will be faster!
17. A thousand of you will run away when you see one enemy soldier, and five soldiers will be enough to make you all run away. Nothing will be left of your army except a lonely flagstaff on the top of a hill!
18. And yet the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the Lord.
19. You people who live in Jerusalem will not weep any more. The Lord is compassionate, and when you cry to him for help, he will answer you.