His descendants will be powerful on the earth; the godly will be blessed.

I had faith when I said, “I am severely oppressed.”

If only I were predisposed to keep your statutes!

I run along the path of your commands, for you enable me to do so.

Show your servant your loyal love! Teach me your statutes!

The Lord is just; he cut the ropes of the wicked.”

Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord! I run to you for protection.

(She is loud and rebellious, she does not remain at home –

Righteousness guards the one who lives with integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire.

A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice.

Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

The Lover to His Beloved: O my beloved, you are like a mare among Pharaoh’s stallions.

So I will choose severe punishment for them; I will bring on them what they dread, because I called, and no one responded, I spoke and they did not listen. They did evil before me; they chose to do what displeases me.”

They will come back shedding tears of contrition. I will bring them back praying prayers of repentance. I will lead them besides streams of water, along smooth paths where they will never stumble. I will do this because I am Israel’s father; Ephraim is my firstborn son.’”

You will die a peaceful death. They will burn incense at your burial just as they did at the burial of your ancestors, the former kings who preceded you. They will mourn for you, saying, “Poor, poor master!” Indeed, you have my own word on this. I, the Lord, affirm it!’”

I will destroy you, O Israel! Who is there to help you?

Listen to this funeral song I am ready to sing about you, family of Israel:

This is how the once-proud city will end up – the city that was so secure. She thought to herself, “I am unique! No one can compare to me!” What a heap of ruins she has become, a place where wild animals live! Everyone who passes by her taunts her and shakes his fist.

“Escape, Zion, you who live among the Babylonians!”