the little owls shall cry in the palaces, one after another, and Dragons shall be in their pleasant parlors. And as for Babylon's time, it is at hand, and her days shall not be prolonged.

For as for the daughters of Moab, they shall be as a trembling bird, that is put out of her nest: for they shall carry them unto Arnon.

which sendeth her message over the sea in ships of reeds upon the water. Get ye hence, ye speedy messengers, to a nation that is scattered abroad and robbed of that they had: a fearful nation from their beginning hitherto; a nation trodden down by little and little, whose land the floods have spoiled.

This is the heavy burden upon Egypt: Behold, the LORD will ride upon a swift cloud, and come into Egypt. And the idols of Egypt shall tremble at his coming, and the heart of Egypt shall quake within her.

With this, the reins of my back were full of pain: Pangs came upon me, as upon a woman in her travail. It made me stoop when I heard it, and it vexed me when I saw it.

And behold, here cometh a chariot of men with two horsemen." And he answered and said, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen! She is turned upside down, and all the images of her gods are smitten to the ground!"

The burden of the valley of visions. What hast thou to do here, that thou climbest unto the house tops,

'What hast thou here to do? And whom hast thou here? That thou shouldest here hew thee out a sepulchre, as it were one that causeth a costly tomb of stone to be made for himself, or that graveth a habitation out of a rock?

Is not that the glorious city, which hath been of long antiquity? Whose natives dwelling far off, commend her so greatly?

"Take thy lute," say men to her, "and go about the city, thou unknown wench: make pastime with sweet melody, whereby thou mayest be had in remembrance."

Thus shall it happen after seventy years. The LORD shall visit the city of Tyre, and she shall convert unto her reward, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms that be in the world.

But all her occupying and wining shall be hallowed unto the LORD. For then shall they lay up nothing behind them nor upon heaps: but the merchandise of Tyre shall belong to the citizens of the LORD, to the feeding and sustaining of the hungry, and to the clothing of the aged.

For the earth is corrupt of her indwellers. For why? They have offended the law, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant.

The earth shall stagger like a drunkard, to and fro; and be taken away like a tent. Her misdeeds shall lie so heavy upon her, that she must fall, and never rise up again.

Like as a woman with child, when her travail cometh upon her, is sorry and crieth in her pains: Even so are we, O LORD, in thy sight.

For behold, the LORD will go out of his habitation, and visit the wickedness of them that dwell upon earth. The earth also shall disclose her own blood, and shall no more hide those that are slain in her.

Command that may be commanded, bid that may be bidden, forbid that may be forbidden, keep back that may be kept back, here a little, there a little.

And therefore the LORD shall answer their stubbornness, lesson upon lesson, commandment upon commandment, rule upon rule, instruction upon instruction, here a little, there a little. That they may go forth, fall backward, be bruised, snared, and taken.

For he treadeth not the fitches out with a waine, neither bringeth he the cart here and there over the cumin, but he thresheth the fitches out with a flail, and the cumin with a rod.

And the reward of righteousness shall be peace; and her fruit, rest and quietness forever.

Let truth and faithfulness be in her time: power, health, wisdom, knowledge and the fear of God are her treasure.

There shall strange visures and monstrous beasts meet one another, and the wild keep company together. There shall the llama lie, and have her lodging.

There shall the owl make her nest, build, be there at home, and bring forth her young ones. There shall the kites come together, each one to his like.

She shall flourish pleasantly, and be joyful, and ever be giving thanks more and more. For the glory of Lebanon, the beauty of Carmel and Sharon shall be given her. These shall know the honour of the LORD, and the majesty of our God.

Comfort Jerusalem, and tell her that her travail is at an end, that her offense is pardoned, that she hath received of the LORD's hand sufficient correction for all her sins.

For thus sayeth God the LORD unto him, even he that made the heavens, and spread them abroad, and set forth the earth with her increase: which giveth breath unto the people that is in it, and to them that dwell therein,

Let the wilderness with her cities lift up her voice; the towns also that be in Cedar. Let them be glad that sit upon rocks of stone; and let them cry down from the high mountains

Be glad ye heavens, whom the LORD hath made, let all that is here beneath upon the earth, be joyful. Rejoice ye mountains and woods, with all the trees that are in you: for the LORD shall redeem Jacob, and show his glory upon Israel.

Doth a wife forget the child of her womb, and the son who she hath born? And though she do forget, yet will not I forget thee.

Lift up thine eyes, and look about thee: all these shall gather them together, and come to thee. As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD, thou shalt put them all upon thee as an apparel, and gird them to thee, as an bride doth her jewels.

Thus sayeth the LORD: Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, that I sent unto her? Or who is the usurer, to whom I sold you? Behold, for your own offenses are ye sold: and because of your transgression, is your mother forsaken.

Mine advocate speaketh for me, who will then go with me to law? Let us stand one against another: if there be any that will reason with me, let him come here forth to me.

For the LORD hath compassion on Zion and hath compassion on all that is decayed therein, and will make her wilderness as paradise, and her desert as the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, with thanksgiving and the voice of praise.

But that my people may know my name, I myself will speak in that day. Behold, here am I.

For the LORD shall call thee, being as a desolate sorrowful woman, and as a young wife that hath broken her wedlock, sayeth thy God.

Wherefore do ye lay out your money, for the thing that feedeth not, and spend your labour about the thing that satisfieth you not? But hearken rather unto me, and ye shall eat of the best, and your soul shall have her pleasure in plenteousness.

Then shouldest thou call, and the LORD answer; then shouldest thou cry, and he shall say, "Lo, here am I. For I the LORD thy God am merciful."

But what are these that flee here like clouds, and as the doves flying to their windows?

And therefore I am joyful in the LORD, and my soul rejoiceth in my God. For he shall put upon me the garment of salvation, and cover me with the mantle of righteousness. He shall deck me like a bridegroom, and as a bride that hath her apparel upon her.

They shall seek me, that hitherto have not asked for me, they shall find me, that hitherto have not sought me. Then shall I say immediately to the people that never called upon my name, "I am here, I am here."

yea, I myself will rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with my people. And the voice of weeping and wailing shall not be heard in her from thence forth.

Who ever heard or saw such things? Doth the ground bear in one day? Or are the people born all at once, as Zion beareth her sons?

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her. Be joyful with her, all ye that mourned for her.

For ye shall suck comfort out of her breasts, and be satisfied. Ye shall taste, and have delight in the plenteousness of her power.

For thus sayeth the LORD: behold, I will let peace into her, like a water flood, and the might of the Heathen like a flowing stream. Then shall ye suck, ye shall be born upon her sides, and be joyful upon her knees.

And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like a herb. Thus shall the hand of the LORD be known among his servants, and his indignation among his enemies.

Yea, and that so sore, that though thou washest thee with Nitre and makest thyself to savour with that sweet smelling herb of Borith: yet in my sight thou art stained with thy wickedness, sayeth the LORD thy God.

Doth a maiden forget her raiment, or a bride her stomacher? But as for my people, they have forgotten me for days innumerable.

Commonly, when a man putteth away his wife, and she goeth from him, and marrieth with another, then the question is: should he resort unto her any more after that? Is not this field then defiled and unclean? But as for thee, thou hast played the harlot with many lovers, yet turn again to me, sayeth the LORD.

Hast thou seen also, when she had done all this, how I said unto her that she should turn again unto me, and yet she is not returned? Judah, that unfaithful sister of hers also saw this:

Namely, that after I had well seen the adultery of the shrinking harlot Israel, I put her away, and gave her a bill of divorcement. For all this, her unfaithful sister Judah was not ashamed, but went back and played the whore also.

Yea, and the noise of her whoredom hath defiled the whole land. For she hath committed her adultery with stones and stocks.

Nevertheless, her unfaithful sister Judah is not turned unto me again with her whole heart, but feignedly, sayeth the LORD."

But like as a woman faileth her lover, so are ye unfaithful unto me, O ye house of Israel, sayeth the LORD.'"

Behold, the Heathen give Jerusalem warning, and preach unto her, that her destroyers are coming from far countries. They tell the cities of Judah the same also.

For, methink I hear a noise, like as it were of a woman travailing, or one laboring of her first child: Even the voice of the daughter Zion, that casteth out her arms, and swooneth, saying, "Ah woe is me! How sore vexed and faint is my heart, for them that are slain?"

Look through Jerusalem, behold and see. Seek through her streets also within, if ye can find one man, that doth equal and right, or that laboureth to be faithful: and I shall spare him, sayeth the LORD.

I will liken the daughter of Zion to a fair and tender woman, and to her shall come the shepherds with their flocks.

Their tents shall they pitch round about her, and every one shall feed his part with his hand.

"Make battle against her!" shall they say. "Arise, let us go up, while it is yet day!" "Alas, the day goeth away, and the night shadows fall down!"

"Arise, let us go up by night, and destroy her strongholds!"

For thus hath the LORD of Hosts commanded: "Hew down her trees, and set up bulwarks against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished, for in her is all maliciousness.

Like as a conduit aboundeth in water, even so this city aboundeth in wickedness. Robbery and unrighteousness is heard in her, sorrow and wounds are ever there in my sight.

Trust not in false lying words, saying, 'Here is the temple of the LORD, here is the temple of the LORD, here is the temple of the LORD.'

The Stork knoweth her appointed time; the Turtledove, the Swallow and the Crane consider the time of their travail: but my people will not know the time of the punishment of the LORD.

