my words and my statutes] The accomplishment of their prophesies after their death, hath shewen sufficiently that their words died not with them: and your fathers in their calamities acknowledged as much, and began to turn to God: and it is fitting for you to follow them therein, and to accomplish it. take hold] Or, overtake. That is, overtake and catch them, (as huntsmen the prey, or one enemy another in flight) though they sought means to make their escape. they returned] It may be, repented, or were better advised, and came to the right knowledge of their estate; as Malachi 3:18. Like as, &c.] Lamentations 1:18.