<t /><p class="poetry">&#8220;I destroyed<n id="1" /> nations;p> <p class="poetry">their walled cities<n id="2" /> are in ruins.p> <p class="poetry">I turned their streets into ruins;p> <p class="poetry">no one passes through them.p> <p class="poetry">Their cities are desolate;<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">no one lives there.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">I will bring distress on the people<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and they will stumble<n id="2" /> like blind men,p> <p class="poetry">for they have sinned against the <sc>Lordsc>.p> <p class="poetry">Their blood will be poured out like dirt;p> <p class="poetry">their flesh<n id="3" /> will be scattered<n id="4" /> like manure.p>

<p class="poetry">Her princes<n id="1" /> are as fierce as roaring lions;<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">her rulers<n id="3" /> are as hungry as wolves in the desert,<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">who completely devour their prey by morning.<n id="5" />p>

<p class="poetry">Shout for joy, Daughter Zion!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Shout out, Israel!p> <p class="poetry">Be happy and boast with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!p>

<p class="poetry">Flocks and herds<n id="1" /> will lie down in the middle of it,p> <p class="poetry">as well as every kind of wild animal.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">Owls<n id="3" /> will sleep in the tops of its support pillars;p> <p class="poetry">they will hoot through the windows.<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">Rubble will cover the thresholds;<n id="5" />p> <p class="poetry">even the cedar work<n id="6" /> will be exposed to the elements.<n id="7" />p>

<p class="poetry">Seek the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s favor,<n id="1" /> all you humble people<n id="2" /> of the land who have obeyed his commands!<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">Strive to do what is right!<n id="4" /> Strive to be humble!<n id="5" />p> <p class="poetry">Maybe you will be protected<n id="6" /> on the day of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s angry judgment.p>