Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. And some slapped him,

for he stretches out his hand against God, ¹  and vaunts himself ²  against the Almighty,

Then ¹  some began to spit on him, and to blindfold him, and to strike him with their fists, saying, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat ²  him.

Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended? ¹  Who has gathered up the winds in his fists? ²  Who has bound up the waters in his cloak? ³  Who has established all the ends of the earth? ⁴  What is his name, and what is his son’s name? ⁵  – if you know!

While they were screaming ¹  and throwing off their cloaks ²  and tossing dust ³  in the air,

¹ I say to the proud, “Do not be proud,” and to the wicked, “Do not be so confident of victory! ² 

Do not be so certain you have won! ¹  Do not speak with your head held so high! ² 

God says, ¹  “I will bring down all the power of the wicked; the godly will be victorious.” ² 

Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil ¹  and chasing the wind.

I too will clap my hands together, I will exhaust my rage; I the Lord have spoken.”

They ¹  came up to him again and again ²  and said, “Hail, king of the Jews!” ³  And they struck him repeatedly ⁴  in the face.

When they heard these things, they became furious ¹  and ground their teeth ²  at him.

So I want the men ¹  to pray ²  in every place, lifting up holy hands ³  without anger or dispute.

“‘See, I strike my hands together ¹  at the dishonest profit you have made, and at the bloodshed ²  they have done among you.

They will pass through the land ¹  destitute and starving. Their hunger will make them angry, ²  and they will curse their king and their God ³  as they look upward.

Look, your fasting is accompanied by ¹  arguments, brawls, and fistfights. ²  Do not fast as you do today, trying to make your voice heard in heaven.

I, the Lord, say: ¹  ‘You people have deserted me! You keep turning your back on me.’ ²  So I have unleashed my power against you ³  and have begun to destroy you. ⁴  I have grown tired of feeling sorry for you!” ⁵ 

“‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Clap your hands, stamp your feet, and say, “Ah!” because of all the evil, abominable practices of the house of Israel, for they will fall by the sword, famine, and pestilence. ¹ 

This is how the once-proud city will end up ¹  – the city that was so secure. ²  She thought to herself, ³  “I am unique! No one can compare to me!” ⁴  What a heap of ruins she has become, a place where wild animals live! Everyone who passes by her taunts her ⁵  and shakes his fist. ⁶