<p class="poetry">&#8216;We<n id="1" /> are ashamed because we have been insulted.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">Our faces show our disgrace.<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">For foreigners have invadedp> <p class="poetry">the holy rooms<n id="4" /> in the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple.&#8217;p>

<p class="poetry">Even if Babylon climbs high into the sky<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and fortifies her elevated stronghold,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">I will send destroyers against her,&#8221;<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">says the <sc>Lordsc>.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">For a destroyer is attacking Babylon.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Her warriors will be captured;p> <p class="poetry">their bows will be broken.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">For the <sc>Lordsc> is a God who punishes;<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">he pays back in full.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">For messengers are coming, heralding disaster,p> <p class="poetry">from the city of Dan and from the hills of Ephraim.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">They are regarded as &#8216;rejected silver&#8217;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">because the <sc>Lordsc> rejects them.&#8221;p>

<p class="bodytext">Then I said to the people of Judah,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Listen and pay attention! Do not be arrogant!p> <p class="poetry">For the <sc>Lordsc> has spoken.p>

<p class="poetry"><sc>Lordsc>, we confess that we have been wicked.p> <p class="poetry">We confess that our ancestors have done wrong.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">We have indeed<n id="2" /> sinned against you.p>

<p class="poetry"><sc>Lordsc>, grant me relief from my sufferingp> <p class="poetry">so that I may have some relief.p> <p class="poetry">Rescue me from those who persecute mep> <p class="poetry">so that I may be rescued.<n id="1" />p>

When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul,<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;You say, &#8216;The <sc>Lordsc> has raised up prophets of good news<n id="1" /> for us here in Babylon.&#8217;

<t /><p class="bodytext">Moreover,<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc> says to the people of Zion,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Your injuries are incurable;p> <p class="poetry">your wounds are severe.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">I will fully satisfy the needs of those who are wearyp> <p class="poetry">and fully refresh the souls of those who are faint.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">Why will your soldiers<n id="1" /> be defeated?<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">They will not stand because I, the <sc>Lordsc>, will thrust<n id="3" /> them down.p>

<p class="poetry">Moab will be destroyed and no longer be a nation,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">because she has vaunted herself against the <sc>Lordsc>.p>

<p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> says to Edom,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;I will certainly make you small among nations.p> <p class="poetry">I will make you despised by all humankind.p>

<p class="poetry">And you, Zion, city doomed to destruction,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">you accomplish nothing<n id="2" /> by wearing a beautiful dress,<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">decking yourself out in jewels of gold,p> <p class="poetry">and putting on eye shadow!<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">You are making yourself beautiful for nothing.p> <p class="poetry">Your lovers spurn you.p> <p class="poetry">They want to kill you.<n id="5" />p>

<p class="poetry">If people want to boast, they should boast about this:p> <p class="poetry">They should boast that they understand and know me.p> <p class="poetry">They should boast that they know and understandp> <p class="poetry">that I, the <sc>Lordsc>, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earthp> <p class="poetry">and that I desire people to do these things,&#8221;<n id="1" />p> <p class="bodytext">says the <sc>Lordsc>.p>

Even if they fast, I will not hear their cries for help. Even if they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.<n id="1" /> Instead, I will kill them through wars, famines, and plagues.&#8221;<n id="2" />p>

But you should take careful note of this: If you put me to death, you will bring on yourselves and this city and those who live in it the guilt of murdering an innocent man. For the <sc>Lordsc> has sent me to speak all this where you can hear it. That is the truth!&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

Once again there will be sounds<n id="1" /> of joy and gladness and the glad celebrations of brides and grooms.<n id="2" /> Once again people will bring their thank offerings to the temple of the <sc>Lordsc> and will say, &#8220;Give thanks to the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all. For the <sc>Lordsc> is good and his unfailing love lasts forever.&#8221;<n id="3" /> For I, the <sc>Lordsc>, affirm<n id="4" /> that I will restore the land to what it was<n id="5" /> in days of old.&#8217;<n id="6" />p>