7. Like a lion that has come up from its lairthe one who destroys nations has set out from his home base.He is coming out to lay your land waste.Your cities will become ruins and lie uninhabited.
8. So put on sackcloth!Mourn and wail, saying,‘The fierce anger of the Lordhas not turned away from us!’”
9. “When this happens,” says the Lord,“the king and his officials will lose their courage.The priests will be struck with horror,and the prophets will be speechless in astonishment.”
10. In response to all this I said, “Ah, Lord God, you have surely allowed the people of Judah and Jerusalem to be deceived by those who say, ‘You will be safe!’ But in fact a sword is already at our throats.”
11. “At that time the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be told,‘A scorching wind will sweep downfrom the hilltops in the desert on my dear people.It will not be a gentle breezefor winnowing the grain and blowing away the chaff.
12. No, a wind too strong for that will come at my bidding.Yes, even now I, myself, am calling down judgment on them.’
13. Look! The enemy is approaching like gathering clouds.The roar of his chariots is like that of a whirlwind.His horses move more swiftly than eagles.”I cry out, “We are doomed, for we will be destroyed!”