20 "Don’t say this, but let yourself be persuaded because of Zion’s fate and be consoled because of Jerusalem’s grief.
21 You see that our sanctuary is laid waste, our altar is demolished, our temple is destroyed,
22 our harp is brought low, our hymnody has been silenced, our joy is undone, the light of our lampstand is extinguished, the chest containing our covenant has been taken as plunder, our holy things have been defiled, and the name that is invoked over us has been dishonored. Our free citizens have suffered abuse, our priests have been burned to death, our Levites have gone into captivity, our virgins have been defiled, our wives have been raped, our righteous men have been snatched away, our little ones have been given over, our youths have been enslaved, and our strong men have been deprived of strength.
23 Even more than all this, the seal of Zion (for she has now loosed the seal of her glory) is handed over to those who hate us.
24 Shake off your great sadness then, and put away the multitude of your sorrows so that the mighty one may show you favor and the Most High may give you peace and rest from your labors."
25 While I was speaking to her, look! Suddenly her face shone brightly and her countenance became a flashing splendor. I became afraid of her, and I wondered what was happening.
26 Without warning she let out a noise, a great voice full of fear, so that the earth itself shook with the sound.