Threat of Captivity

15 Hear and pay attention,
    do not be arrogant,
    for the Lord has spoken.(A)
16 Give glory(B) to the Lord your God
    before he brings the darkness,
before your feet stumble(C)
    on the darkening hills.
You hope for light,
    but he will turn it to utter darkness
    and change it to deep gloom.(D)
17 If you do not listen,(E)
    I will weep in secret
    because of your pride;
my eyes will weep bitterly,
    overflowing with tears,(F)
    because the Lord’s flock(G) will be taken captive.(H)

18 Say to the king(I) and to the queen mother,(J)
    “Come down from your thrones,
for your glorious crowns(K)
    will fall from your heads.”
19 The cities in the Negev will be shut up,
    and there will be no one to open them.
All Judah(L) will be carried into exile,
    carried completely away.

20 Look up and see
    those who are coming from the north.(M)
Where is the flock(N) that was entrusted to you,
    the sheep of which you boasted?
21 What will you say when the Lord sets over you
    those you cultivated as your special allies?(O)
Will not pain grip you
    like that of a woman in labor?(P)

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15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken.

16 Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive.

18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

19 The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.

20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?

21 What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?

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