The sword will fall on their cities, And will consume their gate bars, And will put an end to their plans.
"The passage at its outset has similarities to the form of the legal complaint made by parents against a rebellious child (Deuteronomy 21:18-21; cf. Isaiah 1:2-20 where hope is held out that the child [Israel] may yet repent and receive compassion rather than death)." [Note: Stuart, p. 175] 