15. Many will stumble.They will fall and be broken.They will be trapped and caught.
16. Tie up the written instructions.Seal the teachings among my disciples.
17. I will wait for the Lord,who hides his face from the descendants of Jacob.I will hope in him.
18. I am here with the children that the Lord has given me.We are signs and symbols in Israelfrom the Lord of Armies, who lives on Mount Zion.
19. People will say to you, “Ask for help from the mediumsand the fortunetellers, who whisper and mutter.”Shouldn’t people ask their God for help instead?Why should they ask the dead to help the living?
20. They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions.If people don’t speak these words,it is because it doesn’t dawn on them.
21. They will pass through the land when they are hard-pressed and hungry.When they are hungry, they will be furious.Then they will look up, cursing their king and God.
22. They will look at the earth and see only distress and gloom.They will go in anguish and be forced into darkness.