1 The Lord declares, “At that time the bones of the kings and the leaders of Judah, the bones of the priests and the prophets, and the bones of the others who lived in Jerusalem will be taken out of their graves.
2 They will be spread out and exposed to the sun, the moon, and all the stars in the sky. These are the things that they had loved, served, gone after, sought, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered or buried, but they will become manure on the ground.
3 “Then the few who remain from these wicked people will want to die rather than live where I will scatter them,” declares the Lord of Armies.
4 “Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says:
5 The people of Jerusalem turned away from me without ever returning.
6 I have paid attention and listened,
7 Even storks know when it’s time to return.
8 “ ‘How can you say that you are wise
9 Wise people are put to shame, confused, and trapped.
10 That is why I will give their wives to other men
11 They treat my dear people’s wounds
12 Are they ashamed that they do disgusting things?
13 “ ‘I would have gathered their harvest,’ ” declares the Lord,
14 Why are we just sitting here? Let’s get up!
15 We hoped for peace, but nothing good has happened.
16 The snorting of horses can be heard from Dan.
17 “I am going to send snakes among you,
18 Sorrow has overwhelmed me.
19 The cry from my dear people comes from a distant land:
20 The harvest is past,
21 I am crushed because my dear people have been crushed.
22 Isn’t there medicine in Gilead?