“‘By the strength of my hand^(F) I have done this,^(G)
    and by my wisdom, because I have understanding.
I removed the boundaries of nations,
    I plundered their treasures;^(H)
    like a mighty one I subdued^[a] their kings.^(I)
14 As one reaches into a nest,^(J)
    so my hand reached for the wealth^(K) of the nations;
as people gather abandoned eggs,
    so I gathered all the countries;^(L)
not one flapped a wing,
    or opened its mouth to chirp.^(M)’”

¹⁵ Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it,
    or the saw boast against the one who uses it?^(N)
As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up,
    or a club^(O) brandish the one who is not wood!
¹⁶ Therefore, the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    will send a wasting disease^(P) upon his sturdy warriors;^(Q)
under his pomp^(R) a fire^(S) will be kindled
    like a blazing flame.
¹⁷ The Light of Israel will become a fire,^(T)
    their Holy One^(U) a flame;
in a single day it will burn and consume
    his thorns^(V) and his briers.^(W)
18 The splendor of his forests^(X) and fertile fields
    it will completely destroy,^(Y)
    as when a sick person wastes away.
¹⁹ And the remaining trees of his forests^(Z) will be so few^(AA)
    that a child could write them down.

¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

¹³ Folly is an unruly woman;^(A)
    she is simple and knows nothing.^(B)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,^(C)
15 calling out^(D) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
¹⁶     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense^(E) she says,
¹⁷     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!^(F)”
¹⁸ But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.^(G)