6 You people have rejected me;you have turned your backs on me.So I reached out and crushed youbecause I was tired of controlling my anger.
7 In every town in the landI threw you to the wind like straw.I destroyed you, my people,I killed your childrenbecause you did not stop your evil ways.
8 There are more widows in your landthan grains of sand by the sea.I killed your young men in their primeand made their mothers suffer.I suddenly struck themwith anguish and terror.
9 The mother who lost her seven children has fainted,gasping for breath.Her daylight has turned to darkness;she is disgraced and sick at heart.I will let your enemies killthose of you who are still alive.I, the Lord, have spoken.”
10 What an unhappy man I am! Why did my mother bring me into the world? I have to quarrel and argue with everyone in the land. I have not lent any money or borrowed any; yet everyone curses me.
11 Lord, may all their curses come true if I have not served you well, if I have not pleaded with you on behalf of my enemies when they were in trouble and distress. (
12 No one can break iron, especially the iron from the north that is mixed with bronze.)