16. Your words were found, and I ate them,And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;For I am called by Your name,O Lord God of hosts.
17. I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers,Nor did I rejoice;I sat alone because of Your hand,For You have filled me with indignation.
18. Why is my pain perpetualAnd my wound incurable,Which refuses to be healed?Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream,As waters that fail?
19. Therefore thus says the Lord:“If you return,Then I will bring you back;You shall stand before Me;If you take out the precious from the vile,You shall be as My mouth.Let them return to you,But you must not return to them.
20. And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall;And they will fight against you,But they shall not prevail against you;For I am with you to save youAnd deliver you,” says the Lord.