68. A vast mob of people is ready now to descend on you and devour you like flames. They will drag some of you off and force you to eat pagan sacrifices.
69. If you give in to them, they will ridicule you, mock you, and humiliate you.
70. In many places near the cities there will be violent persecution against those who fear the Lord.
71. The attackers will act like wild men; they will plunder and destroy without pity all those who still fear the Lord.
72. They will turn them out of their homes and take away all their possessions.
73. This will be the time of testing for my chosen people, and they will prove to be as pure as refined gold.
74. But listen to what the Lord says: “My chosen people, the time of terrible suffering is near, but I will rescue you.