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20 They were proud of their beautiful jewelry
    and used it to make detestable idols and vile images.
Therefore, I will make all their wealth
    disgusting to them.
21 I will give it as plunder to foreigners,
    to the most wicked of nations,
    and they will defile it.
22 I will turn my eyes from them
    as these robbers invade and defile my treasured land.

23 “Prepare chains for my people,
    for the land is bloodied by terrible crimes.
    Jerusalem is filled with violence.
24 I will bring the most ruthless of nations
    to occupy their homes.
I will break down their proud fortresses
    and defile their sanctuaries.
25 Terror and trembling will overcome my people.
    They will look for peace but not find it.
26 Calamity will follow calamity;
    rumor will follow rumor.
They will look in vain
    for a vision from the prophets.
They will receive no teaching from the priests
    and no counsel from the leaders.
27 The king and the prince will stand helpless,
    weeping in despair,
and the people’s hands
    will tremble with fear.
I will bring on them
    the evil they have done to others,
and they will receive the punishment
    they so richly deserve.
Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

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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