14. Your prophets courted you with sweet talk.They didn’t face you with your sin so that you could repent.Their sermons were all wishful thinking, deceptive illusions.
15. Astonished, passersby can’t believe what they see.They rub their eyes, they shake their heads over Jerusalem.Is this the city voted “Most Beautiful” and “Best Place to Live”?
16. But now your enemies gape, slack-jawed.Then they rub their hands in glee: “We’ve got them!We’ve been waiting for this! Here it is!”
17. God did carry out, item by item, exactly what he said he’d do.He always said he’d do this. Now he’s done it—torn the place down.He’s let your enemies walk all over you, declared them world champions!
18. Give out heart-cries to the Master, dear repentant Zion.Let the tears roll like a river, day and night,and keep at it—no time-outs. Keep those tears flowing!