The Lord Warns Judah

4 “I will reach out my powerful hand against Judah.

I will punish all those who live in Jerusalem.

I will cut off from that place

what is left of Baal worship.

The officials and priests who serve other gods

will be removed.

5 I will wipe out those who bow down on their roofs

to worship all of the stars.

I will destroy those who take oaths

not only in my name but also in the name of Molech.

6 I will cut off those who stop following me.

They no longer look to me or ask me for advice.

7 Be silent in front of me.

I am the Lord and King.

The day of the Lord is near.

I have prepared a sacrifice.

I have set apart for myself

the people I invited.

8 When my sacrifice is ready to be offered,

I will punish the princes and the king’s sons.

I will also judge all those who follow

the practices of other nations.

9 At that time I will punish

all those who worship other gods.

They fill the temples of their gods

with lies and other harmful things.

10 “At that time people at the Fish Gate in Jerusalem

will cry out,” announces the Lord.

“So will those at the New Quarter.

The buildings on the hills will come crashing down

with a loud noise.

11 Cry out, you who live in the market places.

All of your merchants will be wiped out.

Those who trade in silver will be destroyed.

12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps.

I will punish those who are so contented.

They are like wine that has not been shaken up.

They think, ‘The Lord won’t do anything.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s good or bad.’

13 Their wealth will be stolen.

Their houses will be destroyed.

They will build houses.

But they will not live in them.

They will plant vineyards.

But they will not drink the wine they produce.