9 Give me one good reasonnot to punish themas they deserve.I, the Lord All-Powerful,have spoken.
10 I weep for the pasture landin the hill country.It's so barren and scorchedthat no one travels there.No cattle can be found there,and birds and wild animalshave all disappeared.
11 I heard the Lord reply,“When I have finished,Jerusalem and the towns of Judahwill be piles of ruinswhere only jackals live.”
12 I said to the Lord, “None of us can understand why the land has become like an uncrossable desert. Won't you explain why?”
13 The Lord said:I destroyed the land because the people disobeyed me and rejected my laws and teachings.
14 They were stubborn and worshipped Baal, just as their ancestors did.
15 So I, the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, promise them poison to eat and drink.