He said, “Go and tell these people: ‘Listen continually, but don’t understand! Look continually, but don’t perceive!’

I then had sexual relations with the prophetess; she conceived and gave birth to a son. The Lord told me, “Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz,

You must recognize the authority of the Lord who commands armies. He is the one you must respect; he is the one you must fear.

to keep the poor from getting fair treatment, and to deprive the oppressed among my people of justice, so they can steal what widows own, and loot what belongs to orphans.

The splendor of his forest and his orchard will be completely destroyed, as when a sick man’s life ebbs away.

Look, the Lord’s day of judgment is coming; it is a day of cruelty and savage, raging anger, destroying the earth and annihilating its sinners.

Like a frightened gazelle or a sheep with no shepherd, each will turn toward home, each will run to his homeland.

Their arrows will cut young men to ribbons; they have no compassion on a person’s offspring, they will not look with pity on children.

you will taunt the king of Babylon with these words: “Look how the oppressor has met his end! Hostility has ceased!

Your splendor has been brought down to Sheol, as well as the sound of your stringed instruments. You lie on a bed of maggots, with a blanket of worms over you.

Those who see you stare at you, they look at you carefully, thinking: “Is this the man who shook the earth, the one who made kingdoms tremble?

The Lord will strike Egypt, striking and then healing them. They will turn to the Lord and he will listen to their prayers and heal them.

Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left.” Indeed, the Lord God of Israel has spoken.

But look, there is outright celebration! You say, “Kill the ox and slaughter the sheep, eat meat and drink wine. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

the deep waters! Grain from the Shihor region, crops grown near the Nile she receives; she is the trade center of the nations.

Indeed, you have made the city into a heap of rubble, the fortified town into a heap of ruins; the fortress of foreigners is no longer a city, it will never be rebuilt.

Your treaty with death will be dissolved; your agreement with Sheol will not last. When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by, you will be overrun by it.

You will be shocked and amazed! You are totally blind! They are drunk, but not because of wine; they stagger, but not because of beer.

all will be put to shame because of a nation that cannot help them, who cannot give them aid or help, but only shame and disgrace.”

For the fortress is neglected; the once-crowded city is abandoned. Hill and watchtower are permanently uninhabited. Wild donkeys love to go there, and flocks graze there.