18. Therefore hear, O nations,and know, O earth,what I will do with them:
19. See, I bring evil upon this people,the fruit of their own schemes,Because they did not pay attention to my words,because they rejected my law.
20. Of what use to me is incense that comes from Sheba,or sweet cane from far-off lands?Your burnt offerings find no favor with me,your sacrifices do not please me.
21. Therefore, thus says the Lord:See, I will place before this peopleobstacles to trip them up;Parents and children alike,neighbors and friends shall perish.
22. Thus says the Lord:See, a people comes from the land of the north,a great nation, rising from the very ends of the earth.
23. Bow and javelin they wield;cruel and pitiless are they.They sound like the roaring seaas they ride forth on horses,Each in his place for battleagainst you, daughter Zion.
24. We hear news of them;our hands hang helpless,Anguish takes hold of us,pangs like a woman in childbirth.
25. Do not go out into the field,do not step into the street,For the enemy has a sword;terror on every side!
26. Daughter of my people, dress in sackcloth,roll in the ashes.Mourn as for an only childwith bitter wailing:“How suddenly the destroyercomes upon us!”
27. A tester for my people I have appointed you,to search and test their way.
28. Arch-rebels are they all,dealers in slander,bronze and iron, all of them,destroyers they are.
29. The bellows are scorched,the lead is consumed by the fire;In vain has the refiner refined,the wicked are not drawn off.
30. “Silver rejected” they shall be called,for the Lord has rejected them.