²² Thus says the Lord:
See, a people is coming from the land of the north;
    a great nation is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth.^(A)
23 They grasp the bow and the javelin;
    they are cruel and have no mercy;
    their sound is like the roaring sea;
they ride on horses,
    equipped like a warrior for battle,
    against you, O daughter Zion!^(B)

²⁴ “We have heard news of them;
    our hands fall helpless;
anguish has taken hold of us,
    pain as of a woman in labor.^(C)
25 Do not go out into the field
    or walk on the road,
for the enemy has a sword;
    terror is on every side.”^(D)

²⁶ O daughter of my people, put on sackcloth
    and roll in ashes;
make mourning as for an only child,
    most bitter lamentation,
for suddenly the destroyer
    will come upon us.^(E)