19Hear, O earth:

I am bringing disaster on this people,

the fruit of their schemes,

because they have not listened to my words

and have rejected my law.

20What do I care about incense from Sheba

or sweet calamus from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;

your sacrifices do not please me.”

21Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“I will put obstacles before this people.

Fathers and sons alike will stumble over them;

neighbors and friends will perish.”

22This is what the Lord says:

“Look, an army is coming

from the land of the north;

a great nation is being stirred up

from the ends of the earth.

23They are armed with bow and spear;

they are cruel and show no mercy.

They sound like the roaring sea

as they ride on their horses;

they come like men in battle formation

to attack you, O Daughter of Zion.”

24We have heard reports about them,

and our hands hang limp.

Anguish has gripped us,

pain like that of a woman in labor.

25Do not go out to the fields

or walk on the roads,

for the enemy has a sword,

and there is terror on every side.

26O my people, put on sackcloth

and roll in ashes;

mourn with bitter wailing

as for an only son,

for suddenly the destroyer

will come upon us.

27“I have made you a tester of metals

and my people the ore,

that you may observe

and test their ways.

28They are all hardened rebels,

going about to slander.

They are bronze and iron;

they all act corruptly.

29The bellows blow fiercely

to burn away the lead with fire,

but the refining goes on in vain;

the wicked are not purged out.

30They are called rejected silver,

because the Lord has rejected them.”