15-17 What’s this? A messenger from Dan?
    Bad news from Ephraim’s hills!
Make the report public.
    Broadcast the news to Jerusalem:
“Invaders from far off are
    raising war cries against Judah’s towns.
They’re all over her, like a dog on a bone.
    And why? Because she rebelled against me.”
        God’s Decree.

18 “It’s the way you’ve lived
    that’s brought all this on you.
The bitter taste is from your evil life.
    That’s what’s piercing your heart.”

* * *

19-21 I’m doubled up with cramps in my belly—
    a poker burns in my gut.
My insides are tearing me up,
    never a moment’s peace.
The ram’s horn trumpet blast rings in my ears,
    the signal for all-out war.
Disaster hard on the heels of disaster,
    the whole country in ruins!
In one stroke my home is destroyed,
    the walls flattened in the blink of an eye.
How long do I have to look at the warning flares,
    listen to the siren of danger?

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17 They surround(A) her like men guarding a field,
    because she has rebelled(B) against me,’”
declares the Lord.
18 “Your own conduct and actions(C)
    have brought this on you.(D)
This is your punishment.
    How bitter(E) it is!
    How it pierces to the heart!”

19 Oh, my anguish, my anguish!(F)
    I writhe in pain.(G)
Oh, the agony of my heart!
    My heart pounds(H) within me,
    I cannot keep silent.(I)
For I have heard the sound of the trumpet;(J)
    I have heard the battle cry.(K)

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