When he had secured control of the kingdom, he executed the servants who had assassinated his father.

The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, bringing death and destruction, and they did as they pleased with their enemies.

People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me.

For they harass the one whom you discipline; they spread the news about the suffering of those whom you punish.

My heart is parched and withered like grass, for I am unable to eat food.

It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong.

Do not withhold discipline from a child; even if you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

You will say, “They have struck me, but I am not harmed! They beat me, but I did not know it! When will I awake? I will look for another drink.”

The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak, those watchmen on the walls!

Why do you insist on being battered? Why do you continue to rebel? Your head has a massive wound, your whole body is weak.

The people did not return to the one who struck them, they did not seek reconciliation with the Lord who commands armies.

It furiously struck down nations with unceasing blows. It angrily ruled over nations, oppressing them without restraint.

I offered my back to those who attacked, my jaws to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting.

But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.

I was angry because of their sinful greed; I attacked them and angrily rejected them, yet they remained disobedient and stubborn.

Foreigners will rebuild your walls; their kings will serve you. Even though I struck you down in my anger, I will restore my favor and have compassion on you.

“It did no good for me to punish your people. They did not respond to such correction. You slaughtered your prophets like a voracious lion.”

I will kill everything living in Jerusalem, people and animals alike! They will die from terrible diseases.

The king of Babylon ordered them to be executed at Riblah in the territory of Hamath. So Judah was taken into exile away from its land.

“‘See, I strike my hands together at the dishonest profit you have made, and at the bloodshed they have done among you.