24. You'll be struck by starvationand deadly diseases,by the fangs of wild animalsand poisonous snakes.
25. Young and old alikewill be killed in the streetsand terrified at home.
26. “I wanted to scatter you,so no one would rememberthat you had ever lived.
27. But I dreaded the soundof your enemies saying,‘We defeated Israel with no helpfrom the Lord.’ ”
28. People of Israel,that's what the Lordhas said to you.But you don't have good sense,and you never listento advice.
29. If you did, you could seewhere you are headed.
30. How could one enemy soldierchase a thousandof Israel's troops?Or how could two of theirspursue ten thousand of ours?It can only happen if the Lordstops protecting Israeland lets the enemy win.
31. Even our enemies knowthat only our Godis a Mighty Rock.
32. Our enemies are grapevinesrooted in the fieldsof Sodom and Gomorrah.The grapes they produceare full of bitter poison;
33. their wine is more deadlythan cobra venom.
34. But the Lord has writtena list of their sinsand locked it in his vault.
35. Soon our enemies will getwhat they deserve—suddenly they will slip,and total disasterwill quickly follow.
36. When only a fewof the Lord's people remain,when their strength is gone,and some of them are slaves,the Lord will feel sorry for themand give them justice.
37. But first the Lord will say,“You ran for safety to other gods—couldn't they help you?
38. You offered them wineand your best sacrifices.Can't those gods help you nowor give you protection?
39. Don't you understand?I am the only God;there are no others.I am the one who takes lifeand gives it again.I punished you with suffering.But now I will heal you,and nothing can stop me!