11. At that time this message will be given to Judah and Jerusalem: “A hot wind blows from the bare hilltops. It comes out of the desert toward the Lord’s people. It is not like the gentle wind farmers use to separate grain from chaff.
12. It’s a stronger wind than that. And it comes from the Lord. Now he will announce his judgment against the people of Judah.”
13. Look! The enemy rises up like a cloud.His chariots come like a windstorm.His horses are faster than eagles.How terrible it will be for us! We are ruined!
14. People of Jerusalem, clean the evil from your hearts and be saved.Don’t continue making evil plans.
15. A voice from Dan makes an announcement.From the mountains of Ephraim someone brings bad news.
16. “Report this to the nations.Spread this news in Jerusalem:‘Enemies are coming from a faraway country.They are shouting words of war against the cities of Judah.
17. The enemy has surrounded Jerusalem as men guard a field.This is because Judah turned against me,’” says the Lord.
18. “The way you have lived and actedhas brought this trouble to you.This is your punishment.How terrible it is!The pain stabs your heart!”
19. Oh, how I hurt! How I hurt!I am bent over in pain.Oh, the torture in my heart!My heart is pounding inside me.I cannot keep quiet.This is because I have heard the sound of the trumpet.I have heard the words of war.
20. Disaster follows disaster.The whole country has been destroyed.My tents are destroyed in only a moment.My curtains are torn down quickly.
21. How long must I look at the war flag?How long must I listen to the war trumpets?
22. The Lord says, “My people are foolish.They do not know me.They are stupid children.They don’t understand.They are skillful at doing evil.They don’t know how to do good.”
23. I looked at the earth.It was empty and had no shape!I looked at the sky.And its light was gone.
24. I looked at the mountains,and they were shaking!All the hills were trembling.
25. I looked, and there were no people!Every bird in the sky had flown away.
26. I looked, and the good, rich land had become a desert!All its towns had been destroyed.The Lord and his great anger has caused this.