17. If you do not listen to this in your pride,I will weep many tears in secret;My eyes will run with tearsfor the Lord’s flock, led away to exile.
18. Say to the king and to the queen mother:come down from your throne;From your headsyour splendid crowns will fall.
19. The cities of the Negeb are besieged,with no one to relieve them;Judah is taken into exile—all of it—in total exile.
20. Lift up your eyes and seethose coming in from the north.Where is the flock entrusted to you,your splendid sheep?
21. What will you say when rulers are appointed over you,those you taught to be allies?Will not pains seize youlike those of a woman giving birth?
22. If you say to yourself:“Why have these things happened to me?”For your great guilt your skirts are stripped awayand you are violated.