"For thussaysthe LORDGodof Israelconcerningthe housesof thiscity,and concerningthe housesof the kingsof Judahwhich are brokendown[to make a defense] againstthe siegerampsand againstthe sword,
Then you countedthe housesof JerusalemAnd toredownhousesto fortifythe wall.
For the landof my people[in which] thorns[and] briarsshall comeup; Yea,for allthe joyfulhouses[and for] the jubilantcity.
Becausethe palacehas been abandoned,the populatedcityforsaken.Hilland watch-towerhave becomecavesforever,A delightfor wilddonkeys,a pasturefor flocks;
Behold,the siegerampshave reachedthe cityto takeit; and the cityis giveninto the handof the Chaldeanswho fightagainstit, becauseof the sword,the famineand the pestilence;and whatYou have spokenhas cometo pass;and behold,You see[it].
For thussaysthe LORDof hosts,"Cutdownher treesAnd castup a siegeagainstJerusalem.Thisis the cityto be punished,In whose midstthere is onlyoppression.
The Lordhas rejectedHis altar,He has abandonedHis sanctuary;He has deliveredinto the handof the enemyThe wallsof her palaces.They have madea noisein the houseof the LORDAs in the dayof an appointedfeast.
"Into his righthandcamethe divination,'Jerusalem,'to setbatteringrams,to openthe mouthfor slaughter,to liftup the voicewith a battlecry,to setbatteringramsagainstthe gates,to castup ramps,to builda siegewall.
"He will slayyour daughterson the mainlandwith the sword;and he will makesiegewallsagainstyou, castup a rampagainstyou and raiseup a largeshieldagainstyou.
"Then laysiegeagainstit, builda siegewall,raiseup a ramp,pitchcampsand placebatteringramsagainstit allaround.
"They mockat kingsAnd rulersare a laughingmatter to them. They laughat everyfortressAnd heapup rubbleto captureit.
"Onlythe treeswhichyou knoware not fruittreesyou shall destroyand cutdown,that you may constructsiegeworksagainstthe citythat is makingwarwith you untilit falls.
