18. “Your own actions have brought this upon you.This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart!”
19. My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain!My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still.For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpetsand the roar of their battle cries.
20. Waves of destruction roll over the land,until it lies in complete desolation.Suddenly my tents are destroyed;in a moment my shelters are crushed.
21. How long must I see the battle flagsand hear the trumpets of war?
22. “My people are foolishand do not know me,” says the lord.“They are stupid childrenwho have no understanding.They are clever enough at doing wrong,but they have no idea how to do right!”
23. I looked at the earth, and it was empty and formless.I looked at the heavens, and there was no light.
24. I looked at the mountains and hills,and they trembled and shook.
25. I looked, and all the people were gone.All the birds of the sky had flown away.