<t /><p class="poetry">This is what the <sc>Lordsc> says:<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Even though<n id="2" /> they are powerful<n id="3" /> &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">and what is more,<n id="4" /> even though their army is numerous<n id="5" /> &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">nevertheless,<n id="6" /> they will be destroyed<n id="7" /> and trickle away!<n id="8" />p> <p class="poetry">Although I afflicted you,p> <p class="poetry">I will afflict you no more.<n id="9" />p>

<t /><p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> has issued a decree against you:<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Your dynasty will come to an end.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods.p> <p class="poetry">I will desecrate<n id="3" /> your grave &#8211; because you are accursed!&#8221;<n id="4" />p>

<t /><p class="poetry"><v id="(2:1)" /><n id="1" /> Look! A herald is running<n id="2" /> on the mountains!p> <p class="poetry">A messenger is proclaiming deliverance:<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Celebrate your sacred festivals, O Judah!p> <p class="poetry">Fulfill your sacred vows to praise God!<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">For never again<n id="5" /> will the wicked<n id="6" /> Assyrians<n id="7" /> invade<n id="8" /> you,p> <p class="poetry">they<n id="9" /> have been completely destroyed.&#8221;<n id="10" />p>

<t /><p class="poetry">&#8220;I am against you!&#8221; declares<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc> who commands armies:<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;I will burn your chariots<n id="3" /> with fire;<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">the sword will devour your young lions;<n id="5" />p> <p class="poetry">you will no longer prey upon the land;<n id="6" />p> <p class="poetry">the voices of your messengers<n id="7" /> will no longer be heard.&#8221;p>