5 They are like a scarecrow of a cucumber field, and cannot speak.+ Without fail they are carried, for they cannot take any steps.+ Do not be afraid because of them, for they can do nothing calamitous and, what is more, the doing of any good is not with them.”+

18 And from the time that we ceased to make sacrificial smoke to the ‘queen of the heavens’+ and pour out drink offerings to her we have lacked everything, and by the sword and by the famine we have come to our finish.+