1. Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel were standing here pleading with me, I would not show these people any mercy. Make them go away; make them get out of my sight.
2. When they ask you where they should go, tell them that I have said:Some are doomed to die by disease —that's where they will go!Others are doomed to die in war —that's where they will go!Some are doomed to die of starvation —that's where they will go!Others are doomed to be taken away as prisoners —that's where they will go!
3. I, the Lord, have decided that four terrible things will happen to them: they will be killed in war; their bodies will be dragged off by dogs; birds will eat them, and wild animals will devour what is left over.
4. I will make all the people of the world horrified at them because of what Hezekiah's son Manasseh did in Jerusalem when he was king of Judah.”
5. The Lord says,“Who will pity you, people of Jerusalem,and who will grieve over you?Who will stop long enoughto ask how you are?
6. You people have rejected me;you have turned your backs on me.So I stretched out my hand and crushed youbecause I was tired of controlling my anger.
7. In every town in the landI threw you to the wind like straw.I destroyed you, my people,I killed your childrenbecause you did not stop your evil ways.
8. There are more widows in your landthan grains of sand by the sea.I killed your young men in their primeand made their mothers suffer.I suddenly struck themwith anguish and terror.
9. The mother who lost her seven children has fainted,gasping for breath.Her daylight has turned to darkness;she is disgraced and sick at heart.I will let your enemies killthose of you who are still alive.I, the Lord, have spoken.”
10. What an unhappy man I am! Why did my mother bring me into the world? I have to quarrel and argue with everyone in the land. I have not lent any money or borrowed any; yet everyone curses me.