Famine, Sword, and Dispersion
Because Jerusalem has defiled the sanctuary with detestable things, the LORD swears by His own life that He will withdraw pity and spare no one. A third of the people will die by pestilence and famine, a third by the sword, and a third will be scattered with the sword following behind them. When this has happened, His wrath will be spent and His fierce jealousy will be known.
T11herefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and abominations, I Myself will withdraw My favor; I will not look upon you with pity, nor will I spare you. 12A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them. 13And when My anger is spent and I have vented My wrath against them, I will be appeased. And when I have spent My wrath on them, they will know that I, the LORD, in My zeal have spoken.
Jerusalem will be laid waste and turned into a reproach, a taunt, a warning, and a horror among the nations who witness her ruin. The LORD will send destructive famine, wild beasts, plague, bloodshed, and the sword against her until the city is emptied and broken. The chapter ends with the certainty that the LORD Himself has spoken these judgments.
14I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by. 15So you will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror to the nations around you, when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and raging fury. I, the LORD, have spoken. 16When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food. 17I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.”