Jehu approached Jezreel. When Jezebel heard the news, she put on some eye liner, ¹  fixed up her hair, and leaned out the window.

Then those in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers ¹  has failed! The debris is so great that we are unable to rebuild the wall.”

For forty years you sustained them. Even in the desert they never lacked anything. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

“I ¹  am weary ²  of my life; I will complain without restraint; ³  I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

How much less, then, when you say that you do not perceive him, that the case is before him and you are waiting for him! ¹ 

They say, ¹  “We speak persuasively; ²  we know how to flatter and boast. ³  Who is our master?” ⁴ 

¹ Why do you insist on being battered? Why do you continue to rebel? ²  Your head has a massive wound, ³  your whole body is weak. ⁴ 

I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying.

In the past he said to them, ¹  “This is where security can be found. Provide security for the one who is exhausted! This is where rest can be found.” ²  But they refused to listen.

Turn aside from the way, stray off the path. ¹  Remove from our presence the Holy One of Israel.” ² 

He will not grow dim or be crushed ¹  before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands ²  will wait in anticipation for his decrees.” ³ 

For I will not be hostile ¹  forever or perpetually angry, for then man’s spirit would grow faint before me, ²  the life-giving breath I created.

The Lord told me, ¹  “Tell the king and the queen mother, ‘Surrender your thrones, ²  for your glorious crowns will be removed ³  from your heads. ⁴ 

‘You have said, “I feel so hopeless! ¹  For the Lord has added sorrow to my suffering. ²  I am worn out from groaning. I can’t find any rest.”’”

It has tried my patience; ¹  yet its thick rot is not removed ²  from it. Subject its rot to the fire! ³ 

I then said, “I will not shepherd you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be eradicated, let it be eradicated. As for those who survive, let them eat each other’s flesh!”

When ¹  he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, ²  like sheep without a shepherd.

‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; ¹  we wailed in mourning, ²  yet you did not weep.’

When ¹  they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then ²  they led him away to crucify him.

When he came again he found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. ¹  And they did not know what to tell him.