9. All the people of Ephraimand the people who live in Samaria will know it.With arrogant and conceited hearts they will say,
10. “Bricks have fallen,but we will rebuild with hand-cut stones.Fig trees have been cut down,but we will replace them with cedars.”
11. The Lord will set Rezin’s oppressors against Israeland will stir up its enemies—
12. the Arameans from the east and the Philistines from the west.They will devour Israel with open mouths.Even after all this, his anger will not disappear,and he is still ready to use his power.
13. But the people have not returned to the one who struck them,nor have they sought the Lord of Armies.
14. So in one day the Lord will cut off from Israelboth head and tail,both palm branches and cattails.
15. Respected and honored leaders are the head.Prophets who teach lies are the tail.
16. Those who guide these people lead them astray.Those who are guided by them will be destroyed.
17. That is why the Lord isn’t happy with their young men,nor will he show compassion for their orphans and widows.Every one of them is a godless evildoer,and every mouth speaks foolishness.Even after all this, his anger will not disappear,and he is still ready to use his power.
18. Surely wickedness burns like fire.It burns up briars and thorns.It sets the underbrush in the forest on fire,and it whirls upward in clouds of smoke.