4. Then I thought:They are just the poor;they have played the fool.For they don’t understand the way of the Lord, the justice of their God.
5. I will go to the powerfuland speak to them.Surely they know the way of the Lord,the justice of their God. However, these also had broken the yokeand torn off the chains.
6. Therefore, a lion from the forest will strike them down. A wolf from an arid plain will ravage them.A leopard keeps watch over their cities.Anyone who leaves them will be torn to piecesbecause their rebellious acts are many, their unfaithful deeds numerous.
7. Why should I forgive you?Your children have abandoned Meand sworn by those who are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery; they gashed themselves at the prostitute’s house.
8. They are well-fed, eager stallions, each neighing after someone else’s wife.
9. Should I not punish them for these things? This is the Lord’s declaration.Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?
10. Go up among her vineyard terraces and destroy them, but do not finish them off. Prune away her shoots,for they do not belong to the Lord.
11. They, the house of Israel and the house of Judah,have dealt very treacherously with Me. This is the Lord’s declaration.
12. They have contradicted the Lordand insisted, “It won’t happen. Harm won’t come to us;we won’t see sword or famine.”
13. The prophets become only wind,for the Lord’s word is not in them.This will in fact happen to them.
14. Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Hosts says:Because you have spoken this word,I am going to make My wordsbecome fire in your mouth. These people are the wood,and the fire will consume them.
15. I am about to bring a nationfrom far away against you, house of Israel.This is the Lord’s declaration.It is an established nation,an ancient nation,a nation whose language you do not knowand whose speech you do not understand.
16. Their quiver is like an open grave; they are all mighty warriors.
17. They will consume your harvest and your food. They will consume your sons and your daughters.They will consume your flocks and your herds.They will consume your vines and your fig trees.They will destroy with the swordyour fortified cities in which you trust.