1. If you return, Israel —this is the Lord’s declaration —you will return to Me, if you remove your detestable idols from My presenceand do not waver,
2. then you can swear, “As the Lord lives,” in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him and will pride themselves in Him.
3. For this is what the Lord says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem:Break up the unplowed ground; do not sow among the thorns.
4. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord;remove the foreskin of your hearts, men of Judah and residents of Jerusalem.Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fireand burn with no one to extinguish it because of your evil deeds.
5. Declare in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry out loudly and say:Assemble yourselves,and let’s flee to the fortified cities.
6. Lift up a signal flag toward Zion. Run for cover! Don’t stand still!For I am bringing disaster from the north —a great destruction.
7. A lion has gone up from his thicket; a destroyer of nations has set out.He has left his lairto make your land a waste.Your cities will be reduced to uninhabited ruins.
8. Because of this, put on sackcloth;mourn and wail, for the Lord’s burning anger has not turned away from us.
9. “On that day” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “the king and the officials will lose their courage. The priests will tremble in fear, and the prophets will be scared speechless.”
10. I said, “Oh no, Lord God, You have certainly deceived this people and Jerusalem, by announcing, ‘You will have peace,’ while a sword is at our throats.”
11. “At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A searing wind blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to My dear people. It comes not to winnow or to sift;