6 You have left Me. This is the Lord’s declaration.You have turned your back,so I have stretched out My hand against youand destroyed you.I am tired of showing compassion.
7 I scattered them with a winnowing forkat the gates of the land.I made them childless; I destroyed My people.They would not turn from their ways.
8 I made their widows more numerousthan the sand of the seas. I brought a destroyer at noonagainst the mother of young men.I suddenly released on heragitation and terrors.
9 The mother of seven grew faint; she breathed her last breath.Her sun set while it was still day;she was ashamed and humiliated.The rest of them I will give over to the swordin the presence of their enemies.”This is the Lord’s declaration.
10 Woe is me, my mother,that you gave birth to me, a man who incites dispute and conflictin all the land.I did not lend or borrow,yet everyone curses me.
11 The Lord said:I will certainly set you free and care for you. I will certainly intercede for youin a time of trouble,in your time of distress, with the enemy.
12 Can anyone smash iron,iron from the north, or bronze?