"O God, our God, how great you are! How terrifying, how powerful! You faithfully keep your covenant promises. From the time when Assyrian kings oppressed us, even till now, how much we have suffered! Our kings, our leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors, and all our people have suffered. Remember how much we have suffered!

Jerusalem, your immoral actions have defiled you. Although I tried to purify you, you remained defiled. You will not be pure again until you have felt the full force of my anger.

I, the LORD, have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not ignore your sins or show pity or be merciful. You will be punished for what you have done." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.

Did all your experience mean nothing at all? Surely it meant something!

He does not punish us as we deserve or repay us according to our sins and wrongs.

The LORD's unfailing love and mercy still continue,

Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sin?

Let us examine our ways and turn back to the LORD.

O LORD, I have heard of what you have done, and I am filled with awe. Now do again in our times the great deeds you used to do. Be merciful, even when you are angry.

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and because of his great love he relented.

He made all their oppressors feel sorry for them.