English
If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone goes into captivity, he goes into captivity. If anyone is killed with the sword, he must be killed with the sword. This is the endurance and the faith of the holy ones.
Interpretation
Similar to the ‘interruptions’ in chapters 10, 12, and 16 regarding the imminence of the prophecy’s fulfillment, there are a few brief exhortations. These interruptions and exhortations distinctly resemble the vocabulary and style of the epistolary framework.
Parallels
Jeremiah
15.2 Thus says Yhwh: Those destined for pestilence, to pestilence, and those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine, and those destined for captivity, to captivity.
43.11 He shall come and ravage the land of Egypt, giving those who are destined for pestilence, to pestilence, and those who are destined for captivity, to captivity, and those who are destined for the sword, to the sword.