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as I live
"as surely as I am alive." Yahweh uses this expression to show that what he says next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: "I solemnly swear" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)
this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: "this is what Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, have declared" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person)
like Sodom ... like Gomorrah
These two cities were so wicked that God completely destroyed them with fire from heaven. These similes therefore refer to complete destruction. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "completely destroyed like Sodom ... like Gomorrah" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)
a place of nettles and a salt pit
"a place with thorns and a salt pit." This describes a barren, useless land.
the remnant of my people ... the remainder of my nation
These two phrases mean the same thing and refer to the Israelites that survived Yahweh's punishment. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism)