19. The people answered,“We are woundedand doomed to die.Why did we saywe could stand the pain?
20. Our homes are destroyed;our children are dead.No one is leftto help us find shelter.”
21. But I told them,“Our leaders were stupid failures,because they refusedto listen to the Lord.And so we've been scatteredlike sheep.
22. “Sounds of destructionrumble from the northlike distant thunder.Soon our towns will be ruinswhere jackals live.”
23. I know, Lord, that we humansare not in controlof our own lives.
24. Correct me, as I deserve,but not in your anger,or I will be dead.
25. Our enemies refuseto admit that you are Godor to worship you.They have wiped out our peopleand left our nationlying in ruins.So get angryand sweep them away!