¹⁶ Gather the people,
    consecrate^(A) the assembly;
bring together the elders,^(B)
    gather the children,
    those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom^(C) leave his room
    and the bride her chamber.

¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister^(A) before the Lord,
    weep^(B) between the portico and the altar.^(C)
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
    Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,^(D)
    a byword^(E) among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?^(F)’”