They have come to warn the nations and to tell Jerusalem that enemies are coming from a country far away. These enemies will shout against the cities of Judah

and will surround Jerusalem like men guarding a field, because her people have rebelled against the LORD. The LORD has spoken.

Jerusalem, you are doomed! Why do you dress in scarlet? Why do you put on jewelry and paint your eyes? You are making yourself beautiful for nothing! Your lovers have rejected you and want to kill you.

I heard a cry, like a woman in labor, a scream like a woman bearing her first child. It was the cry of Jerusalem gasping for breath, stretching out her hand and saying, "I am doomed! They are coming to kill me!"

They are coming from far-off countries at the ends of the earth. In his anger the LORD is coming to devastate the whole country.

Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, "Where did these messengers come from and what did they say to you?" Hezekiah answered, "They came from a very distant country, from Babylonia."

LORD, have you completely rejected Judah? Do you hate the people of Zion? Why have you hurt us so badly that we cannot be healed? We looked for peace, but nothing good happened; we hoped for healing, but terror came instead.

Yes, the time is coming when sentries will call out on the hills of Ephraim, 'Let's go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.' "

Praise the LORD in Zion, in Jerusalem, his home. Praise the LORD!

Let everyone who lives in Zion shout and sing! Israel's holy God is great, and he lives among his people."

Jerusalem, be strong and great again! Holy city of God, clothe yourself with splendor! The heathen will never enter your gates again.

But all who ask the LORD for help will be saved. As the LORD has said, 'Some in Jerusalem will escape; those whom I choose will survive.' "

(SEE 3:20)

"But on Mount Zion some will escape, and it will be a sacred place. The people of Jacob will possess the land that is theirs by right.

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands.

The LORD is king forever. Your God, O Zion, will reign for all time. Praise the LORD!

Be glad, Israel, because of your Creator; rejoice, people of Zion, because of your king!

All the rigging on those ships is useless; the sails cannot be spread! We will seize all the wealth of enemy armies, and there will be so much that even the lame can get a share. The LORD himself will be our king; he will rule over us and protect us.

Why then, my people, do you turn away from me without ever turning back? You cling to your idols and refuse to return to me.

I listened carefully, but you did not speak the truth. Not one of you has been sorry for your wickedness; not one of you has asked, 'What have I done wrong?' Each of you keep on going your own way, like a horse rushing into battle.

Their idolatry made the LORD jealous; the evil they did made him angry.

They forgot their God, their mighty savior, the one who had given them life.

'I will no longer help them,' he said; 'then I will see what happens to them, those stubborn, unfaithful people.

You are doomed, you sinful nation, you corrupt and evil people! Your sins drag you down! You have rejected the LORD, the holy God of Israel, and have turned your backs on him.