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.
27 I have set you as an assayerand fortress among My peoplethat you may knowand try their way.
28 They all are stubborn rebelswalking about practicing slander.They are bronze and iron;they all are corrupters.