7. Lions have come out of their den. Those who destroy nations have begun to march out. They have left their place to destroy your land completely. Your towns will be broken to pieces. No one will live in them.
8. So put on black clothes. Sob and cry over what has happened. The Lord hasn't turned his burning anger away from us.
9. "A dark day is coming," announces the Lord. "The king and his officials will lose hope. The priests will be shocked. And the prophets will be terrified."
10. Then I said, "You are my Lord and King. You have completely tricked the people of Judah and Jerusalem. You have told them, 'You will have peace and rest.' But swords are pointed at our throats."
11. At that time the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be warned. They will be told, "A hot and dry wind is coming, my people. It is blowing toward you from the bare hilltops in the desert. But it does not separate straw from grain.
12. It is much too strong for that. The wind is coming from me. I am making my decision against you."
13. Look! Our enemies are approaching like the clouds. Their chariots are coming like a strong wind. Their horses are faster than eagles. How terrible it will be for us! We'll be destroyed!
14. People of Jerusalem, wash your sins from your hearts and be saved. How long will you hold on to your evil thoughts?
15. A voice is speaking all the way from the city of Dan. From the hills of Ephraim it announces that trouble is coming.
16. "Tell the nations. Warn Jerusalem. Say, 'An army will attack you. It is coming from a land far away. It will shout a war cry against the cities of Judah.
17. It will surround them like people who guard a field. Judah has refused to obey me,' " announces the Lord.
18. "The army will attack you because of your conduct and actions. That is how you will be punished. It will be so bitter! It will cut deep down into your hearts!"
19. I'm suffering! I'm really suffering! I'm hurting badly. My heart is suffering so much! It's pounding inside me. I can't keep silent. I've heard the sound of trumpets. I've heard the battle cry.