13 this iniquityv of yours will be

like a crumbling gap,

a bulge in a high wall

whose collapse will come in an instant—suddenly!

14 Its collapse will be like the shattering

of a potter’s jar,w crushed to pieces,

so that not even a fragment of pottery

will be found among its shattered remains—

no fragment large enough to take fire from a hearth

or scoop water from a cistern.”

15 For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said:

“You will be delivered by returning and resting;

your strength will lie in quiet confidence.

But you are not willing.”

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.