Dual Panel1The LORD said to me: Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me, I would not be moved to pity this people. Banish them from my presence; let them be gone.
2Should they ask where to go, say to them: These are the words of the LORD: Those who are for the plague shall go to the plague, and those for the sword to the sword; those who are for famine to famine, and those for captivity to captivity.
3Four kinds of doom I ordain for them, says the LORD: the sword to kill, dogs to drag away, birds of prey and wild beasts to devour and destroy.
4I shall make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of the crimes committed in Jerusalem by Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
5Who will take pity on you, Jerusalem, who will offer you consolation? Who will turn aside to ask about your wellbeing?
6You yourselves cast me off, says the LORD, you turned your backs on me, so I stretched out my hand to bring you to ruin; I was weary of relenting.
7I winnowed them and scattered them in every town in the land; I brought bereavement on them, I destroyed my people; they would not abandon their ways.
8I made widows among them more in number than the sands of the seas; I brought upon the mother of young warriors a plunderer at noonday. I made the terror of invasion fall upon her all in a moment.
9The mother of seven sons grew faint, she sank into despair; her light was quenched while it was yet day; she was left humbled and shamed. The remnant I shall give to the sword, to perish at the hand of their enemies. This is the word of the LORD.
10ALAS, my mother, that ever you gave birth to me, a man doomed to strife with the whole world against me! I have borrowed from no one, I have lent to no one, yet everyone abuses me.
11The LORD said: Have I not utterly dismissed you? Shall I not bring the enemy against you in a time of trouble and distress?
12Can iron break steel from the north?
13I shall hand over your wealth as spoil, and your treasure for no payment, because of all your sin throughout your borders.
14I shall make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know; for my anger is a blazing fire and it will flare up against you.
15LORD, you know; remember me, and vindicate me, avenge me on my persecutors. Be patient with me and do not put me off, see what reproaches I endure for your sake.
16When I came on your words I devoured them; they were joy and happiness to me, for you, LORD God of Hosts, have named me yours.
17I have never kept company with revellers, never made merry with them; because I felt your hand upon me I have sat alone, for you have filled me with indignation.
18Why then is my pain unending, and my wound desperate, past all healing? You are to me like a brook that fails, whose waters are not to be relied on.
19This was the LORD's answer: If you turn back to me, I shall take you back and you will stand before me. If you can separate the precious from the base, you will be my spokesman. This people may turn again to you, but you are not to turn to them.
20To withstand them I shall make you strong, an unscaled wall of bronze. Though they attack you, they will not prevail, for I am with you to save and deliver you, says the LORD;
21I shall deliver you from the clutches of the wicked, I shall rescue you from the grasp of the ruthless.