God: Say goodbye to the Promised Land
1The LORD came to me with a message to deliver. He said:2Human, this is the message the Lord God has for the people in the land of Israel: [1]
It’s over. Time is up.
Say goodbye to your land.
3You’re almost there, to the end.
You’re about to feel my anger.
I’m going to judge you for your sins.
And I’m going to make you pay.
4I’m not giving you a pass.
I’m not going to pity you.
I’m going to punish you
While you continue to sin.
That’ll teach you.
Then you’ll know I’m the LORD.
God: Disaster is coming for you
5This is from the Lord God:6One disaster after another. They’re coming.
The end comes with them.
Disaster just woke up and it’s coming for you.
7People of Israel,
You’re doomed.
It’s almost here,
Trouble in the hills,
Instead of parties and celebrations.
8I’m just about ready
To soak you in wrath.
I’m going to pour onto you
Every drop of my anger.
I’m judging what you’ve done
And punishing you for your deplorable sins.
9Don’t expect any hint of pity. Not from me.
I’m the one who will punish you
While you’re right in the middle of sinning.
That’s how you’ll know it was the LORD who did it.
10Can you see it coming?
Doom is already on its way.
Your injustice has bloomed.
Your pride is growing new buds.
11Your violence has grown increasingly evil.
No more. It’s over.
So are your days of comfort, wealth, and prestige. [2]
12The time has come. You’ll see it soon.
All businesses will be out of business.
Wrath is coming for all of you.
13Buyers won’t come to get what they bought.
Buyers and sellers are both guilty of sin.
They’re going to die because of it.
Invaders arrive, trapping Jerusalem
14They’ve blown the ram’s hornAs a call to arms.
But no one leaves the town to fight.
For I surrounded them with my anger.
15Outside the city, enemies wait to kill them.
Inside, they fall to disease and famine.
16Those who survive
Will hide in the hills and moan
Like mourning doves of the valley.
17Their hands will fall limp
And urine will run down their legs.
18They’ll wear feed sacks
And shaved heads,
Shame and horror.
19Their silver and gold are worthless to them,
Like trash thrown into the streets.
Silver and gold won’t buy you food.
And they sure won’t save you.
They’re the reason you got into trouble.
20Silver and gold jewelry.
That’s what you melted down to make disgusting idols.
So, I’m making them untouchable. [3]
God gives Israel to world’s worst humans
21I’m giving your silver and gold to invaders,The wickedest group of humans on earth.
They’ll use it in repulsive ways.
22When those invaders come
I’ll look the other way
And let them loot my treasure.
They’ll go inside my sacred Temple
To vandalize and desecrate it.
23Make yourself some chains
For Jerusalem is a lawless town,
A violent city bloodied in crime.
24I’m bringing in the worst of the worse,
Invaders to take your homes.
They’ll strip arrogant people of their pride,
And they’ll desecrate your sacred shrines. [4]
25When trouble comes to town,
You’ll want peace
But you won’t find it.
26Instead, I’ll send disaster on disaster,
And rumor on rumor.
Panicked people will look for help
In visions from the prophet,
Teachings from the priest,
And advice from the leaders.
When it’s time to be afraid
27The king will grieve,The prince will have panic attacks,
And the people will tremble with fear.
I will judge each one
And punish them as they deserve.
That will teach them.
Then they’ll know I’m the LORD.
