28 The sentence actually begins with the word “because.” In the Hebrew text vv. 12–13 are one long sentence.
29 Heb “and you trust in oppression and cunning.”
30 Heb “and you lean on it”; “and depend on it.”
31 The verse reads literally, “So this sin will become for you like a breach ready to fall, bulging on a high wall, the breaking of which comes suddenly, in a flash.” Their sin produces guilt and will result in judgment. Like a wall that collapses their fall will be swift and sudden.
32 Heb “Its shattering is like the shattering of a jug of [i.e., “made by”] potters, [so] shattered one cannot save [any of it].”
33 The words “large enough” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
34 Heb “to remove fire from the place of kindling.”
35 On the meaning of גֶבֶא (geveh, “cistern”) see

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel,

“Because you despise this word

and trust in oppression and perverseness

and rely on them,

therefore this iniquity shall be to you

like a breach in a high wall, bulging out and about to collapse,

whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant;

and its breaking is like that of a potter’s vessel

that is smashed so ruthlessly

that among its fragments not a shard is found

with which to take fire from the hearth,

or to dip up water out of the cistern.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says:

“Because you have rejected this message,

relied on oppression

and depended on deceit,

this sin will become for you

like a high wall, cracked and bulging,

that collapses suddenly, in an instant.

It will break in pieces like pottery,

shattered so mercilessly

that among its pieces not a fragment will be found

for taking coals from a hearth

or scooping water out of a cistern.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Therefore the Holy One of Israel says:

“Because you have rejected this message

and have trusted in oppression and deceit,

and have depended on them,

this iniquity of yours will be

like a crumbling gap,

a bulge in a high wall

whose collapse will come in an instant—suddenly!

Its collapse will be like the shattering

of a potter’s jar, 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.”

NLTNew Living Translation

This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel:

“Because you despise what I tell you

and trust instead in oppression and lies,

calamity will come upon you suddenly—

like a bulging wall that bursts and falls.

In an instant it will collapse

and come crashing down.

You will be smashed like a piece of pottery—

shattered so completely that

there won’t be a piece big enough

to carry coals from a fireplace

or a little water from the well.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Therefore the holy one of Israel says this:

“Because you are rejecting this word

and you trust in oppression and cunning

and you rely on it,

therefore this iniquity shall come for you like a breach about to fall,

bulging out on a high wall that breaks suddenly, in an instant.

And he breaks it like a vessel of a potter breaks,

that is crushed; he has no compassion,

and no potsherd is found among its fragments to take fire from the hearth,

or to skim water from the cistern.”

KJV 1900King James Version

Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel,

Because ye despise this word,

And trust in oppression and perverseness,

And stay thereon:

Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall,

Swelling out in a high wall,

Whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel

That is broken in pieces; he shall not spare:

So that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd

To take fire from the hearth,

Or to take water withal out of the pit.

Public Domain