6 This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says:“Cut down the trees around Jerusalem.Build an attack ramp to the top of Jerusalem’s walls.This city must be punished!Inside this city is nothing but slavery.
7 Jerusalem pours out her evilas a well pours out its water.The sounds of violence and destruction are heard within her.I can see the sickness and hurts of Jerusalem.
8 Listen to this warning, Jerusalem.If you don’t listen, I will turn my back on you.I will make your land an empty desert.No one will be able to live there!”
9 This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says:“Gather the few people of Israel who are left alive.Gather them as you would the last grapes on a grapevine.Check each vine again,like someone who gathers grapes.”
10 To whom can I speak? Whom can I warn?Who will listen to me?The people of Israel have closed ears!So they cannot hear my warnings.They don’t like the word of the Lord.They don’t want to listen to it!
11 But I am full of the anger of the Lord.I am tired of holding it in.“Pour out the Lord’s anger on the children who play in the street.Pour it out on the young men gathered together.A husband and his wife will both be caught in his anger.The very old people will be caught in it.
12 Their houses will be turned over to others.Their fields and wives will be given away.I will raise my handand punish the people of Judah,” says the Lord.