² Without compassion^(A) the Lord has swallowed up
all the dwellings of Jacob.
In his wrath he has demolished
the fortified cities^(B) of Daughter Judah.
He brought them to the ground
and defiled the kingdom and its leaders.^(C)

¹⁷ The Lord has done what he planned;
he has accomplished his decree,
which he ordained in days of old.
He has demolished without compassion,^(A)
letting the enemy gloat over you
and exalting the horn of your adversaries.

²¹ Both young and old
are lying on the ground in the streets.
My young women and young men
have fallen by the sword.
You have killed them in the day of your anger,
slaughtering without compassion.^(A)

⁴ I will not look on you with pity or spare you,^(A)
but I will punish you for your ways^(B)
and for your detestable practices within you.
Then you will know that I am the Lord.”^(C)

⁹ I will not look on you with pity or spare you.
I will punish you for your ways
and for your detestable practices within you.
Then you will know
that it is I, the Lord, who strikes.