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Why[a] would you yet be struck,
    that you continue to rebel?
The whole head is sick,
    the whole heart faint.
From the sole of the foot to the head
    there is no sound spot in it;
Just bruise and welt and oozing wound,
    not drained, or bandaged,
    or eased with salve.
Your country is waste,
    your cities burnt with fire;
Your land—before your eyes
    strangers devour it,
    a waste, like the devastation of Sodom.[b](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 1:5–6 The Hebrew expression translated “Why?” may also be translated “Where?” The ambiguity is probably intentional: “Why, O Israel, would you still be beaten, and where on your bruised body do you want the next blow?” The bruised body is a metaphor for the historical disaster that has overtaken Israel (see v. 7) because of its sins.
  2. 1:7 Sodom: Sodom and Gomorrah (see vv. 9–10; cf. Gn 19) were proverbial as wicked cities completely overthrown and destroyed by God. Judah, more fortunate, survives at least as a remnant. The devastation of the land and the isolation of Jerusalem suggest the time of Sennacherib’s invasion of 701.

Why should you be beaten(A) anymore?
    Why do you persist(B) in rebellion?(C)
Your whole head is injured,
    your whole heart(D) afflicted.(E)
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head(F)
    there is no soundness(G)
only wounds and welts(H)
    and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged(I)
    or soothed with olive oil.(J)

Your country is desolate,(K)
    your cities burned with fire;(L)
your fields are being stripped by foreigners(M)
    right before you,
    laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.(N)

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