12 Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says:

(A)Since you have rejected this word
And have put your trust in (B)oppression and crookedness, and have relied on them,
13 Therefore this (C)wrongdoing will be to you
Like a (D)breach about to fall,
A bulge in a high wall,
Whose collapse comes (E)suddenly in an instant,
14 Whose collapse is like the smashing of a (F)potter’s jar,
[a]So ruthlessly shattered
That a shard will not be found among its pieces
To [b]take fire from a hearth
Or to scoop water from a cistern.”

15 For this is what the Lord [c]God, the Holy One of Israel, has said:

“In [d]repentance and (G)rest you will be saved,
In (H)quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,
16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on (I)horses!”
Therefore you shall flee!
“And we will ride on swift horses!”
Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.
17 (J)One thousand will flee at the threat of one man;
You will flee at the threat of five,
Until you are left like a signal post on a mountain top,
And like a flag on a hill.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 30:14 Lit Crushed, it will not be spared
  2. Isaiah 30:14 Lit snatch up
  3. Isaiah 30:15 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord
  4. Isaiah 30:15 Lit returning

12 Therefore this is what the Holy One(A) of Israel says:

“Because you have rejected this message,(B)
    relied on oppression(C)
    and depended on deceit,
13 this sin will become for you
    like a high wall,(D) cracked and bulging,
    that collapses(E) suddenly,(F) in an instant.
14 It will break in pieces like pottery,(G)
    shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
    for taking coals from a hearth
    or scooping water out of a cistern.”

15 This is what the Sovereign(H) Lord, the Holy One(I) of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest(J) is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust(K) is your strength,
    but you would have none of it.(L)
16 You said, ‘No, we will flee(M) on horses.’(N)
    Therefore you will flee!
You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’
    Therefore your pursuers will be swift!
17 A thousand will flee
    at the threat of one;
at the threat of five(O)
    you will all flee(P) away,
till you are left(Q)
    like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
    like a banner(R) on a hill.”

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