We looked for peace, and we fair not the better; we waited for the time of health, and lo, here is nothing but trouble.

for lo, the voice of the crying of my people is heard from a far country: "Is not the LORD in Zion? Is not the king in her?" "Wherefore then have they grieved me," shall the LORD say, "with their images and foolish strange fashions?"

Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ears regard the words of his mouth: that ye may learn your daughters to mourn, and that every one may teach her neighbouress to make lamentation.

For like as the man of Ethiopia may change his skin, and the cat of the mountains her spots: so may ye that be exercised in evil, do good.

"Hast thou then utterly forsaken Judah?" said I, "Doest thou so abhor Zion? Or hast thou so plagued us, that we can be healed no more? We looked for peace, and there cometh no good: for the time of health, and lo, here is nothing but trouble.

She that hath born seven children, shall have none; her heart shall be full of sorrow. The Sun shall fail her in the clear day, when she shall be confounded and faint for very heaviness. As for those that remain, I will deliver them unto the sword of their enemies, sayeth the LORD."

And I will make this city so desolate, and despised: that whoso goeth thereby, shall be abashed and jest upon her, because of all her plagues.

because he slew me not, as soon as I came out of my mother's womb, and because my mother was not my grave herself, that the birth might not have come out, but remained still in her.

Behold, here am I, sayeth the LORD, against the prophets that take upon their tongues to speak: The LORD hath said it.

Behold, here am I, sayeth the LORD, against those prophets that dare prophesy lies, and deceive my people with their vanities, and miracles, whom I never sent, nor commanded them. They shall do this people great harm, sayeth the LORD.

For what else doth this signify, that I see? Namely, that all strong men smite every man his hand upon his loins, as a woman in the pain of her travail. Who ever saw a man travail with child? Enquire thereafter, and see. Yea, all their faces are marvelous pale.

"For thus sayeth the LORD: Behold, I will set up Jacob's tents again, and defend his dwelling place. The city shall be builded in her old estate, and their houses shall have their right foundation.

Thus sayeth the LORD, "The voice of heaviness, weeping and lamentation was heard on the hills; even of Rachel mourning for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not."

And there shall dwell Judah, and all her cities, the shepherds and husbandmen:

From thence shall the right measure be taken before her unto the hill top of Gareb, and shall come about Golgotha

when the Chaldeans come to besiege them: and they shall be filled with the dead carcasses of men, whom I will slay in my wrath and displeasure: when I turn my face from this city, because of all her wickedness.

Behold, I loose the binds from thy hands this day: if thou wilt now go with me unto Babylon, up then. For I will see to thee, and provide for thee: But if thou wilt not go with me to Babylon, then remain here. Behold, all the land is at thy will, look where thou thinkest convenient and good for thee to abide, there dwell.

but will say thus, 'We will not dwell here, but go into Egypt; where we shall neither see war, hear the noise of battle, nor suffer hunger, there will we dwell.'

the sword that ye fear, shall overtake you in Egypt; and the hunger whereof ye be here afraid, shall hang upon you into Egypt and there ye shall die.

Last of all, when we women did sacrifice and offered unto the Queen of heaven, did we make her cakes and pour unto her drink offerings, to do her service, without our husbands' wills?"

Here follow the words of the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah which he spake unto the Gentiles.

The land of Egypt is like a goodly fair calf, but one shall come out of the north to prick her forward.

Her waged soldiers that be with her, are like fat calves. They also shall flee away together, and not abide: for the day of their slaughter and the time of their visitation shall come upon them.

And they shall cut down her wood, sayeth the LORD, without any discretion. For they shall be more in number than the grasshoppers, so that no man shall be able to tell them.

Baldness is come upon Gaza. Ashkelon with her other valleys shall keep her peace. How long wilt thou slay,

is Moab made desolate!' And this cry shall be heard in all her cities.

Make a token unto Moab, that she get her away speedily: for her cities shall be made so desolate, that no man shall dwell therein.

Moab hath ever been rich and careless from her youth up, she hath sitten and taken her ease with her treasure. She was never yet put out of one vessel into another, that is, she never went away into captivity, therefore her taste remaineth, and her savour is not yet changed.

But lo, the time cometh, sayeth the LORD, that I shall send her trussers to truss her up, to prepare and season her vessels: yea her tankards rattle and shake to and fro.

And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, like as Israel was ashamed of Bethel, wherein she put her trust.

Moab shall be destroyed, her cities burnt up: her chosen young men shall be slain, sayeth the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts.

The destruction of Moab cometh on a pace, and her fall is at hand.

All her neighbours shall mourn for her, and all they that know her name, shall say, 'O how happeneth it, that the strong staff and the goodly rod is thus broken?'

The horn of Moab shall be smitten down, and her arm broken, sayeth the LORD.

Make her drunken, for she magnified herself above the LORD, that men may clap their hands at her vomit, and that she also may be laughed into scorn.