3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem:Break up your hard rocky soil;don’t plant among the thorns.
4 Dedicate yourselves to the Lord;don’t be thick-skinned,people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem,or else my anger will spread like a wildfire.It will burn, with no one to put it out,because of your evil deeds.
5 Announce in Judah,in Jerusalem proclaim,sound the alarm throughout the land,cry out and say,"Gather together!Let’s flee to the fortified towns!"
6 Set up a flag to Zion;take cover, don’t just stand there!I’m bringing disaster from the north,massive devastation.
7 A lion bursts out of the thicket;a destroyer of nations advances.He’s gone forth from his placeto ravage your land,to wipe out your towns,until no one is left.
8 So put on funeral clothing.Weep and wail,for the Lord’s fierce angerhasn’t turned away from us.
9 On that day, declares the Lord, the courage of the king and his princes will fail,the priests will be stunned,and the prophets will be shocked.