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12 Therefore, thus says the Holy One of Israel:
    Because you reject this word,
And put your trust in oppression and deceit,
    and depend on them,(A)
13 This iniquity of yours shall be
    like a descending rift
Bulging out in a high wall
    whose crash comes suddenly, in an instant,(B)
14 Crashing like a potter’s jar
    smashed beyond rescue,
And among its fragments cannot be found
    a sherd to scoop fire from the hearth
    or dip water from the cistern.(C)
15 For thus said the Lord God,
    the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved,
    in quiet and in trust shall be your strength.
    But this you did not will.(D)
16 “No,” you said,
    “Upon horses we will flee.”
    Very well, you shall flee!
“Upon swift steeds we will ride.”
    Very well, swift shall be your pursuers!(E)
17 A thousand shall tremble at the threat of one—
    if five threaten, you shall flee.
You will then be left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
    like a flag on a hill.(F)

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12 Therefore this is what the Holy One(A) of Israel says:

“Because you have rejected this message,(B)
    relied on oppression(C)
    and depended on deceit,
13 this sin will become for you
    like a high wall,(D) cracked and bulging,
    that collapses(E) suddenly,(F) in an instant.
14 It will break in pieces like pottery,(G)
    shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
    for taking coals from a hearth
    or scooping water out of a cistern.”

15 This is what the Sovereign(H) Lord, the Holy One(I) of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest(J) is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust(K) is your strength,
    but you would have none of it.(L)
16 You said, ‘No, we will flee(M) on horses.’(N)
    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(O)
    you will all flee(P) away,
till you are left(Q)
    like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
    like a banner(R) on a hill.”

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