1 * The Lord said to me:

Even if Moses and Samuel were here, praying with you, I wouldn't change my mind. So send the people of Judah away. 2 * And when they ask where they are going, tell them that I, the Lord, have said:

Some of you are going to die

of horrible diseases.

Others are going to die in war

or from starvation.

The rest will be led away

to a foreign country.

3 I will punish you

in four different ways:

You will be killed in war

and your bodies dragged off

by dogs,

your flesh will be eaten by birds,

and your bones will be chewed on

by wild animals.

4 * This punishment will happen

because of the horrible things*

your King Manasseh* did.

And you will be disgusting

to all nations on earth.

5 People of Jerusalem,

who will feel sorry for you?

Will anyone bother

to ask if you are well?

6 My people, you abandoned me

and walked away.

I am tired of showing mercy;

that's why I'll destroy you

7 by scattering you like straw

blown by the wind.

I will punish you with sorrow

and death,

because you refuse

to change your ways.

8 There will be more widows

in Judah

than grains of sand on a beach.

A surprise attack at noon!

And the mothers in Jerusalem

mourn for their children.

9 A mother is in deep despair

and struggles for breath.

Her daylight has turned

to darkness—

she has suffered the loss

of her seven sons.

I will kill anyone who survives.

I, the Lord, have spoken.

10 I wish I had never been born!

I'm always in trouble

with everyone in Judah.

I never lend or borrow money,

but everyone curses me

just the same.

11 Then the Lord replied,

"I promise to protect you,

and when disaster comes,

even your enemies

will beg you for help."*

12 People of Judah,

just as you can't break iron

mixed with bronze,

you can't defeat the enemies

that will attack

from the north.

13 I will give them

everything you own,

because you have sinned

everywhere in your country.

14 My anger is a fire

that cannot be put out,*

so I will make you slaves

of your enemies

in a foreign land.*

15 You can see how I suffer

insult after insult,

all because of you, Lord.

Don't be so patient

with my enemies;

take revenge on them

before they kill me.

16 When you spoke to me,

I was glad to obey,

because I belong to you,

the Lord All-Powerful.

17 I don't go to parties

and have a good time.

Instead, I keep to myself,

because you have filled me

with your anger.

18 I am badly injured

and in constant pain.

Are you going to disappoint me,

like a stream that goes dry

in the heat of summer?

19 Then the Lord told me:

Stop talking like a fool!

If you turn back to me

and speak my message,

I will let you be my prophet

once again.

I hope the people of Judah

will accept what you say.

But you can ignore their threats,

* 20 because I am making you strong,

like a bronze wall.

They are evil and violent,

but when they attack,

21 I will be there to rescue you.

I, the Lord, have spoken.