1I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the city walls. I will watch to see what he will say to me and how I should answer his complaint.
2Yahweh answered me, "Write the vision down and make it plain on tablets so that whoever reads it can run with the message.
3The vision is for a future time; it is rushing toward the end and will not prove false. Even if it seems slow, wait for it, because it will surely come and not be delayed.
4Look, the wicked person is arrogant; his heart is not right. But the righteous will live by being faithful.
5Indeed, wine is deceiving. A proud person does not stay at home; he is as greedy as the grave and like death itself, never satisfied. He gathers all nations to himself, and piles up all peoples for his own.
6Won't all these people bring up a proverb and a mocking riddle against him? They will say, 'How terrible for the one who takes what isn't his and gets rich through extortion! How long will this go on?'
7Won't your victims suddenly rise up and awaken those who will make you tremble? Then you will become their prey.
8Because you have robbed many nations, all the remaining peoples will rob you. This is because of the bloodshed and the violence you did to the land, to the city, and to all who live in it.
9How terrible for the one who gains evil profit for his household, so he can set his nest on high and escape disaster!
10By destroying many peoples, you have brought shame upon your own house and sinned against yourself.
11For the stones in the wall will cry out, and the timbers in the framework will echo them.
12How terrible for the one who builds a town with bloodshed and establishes a city through injustice!
13Look, is it not from Yahweh of Armies that peoples work hard only to feed the fire, and nations wear themselves out for nothing?
14For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Yahweh's glory, just as the waters cover the sea.
15"How terrible for the one who gives his neighbor a drink, pouring your intoxicating wine until they are drunk, just so you can look at their nakedness!
16You are filled with shame, not glory. You too will drink deeply and be exposed! The cup of wrath from Yahweh's right hand will come to you, and disgrace will cover your glory.
17The violence you did to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of the animals will terrify you. This is because of the bloodshed and the violence you did to the land, to every city, and to those who live in them.
18What good is an idol that its maker engraves? Or a metal statue, a teacher of lies, that its creator trusts in, to make voiceless gods?
19How terrible for the one who says to wood, 'Wake up!' or to a silent stone, 'Arise!' Can this thing teach anything? Look, it is covered with gold and silver, but there is no breath in it at all.
20But Yahweh is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him!