¹⁶ Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
    and ask for ^(A)the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
    ^(B)and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
^17 (C)I set watchmen over you, saying,
    ‘Pay attention to ^(D)the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ^(E)‘We will not pay attention.’
¹⁸ Therefore hear, O nations,
    and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
¹⁹ Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,
    ^(F)the fruit of their devices,
because they have not paid attention to my words;
    and as for my law, they have rejected it.
^20 (G)What use to me is ^(H)frankincense that comes from ^(I)Sheba,
    or sweet cane from a distant land?
^(J)Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,
    nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
²¹ Therefore thus says the Lord:
^(K)‘Behold, I will lay before this people
    stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble;
fathers and sons together,
    neighbor and friend shall perish.’”

²² Thus says the Lord:
^(L)“Behold, a people is coming ^(M)from the north country,
    a great nation is stirring from ^(N)the farthest parts of the earth.
²³ They lay hold on bow and javelin;
    they are ^(O)cruel and have no mercy;
    ^(P)the sound of them is like the roaring sea;
they ride on horses,
    set in array as a man for battle,
    against you, O daughter of Zion!”
²⁴ We have heard the report of it;
    ^(Q)our hands fall helpless;
anguish has taken hold of us,
    ^(R)pain as of a woman in labor.
²⁵ Go not out into the field,
    nor walk on the road,
for the enemy has a sword;
    ^(S)terror is on every side.
²⁶ O daughter of my people, ^(T)put on sackcloth,
    and ^(U)roll in ashes;
^(V)make mourning as for an only son,
    most bitter lamentation,
for suddenly the destroyer
    will come upon us.