5 It looked like axes raisedagainst a thicket of trees.
6 And then all its carvingsthey hacked down with hatchet and pick.
7 They set fire to your sanctuary, burned it to the ground;they defiled the dwelling place of your name.
8 They said in their hearts, We’ll kill all of them together!They burned all of God’s meeting places in the land.
9 We don’t see our own signs anymore.No prophet is left.And none of us know how long it will last.
10 How long, God, will foes insult you?Are enemies going to abuse your name forever?
11 Why do you pull your hand back?Why do you hold your strong hand close to your chest?