17. As watchmen of a field, they are against her all around,because she has been rebellious against Me,says the Lord.
18. Your way and your deedshave procured these things to you.This is your wickedness.How bitter it is!How it touches your heart!”
19. My soul, my soul!I am pained at my very heart.My heart makes a noise in me.I cannot hold my peace,because you have heard, O my soul,the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
20. Destruction upon destruction is proclaimed,for the whole land is devastated.Suddenly are my tents devastated,and my curtains in a moment.
21. How long shall I see the standardand hear the sound of the trumpet?
22. “For My people are foolish,they have not known Me.They are foolish children,and they have no understanding.They are wise to do evil,but to do good they have no knowledge.”
23. I looked on the earth,and it was without form and void.And to the heavens,and they had no light.
24. I looked on the mountains,and they trembled,and all the hills moved to and fro.
25. I looked, and there was no man,and all the birds of the heavens had fled.
26. I looked, and the fruitful place was a wilderness,and all the cities were broken downat the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger.
27. For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be desolate.Yet I will not make a full end.
28. For this the earth shall mourn,and the heavens above be black,because I have spoken it, I have purposedit,and will not relent, nor will I turn back from it.
29. The whole city shall fleefor the noise of the horsemen and bowmen.They shall go into thicketsand climb up upon the rocks.Every city shall be forsaken,and not a man dwell in it.