“Because you have rejected this message,^(B)
    relied on oppression^(C)
    and depended on deceit,

²⁴ Therefore, as tongues of fire^(A) lick up straw^(B)
    and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,
so their roots will decay^(C)
    and their flowers blow away like dust;^(D)
for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty
    and spurned the word^(E) of the Holy One^(F) of Israel.

“For three sins of Judah,^(A)
    even for four, I will not relent.
Because they have rejected the law^(B) of the Lord
    and have not kept his decrees,^(C)
because they have been led astray^(D) by false gods,^[a](E)
    the gods^[b] their ancestors followed,^(F)

²⁵ This is your lot,
    the portion^(A) I have decreed for you,”
declares the Lord,
“because you have forgotten^(B) me
    and trusted in false gods.^(C)

¹⁰ You have trusted^(A) in your wickedness
    and have said, ‘No one sees me.’^(B)
Your wisdom^(C) and knowledge mislead^(D) you
    when you say to yourself,
    ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’

“In repentance and rest^(C) is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust^(D) is your strength,
    but you would have none of it.^(E)
16 You said, ‘No, we will flee^(F) on horses.’^(G)
    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^(H)
    you will all flee^(I) away,
till you are left^(J)
    like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
    like a banner^(K) on a hill.”