[22:1] This is a message about the Valley of Vision. What is happening? Why are all the people of the city celebrating on the roofs of the houses?
[22:2] The whole city is in an uproar, filled with noise and excitement. Your people who died in this war did not die fighting.
[22:3] All your leaders ran away and were captured before they shot a single arrow.
[22:4] Now leave me alone to weep bitterly over all those of my people who have died. Don't try to comfort me.
[22:5] This is a time of panic, defeat, and confusion in the Valley of Vision, and the Sovereign Lord Almighty has sent it on us. The walls of our city have been battered down, and cries for help have echoed among the hills.
[22:6] The soldiers from the land of Elam came riding on horseback, armed with bows and arrows. Soldiers from the land of Kir had their shields ready.
[22:7] The fertile valleys of Judah were filled with chariots; soldiers on horseback stood in front of Jerusalem's gates.
[22:8] All of Judah's defenses crumbled. When that happened, you brought weapons out of the arsenal.
[22:11] you built a reservoir inside the city to hold the water flowing down from the old pool. But you paid no attention to God, who planned all this long ago and who caused it to happen.
[22:12] The Sovereign Lord Almighty was calling you then to weep and mourn, to shave your heads and wear sackcloth.
[22:13] Instead, you laughed and celebrated. You killed sheep and cattle to eat, and you drank wine. You said, “We might as well eat and drink! Tomorrow we'll be dead.”
[22:14] The Sovereign Lord Almighty himself spoke to me and said, “This evil will never be forgiven them as long as they live. I, the Sovereign Lord Almighty, have spoken.”