"But if you disobey the LORD your God and do not faithfully keep all his commands and laws that I am giving you today, all these evil things will happen to you:

"If even after all of this you still do not obey me, I will increase your punishment seven times.

then I will turn on you and punish you seven times harder than before.

Listen to me, everyone! There are terrors, pits, and traps waiting for you.

Anyone who tries to escape from the terror will fall in a pit, and anyone who escapes from the pit will be caught in a trap. Torrents of rain will pour from the sky, and earth's foundations will shake.

LORD, you have made our nation grow, enlarging its territory on every side; and this has brought you honor.

When they ask you where they should go, tell them that I have said: Some are doomed to die by disease--- that's where they will go! Others are doomed to die in war--- that's where they will go! Some are doomed to die of starvation--- that's where they will go! Others are doomed to be taken away as prisoners--- that's where they will go!

I, the LORD, have decided that four terrible things will happen to them: they will be killed in war; their bodies will be dragged off by dogs; birds will eat them, and wild animals will devour what is left over.

This is what the Sovereign LORD is saying: "I will send my four worst punishments on Jerusalem---war, famine, wild animals, and disease---to destroy people and animals alike.

Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. There will be famines and earthquakes everywhere.

All these things are like the first pains of childbirth.

If they do not change their ways, God will sharpen his sword. He bends his bow and makes it ready;

he takes up his deadly weapons and aims his burning arrows.

He shot his arrows deep into my body.

I will cut off your supply of food and let you starve. You will feel the pains of hunger like sharp arrows sent to destroy you.