[4:23] I looked at the earth—it was a barren waste; at the sky—there was no light.
[4:24] I looked at the mountains—they were shaking, and the hills were rocking back and forth.
[4:25] I saw that there were no people; even the birds had flown away.
[4:26] The fertile land had become a desert; its cities were in ruins because of the Lord's fierce anger. (
[4:27] The Lord has said that the whole earth will become a wasteland, but that he will not completely destroy it.)
[4:28] The earth will mourn; the sky will grow dark. The Lord has spoken and will not change his mind. He has made his decision and will not turn back.
[4:29] At the noise of the cavalry and archers everyone will run away. Some will run to the forest; others will climb up among the rocks. Every town will be left empty, and no one will live in them again.
[4:30] Jerusalem, you are doomed! Why do you dress in scarlet? Why do you put on jewelry and paint your eyes? You are making yourself beautiful for nothing! Your lovers have rejected you and want to kill you.
[4:31] I heard a cry, like a woman in labor, a scream like a woman bearing her first child. It was the cry of Jerusalem gasping for breath, stretching out her hand and saying, “I am doomed! They are coming to kill me!”