1 You defeated my people.Now you're in for trouble!You've never been destroyed,but you will be destroyed;you've never been betrayed,but you will be betrayed.When you have finisheddestroying and betraying,you will be destroyedand betrayed in return.
2 Please, Lord, be kind to us!We depend on you.Make us strong each morning,and come to save uswhen we are in trouble.
3 Nations scatter when you roarand show your greatness.
4 We attack our enemieslike swarms of locusts;we take everythingthat belongs to them.
5 You, Lord, are above all others,and you live in the heavens.You have brought justiceand fairness to Jerusalem;
6 you are the foundationon which we stand today.You always save us and givetrue wisdom and knowledge.Nothing means more to usthan obeying you.
7 Listen! Our bravest soldiersare running through the streets,screaming for help.Our messengers hoped for peace,but came home crying.
8 No one travels anymore;every road is empty.Treaties are broken,and no respect is shownto any who keep promises.
9 Fields are dry and barren;Mount Lebanon wiltswith shame.Sharon Valley is a desert;the forests of Bashan and Carmelhave lost their leaves.
10 But the Lord says,“Now I will do somethingand be greatly praised.
11 Your deeds are strawthat will be set on fireby your very own breath.
12 You will be burned to asheslike thorns in a fire.
13 Everyone, both far and near,come look at what I have done.See my mighty power!”
14 Those terrible sinnerson Mount Zion trembleas they ask in fear,“How can we possibly livewhere a raging firenever stops burning?”
15 But there will be rewardsfor those who live rightand tell the truth,for those who refuseto take money by forceor accept bribes,for all who hate murderand violent crimes.
16 They will live in a fortresshigh on a rocky cliff,where they will have foodand plenty of water.
17 With your own eyesyou will see the glorious King;you will see his kingdomreaching far and wide.
18 Then you will ask yourself,“Where are those officialswho terrified us and forced usto pay such heavy taxes?”
19 You will never again have to seethe proud people who spokea strange and foreign languageyou could not understand.
20 Look to Mount Zionwhere we celebrateour religious festivals.You will see Jerusalem,secure as a tent with pegsthat cannot be pulled upand fastened with ropesthat can never be broken.
21 Our wonderful Lordwill be with us!There will be deep riversand wide streamssafe from enemy ships.
22 The Lord is our judgeand our ruler;the Lord is our kingand will keep us safe.
23 But your nation is a shipwith its rigging loose,its mast shaky,and its sail not spread.Someday even you that are lamewill take everything you wantfrom your enemies.
24 The Lord will forgive your sins,and none of you will say,“I feel sick.”