17. Then lambs will graze as if in their own pasture, and nomads will eat in the ruins of the wealthy.
18. Oy to those that drag iniquity along with cords of deceit, and sin as if with a cart rope!
19. They say: “Let Him hurry up and hasten His work, so we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, so we may know it!”
20. Oy to those who call evil good and good evil, who present darkness as light and light as darkness, who present bitter as sweet, and sweet as bitter!
21. Oy to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight!
22. Oy to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant at mixing drinks,
23. who justify the wicked for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of justice!
24. Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes straw, and as chaff collapses into the flame, so their root will be like rot, and their blossom will go up like dust. For they have rejected the Torah of Adonai–Tzva’ot, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25. Therefore Adonai’s anger is kindled against His people. When He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them, the hills trembled, and their carcasses were like refuse in the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, yet His hand is still outstretched.
26. He will lift up a banner to nations far off, and will whistle for them from the ends of the earth. Look! Swiftly, speedily they come!
27. None will be weary and none stumble among them; none will slumber or sleep; no belt will be loose at the waist; no strap of sandals be broken.
28. Their arrows are sharp and all their bows bent; their horse hooves will be like flint and their wheels like a whirlwind.
29. Their roaring will be like a lion. They will growl like young lions— yes, they will roar, seize their prey and carry it away safely— and there will be none to rescue.
30. They will roar against them like the roaring of the sea. If one looks to the land, behold, darkness and distress! The light is darkened by the clouds.