1-2. “If you want to come back, O Israel,you must really come back to me.You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernaliaand not wander away from me anymore.Then you can say words like, ‘As God lives . . .’and have them mean something true and just and right.And the godless nations will get caught up in the blessingand find something in Israel to write home about.”
10. Then I said, “Alas, Master God!You’ve fed lies to this people, this Jerusalem.You assured them, ‘All is well, don’t worry,’at the very moment when the sword was at their throats.”
11-12. At that time, this people, yes, this very Jerusalem,will be told in plain words:“The northern hordes are sweeping infrom the desert steppes—A wind that’s up to no good, a gale-force wind.I ordered this wind.I’m pronouncingmy hurricane judgment on my people.”
13-14. Look at them! Like banks of storm clouds,racing, tumbling, their chariots a tornado,Their horses faster than eagles!Woe to us! We’re done for!Jerusalem! Scrub the evil from your livesso you’ll be fit for salvation.How much longer will you harbordevious and malignant designs within you?
15-17. What’s this? A messenger from Dan?Bad news from Ephraim’s hills!Make the report public.Broadcast the news to Jerusalem:“Invaders from far off areraising war cries against Judah’s towns.They’re all over her, like a dog on a bone.And why? Because she rebelled against me.”God’s Decree.