32 For the translation of this particle, which is normally translated “therefore” and often introduces an announcement of judgment, compare the usage at Jer 16:14 and the translator’s note there. Here as there it introduces a contrast, a rather unexpected announcement of salvation. For a similar use see also Hos 2:14 (2:16 ). Recognition of this usage makes the proposed emendation of of לָכֵן כָּל (lakhen kol) to וְכָל (vékhol) unnecessary.
33 With the exception of the second line there is a definite attempt at wordplay in each line to underline the principle of lex talionis on a national and political level. This principle has already been appealed to in the case of the end of Babylonian sovereignty in 25:14; 27:7.

In other versions

Therefore all who devour you shall be devoured,

and all your foes, every one of them, shall go into captivity;

those who plunder you shall be plundered,

and all who prey on you I will make a prey.

“ ‘But all who devour you will be devoured;

all your enemies will go into exile.

Those who plunder you will be plundered;

all who make spoil of you I will despoil.

Nevertheless, all who devoured you will be devoured,

and all your adversaries—all of them—

will go off into exile.

Those who plunder you will be plundered,

and all who raid you will be raided.

“But all who devour you will be devoured,

and all your enemies will be sent into exile.

All who plunder you will be plundered,

and all who attack you will be attacked.

Therefore all those who devour you will be devoured,

and all your foes, all of them will go into captivity,

and those who plunder you will be as plunder,

and all those who plunder you I will make as plunder.

Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured;

And all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity;

And they that spoil thee shall be a spoil,

And all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

Public Domain