"Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: `Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.

"And now, I will tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down.

"Woe to the Assyrian, the rod of Mine anger, and the staff in their hand is Mine indignation!

I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of My wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I, the LORD, do all these things.

Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.

But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?