18 Listen, you nations,and learn, you witnesses, what will happen to them.
19 Listen, earth!I’m going to bring disaster on these people.It is the result of their own plots,because they won’t pay attention to my words.They reject my teachings.
20 Incense that comes from Sheba is no good to me.Sugar cane that comes from a distant land is no good to me.I won’t accept your burnt offerings.I’m not pleased with your sacrifices.
21 This is what the Lord says:I’m going to lay stumbling blocks in front of these people.Parents and children will stumble over them.Neighbors and their friends will die.
22 This is what the Lord says:An army is going to come from the north.A great nation is preparing itself in the distant parts of the earth.
23 Its people take hold of bows and spears.They are cruel and have no compassion.They sound like the roaring sea.They ride on horses.They march like soldiers ready for battleagainst my people Zion.
24 We have heard the news about them.Our hands hang limp.We are gripped by anguish and painlike a woman giving birth to a child.