11 To you this entire prophetic revelation[a] is like words in a sealed scroll. When they hand it to one who can read[b] and say, “Read this,” he responds, “I can’t, because it is sealed.” 12 Or when they hand the scroll to one who can’t read[c] and say, “Read this,” he says, “I can’t read.”[d]

60 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor[a] of the Lord shines on you! 2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers[b] the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor[c] appears over you.

29 Ariel is as good as dead[a]— Ariel, the town David besieged![b] Keep observing your annual rituals; celebrate your festivals on schedule.[c] 2 I will threaten Ariel, and she will mourn intensely and become like an altar hearth[d] before me.

14 Therefore, listen to the Lord’s message, you who mock, you rulers of these people who reside in Jerusalem. 15 For you say, “We have made a treaty with death, with Sheol[a] we have made an agreement.[b] When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by[c] it will not reach us.

28 The splendid crown of Ephraim’s drunkards is doomed,[a] the withering flower, its beautiful splendor,[b] situated[c] at the head of a rich valley, the crown of those overcome with wine.[d] 2 Look, the Lord[e] sends a strong, powerful one.[f] With the force of a hailstorm or a destructive windstorm,[g] with the might of a driving, torrential rainstorm,[h] he will knock that crown[i] to the ground with his hand.[j]

27 At that time[a] the Lord will punish with his destructive,[b] great, and powerful sword Leviathan the fast-moving[c] serpent, Leviathan the squirming serpent; he will kill the sea monster.[d] 2 When that time comes,[e] sing about a delightful vineyard![f]

25 O Lord, you are my God![a] I will exalt you in praise, I will extol your fame.[b] For you have done extraordinary things, and executed plans made long ago exactly as you decreed.[c] 2 Indeed,[d] you have made the city[e] into a heap of rubble, the fortified town into a heap of ruins; the fortress of foreigners[f] is no longer a city, it will never be rebuilt.

Look, the Lord is ready to devastate the earth and leave it in ruins; he will mar its surface and scatter its inhabitants. 2 Everyone will suffer—the priest as well as the people,[a] the master as well as the servant,[b] the elegant lady as well as the female attendant,[c] the seller as well as the buyer,[d] the borrower as well as the lender,[e] the creditor as well as the debtor.[f]