In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘people will no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.

‘They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,’ declares the Lord.

Now, you women, hear the word of the Lord; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament.

I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh because their enemies will press the siege so hard against them to destroy them.”

‘People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, “Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?”

They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship.

‘Therefore,’ declares the Lord, ‘I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.

No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, “Know the Lord,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the Lord. ‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’

The nations will hear of your shame; your cries will fill the earth. One warrior will stumble over another; both will fall down together.’

‘Moab has been at rest from youth, like wine left on its dregs, not poured from one jar to another – she has not gone into exile. So she tastes as she did, and her aroma is unchanged.

One courier follows another and messenger follows messenger to announce to the king of Babylon that his entire city is captured,

Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumours are heard in the land; one rumour comes this year, another the next, rumours of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.