But this is a people that is robbed and wasted. They are all the snare of young men, and they are hid in the houses of prisons. They are made a prey, and there is none to deliver them; a spoil, and there is none that saith: Restore.
And after all that is come upon us, for our most wicked deeds, and our great sin, seeing that thou our God hast saved us from our iniquity, and hast given us a deliverance as at this day,
For we are bondmen, and in our bondage our God hath not forsaken us, but hath extended mercy upon us before the king of the Persians, to give us life, and to set up the house of our God, and rebuild the desolations thereof, and to give us a fence in Juda and Jerusalem.
Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong: because he hath delivered his soul unto death and was reputed with the wicked. And he hath borne the sins of many and hath prayed for the transgressors.
And the fruits thereof grow up for the kings, whom thou hast set over us for our sins; and they have dominion over our bodies, and over our beasts, according to their will; and we are in great tribulation.
Their roaring like that of a lion: they shall roar like young lions. Yea they shall roar and take hold of the prey, and they shall keep fast hold of it, and there shall be none to deliver it.
Behold I come against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will burn thy chariots even to smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey out of the land, and the voice of thy messengers shall be heard no more.