17
And I set watchmen over you: 'Attend to the sound of the horn', but they said: 'We will not attend.'
18
Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is against them.
19
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not attended unto My words, and as for My teaching, they have rejected it.
20
To what purpose is to Me the frankincense that cometh from Sheba, and the sweet cane, from a far country? Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto Me.
21
Therefore thus saith HaShem: Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them, the neighbour and his friend, and they shall perish.
22
Thus saith HaShem: Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be roused from the uttermost parts of the earth.
23
They lay hold on bow and spear, they are cruel, and have no compassion; their voice is like the roaring sea, and they ride upon horses; set in array, as a man for war, against thee, O daughter of Zion.
24
'We have heard the fame thereof, our hands wax feeble, anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.'
25
Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for there is the sword of the enemy, and terror on every side.
26
O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes; make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
27
I have made thee a tower and a fortress among My people; that thou mayest know and try their way.
28
They are all grievous revolters, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron; they all of them deal corruptly.
29
The bellows blow fiercely, the lead is consumed of the fire; in vain doth the founder refine, for the wicked are not separated.
30
Refuse silver shall men call them, because HaShem hath rejected them.