1A prophecy about the Valley of Vision: Tell me what is wrong with you, that you have all gone up on the roofs.
2You city full of noise, confusion and boisterous excitement, your slain did not fall to the sword, nor did they die in battle.
3All your leaders fled together and were captured without the use of a bow; all from you who were found were captured, even though they had fled far away.
4This is why I said, "Don't look at me, leave me alone to weep bitterly, don't try to comfort me over the destruction of my people."
5For it is a day of panic, trampling and confusion from Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot in the Valley of Vision. With walls crashing down, they cry for help to the mountains.
6'Eilam picks up the quivers, with cavalry and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shields.
7In time, your choicest valleys are overrun by chariots, and the cavalry take their posts by the gate;
8thus is Y'hudah's protection removed. That day you looked for the armor in the House of the Forest.
9You saw how many breaches there were in the City of David, you collected water from the lower pool,
10you surveyed the houses in Yerushalayim, tearing some down to fortify the wall.
11You also built a reservoir between the two walls for the water from the Old Pool; but you didn't look to Him who made these things; you had no respect for Him who fashioned them long ago.
12That day Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot called on you to weep and mourn, to shave your heads and wear sackcloth;
13but instead, one sees joy and celebrating, killing of oxen, slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat, drinking of wine "Let's eat and drink now, because tomorrow we'll be dead!"
14Then ADONAI-Tzva'ot revealed himself in my ears: "You will not atone for this iniquity until you die." This is what Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot says.
15Thus says Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot: "Go and find that steward, Shevna, administrator of the palace, and ask him:
16'What do you own here, and who gave you the right to cut yourself a tomb here? Why do you get such an eminent tomb? Why are you carving a resting-place for yourself in the rock?'"
17Look, strong man! ADONAI is about to throw you out! He will grab you,
18roll you up, and toss you around like a ball in the open country. There you will die, with your fancy chariots, you disgrace to your master's palace!
19"I will remove you from your office, I will snatch you from your post.
20When that day comes, I will summon my servant Elyakim the son of Hilkiyahu.
21I will dress him in your robe, gird him with your sash of office, and invest him with your authority. He will be a father to the people living in Yerushalayim and to the house of Y'hudah.
22I will place the key of David's house on his shoulder; no one will shut what he opens; no one will open what he shuts.
23"I will fasten him firmly in place like a peg, so that he will become a seat of honor for his clan.
24They will hang on him all the weight of his clan, descendants and offspring, as well as all the vessels of small capacity, from pitchers to cups.
25When that day comes, the peg fastened firmly in place will give way; it will be cut down and fall, and the weight that was on it will be cut off." For ADONAI has said it.