¹³ Is it not from the Lord of hosts
    that peoples labor only to feed the flames
    and nations weary themselves for nothing?

¹¹ But all of you are kindlers of fire,
    lighters of firebrands.^[a]
Walk in the flame of your fire
    and among the brands that you have kindled!
This is what you shall have from my hand:
    you shall lie down in torment.^(A)

² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread
    and your earnings for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.^(A)

⁵ The coastlands have seen and are afraid;
    the ends of the earth tremble;
    they have drawn near and come.^(A)
6 Each one helps the other,
    saying to one another, “Take courage!”^(B)
7 The artisan encourages the goldsmith,
    and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good,”
    and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.^(C)
8 But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;^(D)

³⁰ No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.^(A)

¹ Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
    the guard keeps watch in vain.^(A)
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil,
    for he gives sleep to his beloved.^[a](B)

¹³ He takes the wise in their own craftiness,
    and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
¹⁴ They meet with darkness in the daytime
    and grope at noonday as in the night.^(A)