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The Death of Jerusalem

27-28 The Lord said:

I have made my decision,
    and I won't change my mind.
This land will be destroyed,
    although not completely.
The sky will turn dark,
    and the earth will mourn.

29 Enemy cavalry and archers
    shout their battle cry.
People run for their lives
and try to find safety
    among trees and rocks.
Every town is empty.

30 Jerusalem, your land
    has been wiped out.
But you act like a prostitute
and try to win back your lovers,
    who now hate you.
You can put on a red dress,
gold jewelry, and eye shadow,
    but it's no use—
your lovers are out to kill you!

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28 Therefore the earth will mourn(A)
    and the heavens above grow dark,(B)
because I have spoken and will not relent,(C)
    I have decided and will not turn back.(D)

29 At the sound of horsemen and archers(E)
    every town takes to flight.(F)
Some go into the thickets;
    some climb up among the rocks.(G)
All the towns are deserted;(H)
    no one lives in them.

30 What are you doing,(I) you devastated one?
    Why dress yourself in scarlet
    and put on jewels(J) of gold?
Why highlight your eyes with makeup?(K)
    You adorn yourself in vain.
Your lovers(L) despise you;
    they want to kill you.(M)

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