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22 This is what the Lord says:
“Look, an ·army [people] is coming
    from the land of the north [C Babylon];
a great nation is ·coming [L stirred up]
    from the far sides of the earth.
23 ·The soldiers carry [L They grasp/seize] bows and ·spears [javelins].
    They are ·cruel [fierce] and show no ·mercy [compassion].
They sound like the roaring ·ocean [sea; C symbol of chaos]
    when they ride their horses.
That army is ·coming lined up [or equipped] for battle,
    ready to attack you, ·Jerusalem [L daughter of Zion; C the location of the Temple].”

24 We have heard the news about ·that army [L them]
    and ·are helpless from fear [L our hands grow limp].
We are gripped by our ·pain [distress],
    like a woman ·having a baby [writhing in childbirth].
25 Don’t go out into the fields
    or walk down the ·roads [paths],
because the enemy has swords.
    There is terror on every side.
26 ·My people [L Daughter of my people], put on ·rough cloth [sackcloth; burlap]
    and roll in the ashes [C mourning rituals].
·Cry loudly for those who are dead,
    as if your only son were dead [L Make mourning/Wail for your only son, a bitter lamentation],
because the destroyer
    will ·soon [or suddenly] come against us.

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22 This is what the Lord says:

“Look, an army is coming
    from the land of the north;(A)
a great nation is being stirred up
    from the ends of the earth.(B)
23 They are armed with bow and spear;
    they are cruel and show no mercy.(C)
They sound like the roaring sea(D)
    as they ride on their horses;(E)
they come like men in battle formation
    to attack you, Daughter Zion.(F)

24 We have heard reports about them,
    and our hands hang limp.(G)
Anguish(H) has gripped us,
    pain like that of a woman in labor.(I)
25 Do not go out to the fields
    or walk on the roads,
for the enemy has a sword,
    and there is terror on every side.(J)
26 Put on sackcloth,(K) my people,
    and roll in ashes;(L)
mourn with bitter wailing(M)
    as for an only son,(N)
for suddenly the destroyer(O)
    will come upon us.

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