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.
11. Lord, may all their curses come true if I have not served you well, if I have not pleaded with you on behalf of my enemies when they were in trouble and distress.
12. (No one can break iron, especially the iron from the north that is mixed with bronze.)
13. The Lord said to me, “I will send enemies to carry away the wealth and treasures of my people, in order to punish them for the sins they have committed throughout the land.
14. I will make them serve their enemies in a land they know nothing about, because my anger is like fire, and it will burn for ever.”
15. Then I said, “Lord, you understand. Remember me and help me. Let me have revenge on those who persecute me. Do not be so patient with them that they succeed in killing me. Remember that it is for your sake that I am insulted.
16. You spoke to me, and I listened to every word. I belong to you, Lord God Almighty, and so your words filled my heart with joy and happiness.
17. I did not spend my time with other people, laughing and having a good time. In obedience to your orders I stayed by myself and was filled with anger.