"For thussaysthe LORD,I have hearda soundof terror,Of dread,and thereis nopeace.
And it will growloverit in that daylike the roaringof the sea.If one looksto the land,behold,there is darkness[and] distress;Even the lightis darkenedby its clouds.
Allof us growllike bears,And moansadlylike doves;We hopefor justice,but thereis none,For salvation,[but] it is farfrom us.
"On allthe bareheightsin the wildernessDestroyershave come,For a swordof the LORDis devouringFrom one endof the landeven to the other;Thereis nopeacefor anyone.
"[Hear] the soundof the cryof the shepherds,And the wailingof the mastersof the flock!For the LORDis destroyingtheir pasture,
Now theseare the wordswhichthe LORDspokeconcerningIsraeland concerningJudah:
"Whyhave I seen[it]? They are terrified,They are drawingback,And their mightymenare defeatedAnd have takenrefugein flight,Withoutfacingback;Terroris on everyside!"Declaresthe LORD.
Thussaysthe LORD,"Behold,a peopleis comingfrom the northland,And a greatnationwill be arousedfrom the remotepartsof the earth.
O daughterof my people,puton sackclothAnd rollin ashes;Mournas for an onlyson,A lamentationmostbitter.For suddenlythe destroyerWill comeupon us.
From Danis heardthe snortingof his horses;At the soundof the neighingof his stallionsThe wholelandquakes;For they comeand devourthe landand its fullness,The cityand its inhabitants.
Behold,listen!The cryof the daughterof my peoplefrom a distantland:"Is the LORDnot in Zion?Is her Kingnot within her?" "Whyhave they provokedMe with their gravenimages,with foreignidols?"
"For a voiceof wailingis heardfrom Zion,Howare we ruined!We are putto greatshame,For we have leftthe land,Becausethey have castdownour dwellings.'"
"Then I will turnyour festivalsinto mourningAnd allyour songsinto lamentation;And I will bringsackclothon everyone'sloinsAnd baldnesson everyhead.And I will makeit like [a time of] mourningfor an onlyson,And the endof it will be like a bitterday.
"They mockat kingsAnd rulersare a laughingmatter to them. They laughat everyfortressAnd heapup rubbleto captureit.
"For behold,I am raisingup the Chaldeans,That fierceand impetuouspeopleWho marchthroughoutthe earthTo seizedwellingplaceswhich are not theirs.
