because I am calling all the nations in the north to come. Their kings will set up their thrones at the gates of Jerusalem and around its walls and also around the other cities of Judah.

They have come to warn the nations and to tell Jerusalem that enemies are coming from a country far away. These enemies will shout against the cities of Judah

The LORD says, "People are coming from a country in the north; a mighty nation far away is preparing for war.

'I am going to send for all the peoples from the north and for my servant, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia. I am going to bring them to fight against Judah and its inhabitants and against all the neighboring nations. I am going to destroy this nation and its neighbors and leave them in ruins forever, a terrible and shocking sight. I, the LORD, have spoken.

The LORD will bring against you a nation from the ends of the earth, a nation whose language you do not know. They will swoop down on you like an eagle.

The LORD gives a signal to call for a distant nation. He whistles for them to come from the ends of the earth. And here they come, swiftly, quickly!

God will attack the city, surround it, and besiege it.

the LORD Almighty will rescue you with violent thunderstorms and earthquakes. He will send windstorms and raging fire;

The people of Israel and Judah have betrayed me completely. I, the LORD, have spoken."

The LORD says, "Just as a thief is disgraced when caught, so all you people of Israel will be disgraced---your kings and officials, your priests and prophets.

(SEE 9:25)

Israel is the vineyard of the LORD Almighty; the people of Judah are the vines he planted. He expected them to do what was good, but instead they committed murder. He expected them to do what was right, but their victims cried out for justice.

Give up all the evil you have been doing, and get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die?

And don't think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!

The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.

Your Majesty, you are the greatest of all kings. The God of heaven has made you emperor and given you power, might, and honor.

He has made you ruler of all the inhabited earth and ruler over all the animals and birds. You are the head of gold.

As I was watching, a fourth beast appeared. It was powerful, horrible, terrifying. With its huge iron teeth it crushed its victims, and then it trampled on them. Unlike the other beasts, it had ten horns.

Then the LORD said to his people, "Keep watching the nations around you, and you will be astonished at what you see. I am going to do something that you will not believe when you hear about it.

They spread fear and terror, and in their pride they are a law to themselves.

"Their armies advance in violent conquest, and everyone is terrified as they approach. Their captives are as numerous as grains of sand.

If you won't listen to me, then God will use foreigners speaking some strange-sounding language to teach you a lesson.

You will no longer see any arrogant foreigners who speak a language that you can't understand.

In the Scriptures it is written, "By means of people speaking strange languages I will speak to my people, says the Lord. I will speak through lips of foreigners, but even then my people will not listen to me."