6. So a lion from the forest will attack them. A wolf from the desert will kill them. A leopard is hiding near their cities, to tear to pieces anyone who comes out. That’s because the people have sinned again and again. Many times they have wandered away from God.
7. God says, “People of Judah, why should I forgive you? Your children have abandoned me. They made promises to idols that are not really gods! I gave your children everything they needed, but they were still unfaithful to me! They spent their time with prostitutes.
8. They are like horses that have had plenty to eat and are ready to mate. They are like a horse that is calling its neighbor’s wife.
9. Should I punish the people of Judah for doing these things?” This message is from the Lord. “You know I should punish a nation such as this. I should give it the punishment it deserves.
10. “Go along the rows of Judah’s grapevines. Cut down the vines. (But don’t completely destroy them.) Cut off all their branches, because they don’t belong to the Lord.
11. The family of Israel and the family of Judah have been unfaithful to me in every way.” This message is from the Lord.