"Can the preybe takenfrom the mightyman,Orthe captivesof a tyrant be rescued?"
"Afterallthat has comeupon us for our evildeedsand our greatguilt,sinceYou our Godhave requited[us] lessthanour iniquities[deserve], and have givenus an escapedremnantas this,
"For we are slaves;yet in our bondageour Godhas not forsakenus, but has extendedlovingkindnessto us in the sightof the kingsof Persia,to giveus revivingto raiseup the houseof our God,to restoreits ruinsand to giveus a wallin Judahand Jerusalem.
"However, You are justin allthat has comeupon us; For You have dealtfaithfully,but we have actedwickedly.
"Its abundantproduceis for the kingsWhomYou have setoverus because of our sins;They also ruleoverour bodiesAnd over our cattleas they please,So we are in greatdistress.
But thisis a peopleplunderedand despoiled;Allof them are trappedin caves,Or are hiddenaway in prisons;They have becomea preywith noneto deliver[them], And a spoil,with noneto say,"Give[them] back!"
Its roaringis like a lioness,and it roarslike younglions;It growlsas it seizesthe preyAnd carries[it] offwith nooneto deliver[it].
Therefore,I will allotHim a portionwith the great,And He will dividethe bootywith the strong;BecauseHe pouredout Himselfto death,And was numberedwith the transgressors;Yet He Himselfborethe sinof many,And intercededfor the transgressors.
Then He saidto me, "Sonof man,thesebonesare the wholehouseof Israel;behold,they say,Our bonesare driedup and our hopehas perished.We are completely cutoff.'
He saidto me, "Sonof man,can theseboneslive?"And I answered,"O LordGOD,You know."
"Behold,I am againstyou," declaresthe LORDof hosts."I will burnup her chariotsin smoke,a swordwill devouryour younglions;I will cutoffyour preyfrom the land,and nolongerwill the voiceof your messengersbe heard."
"Orhowcananyoneenterthe strongman'shouseand carry offhis property,unlesshe firstbindsthe strong[man]? And thenhe will plunderhis house.
"But no onecanenterthe strongman'shouseand plunderhis propertyunlesshe firstbindsthe strong man,and thenhe will plunderhis house.
