20 They took pride in their beautiful jewelry
    and used it to make(A) their detestable idols.
They made it into vile images;(B)
    therefore I will make it a thing unclean for them.(C)
21 I will give their wealth as plunder(D) to foreigners
    and as loot to the wicked of the earth,
    who will defile it.(E)
22 I will turn my face(F) away from the people,
    and robbers will desecrate the place I treasure.
They will enter it
    and will defile it.(G)

23 “‘Prepare chains!
    For the land is full of bloodshed,(H)
    and the city is full of violence.(I)
24 I will bring the most wicked of nations
    to take possession of their houses.
I will put an end to the pride of the mighty,
    and their sanctuaries(J) will be desecrated.(K)
25 When terror comes,
    they will seek peace in vain.(L)
26 Calamity upon calamity(M) will come,
    and rumor upon rumor.
They will go searching for a vision from the prophet,(N)
    priestly instruction in the law will cease,
    the counsel of the elders will come to an end.(O)
27 The king will mourn,
    the prince will be clothed with despair,(P)
    and the hands of the people of the land will tremble.
I will deal with them according to their conduct,(Q)
    and by their own standards I will judge them.

“‘Then they will know that I am the Lord.(R)’”

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20 From their[a] beautiful ornament, in which they took pride, they made their abominable images, their detestable things; therefore I will make of it an unclean thing to them.(A)

21 I will hand it over to strangers as plunder,
    to the wicked of the earth as spoil;
    they shall profane it.(B)
22 I will avert my face from them
    so that they may profane my treasured[b] place;
the violent shall enter it;
    they shall profane it.(C)
23 Make a chain![c]
For the land is full of bloody crimes;
    the city is full of violence.(D)
24 I will bring the worst of the nations
    to take possession of their houses.
I will put an end to the arrogance of the strong,
    and their holy places shall be profaned.(E)
25 When anguish comes, they will seek peace,
    but there shall be none.(F)
26 Disaster comes upon disaster;
    rumor follows rumor;
they shall keep seeking a vision from the prophet;
    instruction shall perish from the priest
    and counsel from the elders.(G)
27 The king shall mourn,
    the prince shall be wrapped in despair,
    and the hands of the people of the land shall tremble.
According to their way I will deal with them;
    according to their own judgments I will judge them.

And they shall know that I am the Lord.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 7.20 Syr Symmachus: Heb its
  2. 7.22 Or secret
  3. 7.23 Meaning of Heb uncertain