Chapter 15
1 Then the LORD said to me , "Though Moses and Samuel stood before me , yet my mind would not turn towards this people . Cast them out of my sight , and let them go out !
2 It will happen when they ask you , ‘Where shall we go out ?’ then you shall tell them , ‘ The LORD says : " Such as are for death , to death ; such as are for the sword , to the sword ; 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 the LORD : " the sword to kill , the dogs to tear , 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 amongst 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 ? Who will mourn you ? Who will come to ask of your welfare ?
6 You have rejected me ," says the LORD . " You have gone backward. Therefore I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you . I am weary of showing compassion .
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 more than 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 has gone down while it was yet day . She has been disappointed and confounded . I will deliver their residue to the sword before their enemies," says the LORD .
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 every one of them curses me .
11 The LORD said, " Most certainly I will strengthen you for good . Most certainly 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 bronze ?
13 I will give your substance and your treasures for a plunder 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 will burn on you ."
15 LORD , you know . Remember me , visit me , and avenge me of my persecutors . You are patient, so don’t take me away . Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach .
16 Your words were found , and I ate them . Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart , for I am called by your name , LORD , God of Armies .
17 I didn’t sit in the assembly of those who make merry and rejoice . 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, like waters that fail ?
19 Therefore the LORD says , " If you return , then I will bring you again , that you may stand before me ; and if you take out the precious from the vile , you will be as my mouth . They will return to you , but you will not return to them .
20 I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall . They will fight against you , but they will not prevail against you ; for I am with you to save you and to deliver you ," says the LORD .
21 " I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked , and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible ."