9. Give me one good reasonnot to punish themas they deserve.I, the Lord All-Powerful,have spoken.
10. I weep for the pasture landin the hill country.It's so barren and scorchedthat no one travels there.No cattle can be found there,and birds and wild animalshave all disappeared.
11. I heard the Lord reply,“When I have finished,Jerusalem and the towns of Judahwill be piles of ruinswhere only jackals live.”
12. I said to the Lord, “None of us can understand why the land has become like an uncrossable desert. Won't you explain why?”
13. The Lord said:I destroyed the land because the people disobeyed me and rejected my laws and teachings.
14. They were stubborn and worshipped Baal, just as their ancestors did.