TO THE COASTLANDS

Beloved, say to the coastlands:

You rejoice over the fallen enemy, but I tell you now that the enemy is already inside the gates of your dwelling. They live and work alongside your people. They sleep in your cities, towns and villages. The day will come when your great cities are destroyed. In that day, the enemy will overrun those towns and villages still standing. Your people will be weakened by the clouds of smoke and their own fear, so your capture will be swift. Their rule will be cruel and merciless.

Turn back to me - repent. Will you cry to me in your distress after your capture, or will you turn the incense of your prayers and supplications to me before the day of your destruction? Do not hand the land to your enemy, repent now while the land is still in your hand and peace still reigns on your shores. For I tell you, not by my hand, but by the hand of the godless one, the enemy waits to swarm over you in your hour of despair like an infestation of roaches.

"Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are false." Jeremiah 10:2-3 RSV