CHAPTER 2
I will stand
at
my guard post
and station
myself on
the ramparts.
I will watch
to see
what
He will say
to me
and how
I will answer
my reproof.
Then the LORD
answered me:
“Write down
this vision
and clearly
inscribe it on
tablets,
so that
a herald
may run
with it.
For
the vision
awaits
an appointed time;
it testifies
of the end,
and will not
lie.
Though
it lingers,
wait
for it,
since
it will surely come
and not
delay.
furthermore,
wine
betrays;
an arrogant
man
is never
at rest.
He
enlarges
his appetite
like Sheol,
and like Death,
he
is never
satisfied.
He gathers
all
nations
to himself
and collects
all
the peoples
as his own.
Will not
all
of these
take up
a taunt
against him,
with mockery
and riddles
against him,
saying:
‘Woe
to him who amasses
what is not his
and makes himself rich
with many loans!
How
long will this go on?’
Will not
your creditors
suddenly
arise
and those who disturb you
awaken?
Then you will become
their prey.
Because
you
have plundered
many
nations,
the remnant
of the people
will plunder you
for your bloodshed
against man
and your violence
against the land
and city
and all
their dwellers.
Woe
to him who builds
his house
by unjust
gain,
to place
his nest
on high
and escape
the hand
of disaster!
Is it not
indeed
from
the LORD
of Hosts
that the labor
of the people
only feeds
the fire,
and nations
weary themselves
in
vain?
For
the earth
will be filled
with the knowledge
of
the glory
of the LORD
as the waters
cover
the sea.
Woe
to him who gives drink
to his neighbors,
pouring it
from the wineskin
until
they are drunk,
in order to
gaze
at
their nakedness!
You will be filled
with shame
instead of glory.
You
too
must drink
and expose your uncircumcision!
The cup
in the LORD’s
right hand
will come around
to you,
and utter disgrace
will cover your glory.
For
your violence
against Lebanon
will overwhelm you,
and the destruction
of animals
will terrify you,
because of the blood
of men
and violence
against lands,
cities,
and everyone
in them.
What
use
is an idol,
that
a craftsman
should carve it—
or an image,
a teacher
of lies?
For
its maker
trusts
in his own creation;
he makes
idols
that cannot speak.
Woe
to him who says
to wood,
‘Awaken!’
or to silent
stone,
‘Come alive!’
Can it
give guidance?
Behold,
it is
overlaid
with gold
and silver,
yet there is no
breath
in
it at all.