7 Be silent! I am the Lord God,and the time is near.I am preparingto sacrifice my peopleand to invite my guests.
8 On that day I will punishnational leadersand sons of the king,along with all who followforeign customs.
9 I will punish worshippersof pagan godsand cruel palace officialswho abuse their power.
10 I, the Lord, promisethat on that daynoisy crying will be heardfrom Fish Gate, New Town,and Upper Hills.
11 Everyone in Lower Hollowwill mourn loudly,because merchantsand money changerswill be wiped out.
12 I'll search Jerusalem with lampsand punish those peoplewho sit there unworriedwhile thinking,“The Lord won't do anything,good or bad.”
13 Their possessions will be taken,their homes left in ruins.They won't get to livein the houses they build,or drink wine from the grapesin their own vineyards.