Yahweh has just announced his punishment for Israel.

## Woe to me, my mother ##

Jeremiah pretends to speak to his mother as a way to emphasize how sad he is. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]])

## controversy and argument  ##

The words "controversy" and "argument" mean basically the same thing. They are used together for emphasis. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

## lent  ##

to give a loan to someone

## Will I not rescue you for good?  ##

The implicit answer to this question is "yes". AT: "I will certainly rescue you for good!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

## your enemies ##

Those are the enemies of Jeremiah who disagreed with his prophecies.

## calamity and distress ##

The words "calamity" and "distress" should be understood as basically similar. The idea is repeated to emphasize how bad things will get. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

## Can one smash iron? ##

The implied answer is "no". Also, the iron represents the firmness of God's judgment. AT: "My judgment cannot be broken, just like iron cannot be smashed" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## Especially iron from the north that is mixed with bronze? ##

This second question makes the first even stronger, and uses extra strong iron in the metaphor. AT: "Even more, my judgment is like super strong iron" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])