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19 The cities in the Southern Desert
are surrounded;
    no one can get in or out.
Everyone in Judah
    will be taken away.
20 Jerusalem, you were so proud
of ruling the people of Judah.
    But where are they now?

Look north, and you will see
    your enemies approaching.
21 You once trusted them to help,
but now I'll let them rule you.[a]
    What do you say about that?
You will be in pain
    like a woman giving birth.

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Footnotes

  1. 13.21 You once … rule you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

19 The cities in the Negev will be shut up,
    and there will be no one to open them.
All Judah(A) will be carried into exile,
    carried completely away.

20 Look up and see
    those who are coming from the north.(B)
Where is the flock(C) 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?(D)
Will not pain grip you
    like that of a woman in labor?(E)

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