14
The 1LORD of hosts has sworn by Himself: "Surely* I will fill you with a population like 2locusts, And they will cry out with shouts of victory over you."
15
It is 3He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He 4stretched out the heavens.
16
When He utters His 5voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the 6clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makeslightning for the rain And bringsforth the 7wind from His storehouses.
17
8Allmankind is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Everygoldsmith is put to shame by his idols, For his moltenimages are 9deceitful, And there is nobreath in them.
18
They are 10worthless, a work of mockery; In the time of their punishment they will perish.
19
The 11portion of Jacob is not like these; For the Maker of all is He, And of the tribe of His inheritance; The 12LORD of hosts is His name.
20
He says, "You are My 13war-club, My weapon of war; And with you I 14shatternations, And with you I destroykingdoms.
21
"With you I 15shatter the horse and his rider, And with you I shatter the 16chariot and its rider,
22
And with you I shatter17man and woman, And with you I shatteroldman and 18youth, And with you I shatteryoungman and virgin,
23
And with you I shatter the shepherd and his flock, And with you I shatter the farmer and his team, And with you I shattergovernors and prefects.
24
"But I will repayBabylon and all the inhabitants of 19Chaldea for 20all their evil that they have done in Zion before your eyes," declares the LORD.