10 In response to all this I said, “Ah, Lord God, you have surely allowed the people of Judah and Jerusalem to be deceived by those who say, ‘You will be safe!’ But in fact a sword is already at our throats.”
11 “At that time the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be told,‘A scorching wind will sweep downfrom the hilltops in the desert on my dear people.It will not be a gentle breezefor winnowing the grain and blowing away the chaff.
12 No, a wind too strong for that will come at my bidding.Yes, even now I, myself, am calling down judgment on them.’
13 Look! The enemy is approaching like gathering clouds.The roar of his chariots is like that of a whirlwind.His horses move more swiftly than eagles.”I cry out, “We are doomed, for we will be destroyed!”
14 “Oh people of Jerusalem, purify your hearts from evilso that you may yet be delivered.How long will you continue to harbor upwicked schemes within you?
15 For messengers are coming, heralding disaster,from the city of Dan and from the hills of Ephraim.
16 They are saying, ‘Announce to the surrounding nations, “The enemy is coming!”Proclaim this message to Jerusalem:“Those who besiege cities are coming from a distant land.They are ready to raise the battle cry against the towns in Judah.”’