But I will not remove ¹  my loyal love from him, nor be unfaithful to my promise. ² 

I will not break ¹  my covenant or go back on what I promised. ² 

They spew out threats ¹  and speak defiantly; all the evildoers boast. ² 

at the head of the noisy ¹  streets she calls, in the entrances of the gates in the city ²  she utters her words: ³ 

if ¹  you have been ensnared ²  by the words you have uttered, ³  and have been caught by the words you have spoken,

The faithful witness ¹  tells what is right, ²  but a false witness ³  speaks ⁴  deceit.

The one who curses ¹  his father and his mother, his lamp ²  will be extinguished in the blackest ³  darkness.

“Futile! Futile!” laments ¹  the Teacher, ²  “Absolutely futile! ³  Everything ⁴  is futile!” ⁵ 

Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. ¹ 

So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected ¹  Israel to humiliating abuse.”

But with an overwhelming flood ¹  he will make a complete end of Nineveh; ²  he will drive ³  his enemies into darkness.

For I will give you the words ¹  along with the wisdom ²  that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

For you were made rich ¹  in every way in him, in all your speech and in every kind of knowledge ²  –

These men ¹  are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, for whom the utter depths of darkness ²  have been reserved.

If that happens even the bravest soldier – one who is lion-hearted – will virtually melt away. For all Israel knows that your father is a warrior and that those who are with him are brave.

The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the men from Mount Seir ¹  and annihilated them. ²  When they had finished off the men ³  of Seir, they attacked and destroyed one another. ⁴ 

For a fool speaks disgraceful things; ¹  his mind plans out sinful deeds. ²  He commits godless deeds ³  and says misleading things about the Lord; he gives the hungry nothing to satisfy their appetite ⁴  and gives the thirsty nothing to drink. ⁵ 

For the sound of wailing is soon to be heard in Zion. They will wail, ¹  ‘We are utterly ruined! ²  We are completely disgraced! For our houses have been torn down and we must leave our land.’” ³ 

Do not give her archers time to string their bows or to put on their coats of armor. ¹  Do not spare any of her young men. Completely destroy ²  her whole army.

Old men, young men, young women, little children, and women – wipe them out! But do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary!” So they began with the elders who were at the front of the temple.