11. Stop blocking our path.Get out of our way.Stop telling usabout God, the Holy One of Israel.”
12. So this is what the Holy One of Israel says:“You people have refused to accept this messageand have depended on cruelty and lies to help you.
13. You are guilty of these things.So you will be like a high wall with cracks in itthat falls suddenly and breaks into small pieces.
14. You will be like a clay jar that breaks,smashed into many pieces.Those pieces will be too smallto take coals from the fireor to get water from a well.”
15. This is what the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says:“If you come back to me and trust me, you will be saved.If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong.”But you don’t want to do that.
16. You say, “No, we need horses to run away on.”So you will run away on horses.You say, “We will ride away on fast horses.”So those who chase you will be fast.
17. One enemy will make threats,and a thousand of your men will run away.Five enemies will make threats,and all of you will run from them.You will be left alone like a flagpole on a hilltop,like a banner on a hill.
18. The Lord wants to show his mercy to you.He wants to rise and comfort you.The Lord is a fair God,and everyone who waits for his help will be happy.
19. You people who live on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will not cry anymore. The Lord will hear your crying, and he will comfort you. When he hears you, he will help you.
20. The Lord has given you sorrow and hurt like the bread and water you ate every day. He is your teacher; he will not continue to hide from you, but you will see your teacher with your own eyes.