Ifa man does not repent,He will sharpenHis sword;He has bentHis bowand madeit ready.
"Farbe it from You to dosucha thing,to slaythe righteouswith the wicked,so that the righteousand the wickedare [treated] alike. Farbe it from You! Shall not the Judgeof allthe earthdealjustly?"
The LORDis righteous;He has cutin twothe cordsof the wicked.
Restoreus, O Godof our salvation,And cause Your indignationtowardus to cease.
You have rebukedthe nations,You have destroyedthe wicked;You have blottedout their nameforeverand ever.
In that daythe LORDwill punishLeviathanthe fleeingserpent,With His fierceand greatand mightysword,EvenLeviathanthe twistedserpent;And He will killthe dragonwho[lives] in the sea.
For My swordis satiatedin heaven,Beholdit shall descendfor judgmentupon EdomAnd upon the peoplewhom I have devotedto destruction.
"ThereforeI will judgeyou, O houseof Israel,eachaccording to his conduct,"declaresthe LordGOD."Repentand turnawayfrom allyour transgressions,so that iniquitymay not becomea stumblingblockto you.
"And it will be to them like a false divinationin their eyes;they have [sworn] solemnoaths.But he bringsiniquityto remembrance,that they may be seized.
"Sayto them, 'As I live!'declaresthe LordGOD,'I takenopleasurein the deathof the wicked,but ratherthat the wickedturnfrom his wayand live.Turnback,turnbackfrom your evilways!Whythen will you die,O houseof Israel?'
"The axeis alreadylaidat the rootof the trees;thereforeeverytreethat does not beargoodfruitis cut downand throwninto the fire.
"Thereforerepentand return,sothat your sinsmay be wiped away,in orderthat timesof refreshingmay comefrom the presenceof the Lord;
IfI sharpenMy flashingsword,And My handtakesholdon justice,I will rendervengeanceon My adversaries,And I will repaythose who hateMe.
