21
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will laystumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sonstogether shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
22
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a peoplecometh from the northcountry, and a greatnation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
23
They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voiceroareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
24
We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
25
Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
26
O daughter of my people,gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes:make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitterlamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenlycome upon us.
27
I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
28
They are all grievousrevolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
29
The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire*; the foundermelteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
30
Reprobate[a]silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.