20 To what purpose does incense from Sheba come to Me,and the sweet cane from a far country?Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,nor are your sacrifices sweet to Me.
21 Therefore thus says the Lord: See, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people,and the fathers and the sons together will fall upon them.The neighbor and his friend will perish.
22 Thus says the Lord: See, a people comesfrom the north country,and a great nation will be raisedfrom the remote parts of the earth.
23 They will lay hold on bow and spear;they are cruel and have no mercy.Their voice roars like the sea,and they ride upon horses,set in array as men for waragainst you, O daughter of Zion.
24 “We have heard the report of it;our hands grow feeble.Anguish has taken hold of us,and pain as of a woman in labor.
25 Do not go out into the field,nor walk on the road.For the sword of the enemyand terror is on every side.”
26 O daughter of my people, gird yourself with sackclothand wallow in ashes.Mourn as for an only son,a most bitter lamentation;for the destroyershall suddenly come upon us.