⁶ For I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of the earth, says the Lord. I will cause them, every one, to fall each into the hand of a neighbor and each into the hand of the king, and they shall devastate the earth, and I will deliver no one from their hand.”^(A)

⁷ So on behalf of the sheep merchants,^[a] I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. I took two staffs; one I named Favor, the other I named Unity, and I tended the sheep.^{(B) 8} In one month I disposed of the three shepherds, for I had become impatient with them, and they also detested me.^(C)