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.
26. I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness.The towns lay in ruins,crushed by the lord’s fierce anger.
27. This is what the lord says:“The whole land will be ruined,but I will not destroy it completely.
28. The earth will mournand the heavens will be draped in blackbecause of my decree against my people.I have made up my mind and will not change it.”
29. At the noise of charioteers and archers,the people flee in terror.They hide in the bushesand run for the mountains.All the towns have been abandoned—not a person remains!
30. What are you doing,you who have been plundered?Why do you dress up in beautiful clothingand put on gold jewelry?Why do you brighten your eyes with mascara?Your primping will do you no good!The allies who were your loversdespise you and seek to kill you.
31. I hear a cry, like that of a woman in labor,the groans of a woman giving birth to her first child.It is beautiful Jerusalemgasping for breath and crying out,“Help! I’m being murdered!”