[1] Then said Yahweh to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my
mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let
them go forth. [2] It shall happen, when they tell you, Where shall we go
forth? then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh: Such as are for death,
to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for
the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity. [3]
I will appoint over them four kinds, says Yahweh: the sword to kill, and
the dogs to tear, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth,
to devour and to destroy. [4] I will cause them to be tossed back and forth
among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of
Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem. [5] For who
will have pity on you, Jerusalem? or who will bemoan you? or who will turn
aside to ask of your welfare? [6] You have rejected me, says Yahweh, you
are gone backward: therefore have I stretched out my hand against you, and
destroyed you; I am weary with repenting. [7] I have winnowed them with a
fan in the gates of the land; I have bereaved [them] of children, I have
destroyed my people; they didn`t return from their ways. [8] Their widows
are increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought on them
against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday: I have caused
anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly. [9] She who has borne seven
languishes; she has given up the spirit; her sun is gone down while it was
yet day; she has been put to shame and confounded: and the residue of them
will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, says Yahweh. [10] Woe is
me, my mother, that you have borne me a man of strife and a man of
contention to the whole earth! I have not lent, neither have men lent to
me; [yet] everyone of them does curse me. [11] Yahweh said, Most assuredly
I will strengthen you for good; most assuredly I will cause the enemy to
make supplication to you in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
[12] Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and brass? [13] Your
substance and your treasures will I give for a spoil without price, and
that for all your sins, even in all your borders. [14] I will make [them]
to pass with your enemies into a land which you don`t know; for a fire is
kindled in my anger, which shall burn on you. [15] Yahweh, you know;
remember me, and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors; don`t take me
away in your longsuffering: know that for your sake I have suffered
reproach. [16] Your words were found, and I ate them; and your words were
to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name,
Yahweh, God of hosts. [17] I didn`t sit in the assembly of those who make
merry, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of your hand; for you have filled
me with indignation. [18] Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable,
which refuses to be healed? will you indeed be to me as a deceitful
[brook], as waters that fail? [19] Therefore thus says Yahweh, If you
return, then will I bring you again, that you may stand before me; and if
you take forth the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth: they
shall return to you, but you shall not return to them. [20] I will make you
to this people a fortified brazen wall; and they shall fight against you,
but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and
to deliver you, says Yahweh. [21] I will deliver you out of the hand of the
wicked, and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible.
