15 Choose good instead of evil!See that justice is done.Perhaps I, the Lord All-Powerful,will be kind to what's leftof your people.
16 This is what the Lord has sworn:Noisy crying will be heardin every town and street.Even farmers will be toldto mourn for the dead,together with thosewho are paid to mourn.
17 Your vineyards will be filledwith crying and weeping,because I will punish you.I, the Lord, have spoken!
18 You look forward to the daywhen the Lord comes to judge.But you are in for trouble!It won't be a time of sunshine;all will be darkness.
19 You will run from a lion,only to meet a bear.You will escape to your house,rest your hand on the wall,and be bitten by a snake.
20 The day when the Lord judgeswill be dark, very dark,without a ray of light.
21 I, the Lord, hate and despiseyour religious celebrationsand your times of worship.