2
The mother who bore them says to them, `Go, my children, because I am a widow and forsaken.
3
I brought you up with gladness; but with mourning and sorrow I have lost you, because you have sinned before the Lord God and have done what is evil in my sight.
4
But now what can I do for you? For I am a widow and forsaken. Go, my children, and ask for mercy from the Lord.'
5
I call upon you, father, as a witness in addition to the mother of the children, because they would not keep my covenant,
6
that you may bring confusion upon them and bring their mother to ruin, so that they may have no offspring.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.