16 You hope for light,but God is sending darkness.Evening shadows already deepenin the hills.So return to Godand confess your sins to himbefore you trip and fall.
17 If you are too proud to listen,I will weep alone.Tears will stream from my eyeswhen the Lord's peopleare taken away as prisoners.
18 The Lord told me to tell youthat your king and his mothermust surrender their thronesand remove their crowns.
19 The cities in the Southern Desertare surrounded;no one can get in or out.Everyone in Judahwill be taken away.
20 Jerusalem, you were so proudof ruling the people of Judah.But where are they now?Look north, and you will seeyour enemies approaching.
21 You once trusted them to help,but now I'll let them rule you.What do you say about that?You will be in painlike a woman giving birth.
22 Do you know whyyour clothes were torn offand you were abused?It was becauseof your terrible sins.