16
Give glory to the Lord your God Before He causes darkness, And before your feet stumble On the dark mountains, And while you are looking for light, He turns it into the shadow of death And makes it dense darkness.
17
But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly And run down with tears, Because the Lord's flock has been taken captive.
18
Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Humble yourselves; Sit down, For your rule shall collapse, the crown of your glory."
19
The cities of the South shall be shut up, And no one shall open them; Judah shall be carried away captive, all of it; It shall be wholly carried away captive.
20
Lift up your eyes and see Those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given to you, Your beautiful sheep?
21
What will you say when He punishes you? For you have taught them To be chieftains, to be head over you. Will not pangs seize you, Like a woman in labor?
22
And if you say in your heart, "Why have these things come upon me?" For the greatness of your iniquity Your skirts have been uncovered, Your heels made bare.
23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.
24
"Therefore I will scatter them like stubble That passes away by the wind of the wilderness.
25
This is your lot, The portion of your measures from Me," says the Lord, "Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood.
26
Therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face, That your shame may appear.
27
I have seen your adulteries And your lustful neighings, The lewdness of your harlotry, Your abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! Will you still not be made clean?"