²⁵ For I am the Lord! If I say it, it will happen. There will be no more delays, you rebels of Israel. I will fulfill my threat of destruction in your own lifetime. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

The Lord’s Reply

⁵ The Lord replied,

²⁸ Therefore, tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No more delay! I will now do everything I have threatened. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’”

A Message about Assyria

²⁴ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath:

³⁵ Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Signs of the Coming Exile

12 Again a message came to me from the Lord: ² “Son of man, you live among rebels who have eyes but refuse to see. They have ears but refuse to hear. For they are a rebellious people.

³³ Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

¹⁰ They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them.

⁹ For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: In your own lifetime, before your very eyes, I will put an end to the happy singing and laughter in this land. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard.