16 You say, “No!
We will escape on horses”—
therefore you will escape!—
and, “We will ride on fast horses”—
but those who pursue you will be faster.(A)
17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one,(B)
at the threat of five you will flee,
until you remain
like a solitary pole on a mountaintop
or a banner on a hill.

The Lord’s Mercy to Israel

18 Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy,
and is rising up to show you compassion,(C)
for the Lord is a just God.
All who wait patiently for him are happy.

Read full chapter

16 You said, ‘No, we will flee(A) on horses.’(B)
    Therefore you will flee!
You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’
    Therefore your pursuers will be swift!
17 A thousand will flee
    at the threat of one;
at the threat of five(C)
    you will all flee(D) away,
till you are left(E)
    like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
    like a banner(F) on a hill.”

18 Yet the Lord longs(G) to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.(H)
For the Lord is a God of justice.(I)
    Blessed are all who wait for him!(J)

Read full chapter