Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.\par
{\b Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish;\par\tab For I work a work in your days,\par\tab A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.}\par
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.\par
And it came to pass, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that {\i the king} cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier.
Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.\par