16. But the Portion-of-Jacob is the real thing.He put the whole universe togetherAnd pays special attention to Israel.His name? God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
17-18. Grab your bags,all you who are under attack.God has given notice:“Attention! I’m evictingEveryone who lives here,And right now—yes, right now!I’m going to press them to the limit,squeeze the life right out of them.”
19-20. But it’s a black day for me!Hopelessly wounded,I said, “Why, oh whydid I think I could bear it?”My house is ruined—the roof caved in.Our children are gone—we’ll never see them again.No one left to help in rebuilding,no one to make a new start!
21. It’s because our leaders are stupid.They never asked God for counsel,And so nothing worked right.The people are scattered all over.
22. But listen! Something’s coming!A big commotion from the northern borders!Judah’s towns about to be smashed,left to all the stray dogs and cats!
23-25. I know, God, that mere mortalscan’t run their own lives,That men and womendon’t have what it takes to take charge of life.So correct us, God, as you see best.Don’t lose your temper. That would be the end of us.Vent your anger on the godless nations,who refuse to acknowledge you,And on the peoplewho won’t pray to you—The very ones who’ve made hash out of Jacob,yes, made hashAnd devoured him whole,people and pastures alike.