"For [there is] a testing;and whatifeventhe rodwhich despiseswill be nomore?" declaresthe LordGOD.
"Ifthe scourgekillssuddenly,He mocksthe despairof the innocent.
For the wickedboastsof his heart'sdesire,And the greedymancurses[and] spurnsthe LORD.
Sharpenedto makea slaughter,Polishedto flashlike lightning!'Orshall we rejoice,the rodof My sondespisingeverytree?
"Cryout and wail,sonof man;for it is against My people,it is against allthe officialsof Israel.They are deliveredover to the swordwith My people,thereforestrike[your] thigh.
"You therefore, sonof man,prophesyand clap[your] handstogether;and let the swordbe doubledthe thirdtime,the swordfor the slain.It is the swordfor the greatoneslain,which surroundsthem,
And you, O slain,wickedone,the princeof Israel,whosedayhas come,in the timeof the punishmentof the end,'
that in a greatordealof afflictiontheir abundanceof joyand their deeppovertyoverflowedin the wealthof their liberality.
