The Lord’s mercy to Israel

7 Has (Israel) been smitten so sorely

as those who smote her have been smitten?

Or has she been slain without remnant,

as those who slew her have been slain?

8 By dismissal and exile alone

does (the Lord) contend with her:

he has swept her away by his blast

that blows fierce in the day of sirocco.

9 On this condition therefore

will Israel’s guilt be forgiven –

when she puts away her sin

the issue thereof will be this –

that all the stones of her altars

she will grind, like chalk, to powder;

that sacred poles and sun-pillars

she never will raise again.

10 For the fortified city is desolate,

a homestead forsaken, forlorn,

like a pasture: there browses the calf –

there he lies, consuming the branches;

11 and there, when the dry boughs are broken,

come women who use them for fuel.

For the people would not reflect;

and so from their maker they win no pity,

no favour from their creator.