5. Or let it take hold of My strength;let it make peace with Me —make peace with Me.
6. In days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will blossom and bloom and fill the whole world with fruit.
7. Did the Lord strike Israelas He struck the one who struck Israel? Was he killed like those killed by Him?
8. You disputed with herby banishing and driving her away. He removed her with His severe stormon the day of the east wind.
9. Therefore Jacob’s iniquity will be purged in this way,and the result of the removal of his sin will be this: when he makes all the altar stoneslike crushed bits of chalk,no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.
10. For the fortified city will be deserted,pastures abandoned and forsaken like a wilderness.Calves will graze there,and there they will spread out and strip its branches.