2. And if they say, "Go where?" tell them, This is what the Lord proclaims:Those marked for death—to death,those marked for war—to war,those marked for famine—to famine, and those marked for exile—to exile.
3. I will appoint over them four agents of death, declares the Lord: soldiers to kill, dogs to drag off, and vultures and wild animals to devour and destroy.
4. Because of what Judah’s King Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, has done in Jerusalem, I will make them an object of horror to all nations on earth.
5. Who will pity you, Jerusalem?Who will shed tears over you?Who will stop and ask how you’re doing?
6. You have deserted me,declares the Lord.You have turned your back on me.So I will turn my hand against youand destroy you.I’m tired of holding back.
7. I will winnow them with a winnowing forkat the gates of their country.I will bereave and destroy my peoplebecause they haven’t changed their ways.
8. Their widows will outnumberthe sand on the shore.I will bring a destroyer in broad daylightagainst the mothers of young men.Suddenly I will bring distressand terror upon them.
9. The mother of sevenwill grow weak and gasp for air;her sun will set while it is yet day;she will be ashamed and disgraced.I will deliver the survivors to the sword,to the power of their enemies,declares the Lord.
10. I wish I had never been born! I have become a source of conflict and dissension in my own country. Even though I haven’t lent or borrowed, still everyone curses me.
11. The Lord said:Haven’t I taken care of you?Haven’t I helped you with your enemiesin time of trouble and distress?