The LORD Answers Again

1I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.

2Then the LORD answered me:
“Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets,
so that a herald may run with it.

3For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay. ⁴

4Look at the proud one; he is not upright within him ⁵— but the righteous will live by his faithfulness ⁶—

5and wealth ⁷indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own.

Woe to the Chaldeans

6Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision:
‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans!
How long will this go on?’

7Will not your creditors suddenly arise and those who disturb you awaken?
Then you will become their prey.

8Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you— because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city,
and all their dwellers.

9Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster!

10You have plotted shame for your house by cutting off many peoples
and forfeiting your life. ⁸

11For the stones will cry out from the wall, and the rafters will echo it from the woodwork.

12Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity!

13Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire,
and the nations weary themselves in vain?

14For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

15Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk,
in order to gaze at their nakedness!

16You will be filled with shame instead of glory. You too must drink
and expose your uncircumcision! ⁹The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you,
and utter disgrace will cover your glory.

17For your violence against Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of animals will terrify you, because of your bloodshed against men and your violence against the land, the city,
and all their dwellers.

18What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it— or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.

19Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’
Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

20But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.