17 I appointed watchmen over you and said: Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.But they protested, “We won’t listen!”
18 Therefore listen, you nationsand you witnesses,learn what the charge is against them.
19 Listen, earth!I am about to bring disaster on these people,the fruit of their own plotting, for they have paid no attention to My word.They have rejected My instruction.
20 What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land?Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;your sacrifices do not please Me.
21 Therefore, this is what the Lord says:I am going to place stumbling blocks before these people;fathers and sons together will stumble over them; friends and neighbors will also perish.
22 This is what the Lord says:Look, an army is coming from a northern land; a great nation will be awakenedfrom the remote regions of the earth.
23 They grasp bow and javelin.They are cruel and show no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses,lined up like men in battle formationagainst you, Daughter Zion.