Isaiah 22:1-14 - Oracle Against Jerusalem

¹ Here is a message about the Valley of Vision: What is the reason that all of you go up to the rooftops? ² The noisy city is full of raucous sounds; the town is filled with revelry. Your slain were not cut down by the sword; they did not die in battle. ³ All your leaders ran away together -- they fled to a distant place; all your refugees were captured together -- they were captured without a single arrow being shot. ⁴ So I say: "Don't look at me! I am weeping bitterly. Don't try to console me concerning the destruction of my defenseless people." ⁵ For the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, has planned a day of panic, defeat, and confusion. In the Valley of Vision people shout and cry out to the hill. ⁶ The Elamites picked up the quiver, and came with chariots and horsemen; the men of Kir prepared the shield. ⁷ Your very best valleys were full of chariots; horsemen confidently took their positions at the gate. ⁸ They removed the defenses of Judah. At that time you looked for the weapons in the House of the Forest. ⁹ You saw the many breaks in the walls of the city of David; you stored up water in the lower pool. ¹⁰ You counted the houses in Jerusalem, and demolished houses so you could have material to reinforce the wall. ¹¹ You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool -- but you did not trust in the one who made it; you did not depend on the one who formed it long ago!

¹² At that time the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, called for weeping and mourning, for shaved heads and sackcloth. ¹³ 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!" ¹⁴ The Lord who commands armies told me this: "Certainly this sin will not be forgiven as long as you live," says the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies.