9
Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the Lord. "And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?
10
"Go up on her walls and destroy, But do not make a complete end. Take away her branches, For they are not the Lord's.
11
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah Have dealt very treacherously with Me," says the Lord.
12
They have lied about the Lord, And said, "It is not He. Neither will evil come upon us, Nor shall we see sword or famine.
13
And the prophets become wind, For the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them."
14
Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: "Because you speak this word, Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, And this people wood, And it shall devour them.
15
Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel," says the Lord. "It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say.
16
Their quiver is like an open tomb; They are all mighty men.
17
And they shall eat up your harvest and your bread, Which your sons and daughters should eat. They shall eat up your flocks and your herds; They shall eat up your vines and your fig trees; They shall destroy your fortified cities, In which you trust, with the sword.
18
"Nevertheless in those days," says the Lord, "I will not make a complete end of you.
19
And it will be when you say, 'Why does the Lord our God do all these things to us?' then you shall answer them, 'Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve aliens in a land that is not yours.'