Have you not heard?LongagoI didit; From ancienttimesI plannedit. NowI have broughtit to pass,That you should turnfortifiedcitiesinto ruinousheaps.
The counselof the LORDstandsforever,The plansof His heartfrom generationto generation.
For the wrathof manshall praiseYou; With a remnantof wrathYou will girdYourself.
Is the axeto boastitself overthe one who chopswith it? Is the sawto exaltitself overthe one who wieldsit? [That would be] like a clubwieldingthose who liftit, [Or] like a rodlifting[him who] is not wood.
The One forminglightand creatingdarkness,Causingwell-beingand creatingcalamity;I am the LORDwho doesallthese.
"Dripdown,O heavens,from above,And let the cloudspourdownrighteousness;Let the earthopenup and salvationbearfruit,And righteousnessspringup with it. I, the LORD,have createdit.
"Behold,I Myselfhave createdthe smithwho blowsthe fireof coalsAnd bringsout a weaponfor its work;And I have createdthe destroyerto ruin.
For I will makeSamariaa heapof ruinsin the open country,Plantingplacesfor a vineyard.I will pourher stonesdowninto the valleyAnd will laybareher foundations.
