Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on the shields!

The Elamites picked up the quiver, and came with chariots and horsemen; the men of Kir prepared the shield.

Who planned this for royal Tyre, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the dignitaries of the earth?

The way of the righteous is level, the path of the righteous that you make is straight.

Has the Lord struck down Israel like he did their oppressors? Has Israel been killed like their enemies?

I will lay siege to you on all sides; I will besiege you with troops; I will raise siege works against you.

The mind that acts rashly will possess discernment and the tongue that stutters will speak with ease and clarity.

You complacent women, get up and listen to me! You carefree daughters, pay attention to what I say!

The nations run away when they hear a loud noise; the nations scatter when you spring into action!

No resident of Zion will say, “I am ill”; the people who live there will have their sin forgiven.

He pursues them and passes by unharmed; he advances with great speed.

The coastlands see and are afraid; the whole earth trembles; they approach and come.

A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees.

Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the Lord’s power revealed through him?

But approach, you sons of omen readers, you offspring of adulteresses and prostitutes!

Our holy temple, our pride and joy, the place where our ancestors praised you, has been burned with fire; all our prized possessions have been destroyed.

For you will nurse from her satisfying breasts and be nourished; you will feed with joy from her milk-filled breasts.

At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord who commands armies, by a people that are tall and smooth-skinned, a people that are feared far and wide, a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divide. The tribute will be brought to the place where the Lord who commands armies has chosen to reside, on Mount Zion.

Who stirs up this one from the east? Who officially commissions him for service? He hands nations over to him, and enables him to subdue kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, like windblown straw with his bow.

Is this really the kind of fasting I want? Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, bowing their heads like a reed and stretching out on sackcloth and ashes? Is this really what you call a fast, a day that is pleasing to the Lord?