9. Then everyone in Israel, even the leaders in Samaria,will know that God punished them.Those people, who are proud and who brag now, say this:
10. “These bricks have fallen,but we will build again with cut stones.These small trees have been chopped down.But we will put great cedars there.”
11. But the Lord will make the enemies of Rezin strong against them.He will stir up their enemies against them.
12. The Arameans come from the eastand the Philistines from the west.They will eat up Israel with their armies.But the Lord is still angry.His hand is still raised to punish the people.
13. But the people do not return to the one who struck them.They do not follow the Lord of heaven’s armies.
14. So the Lord will cut off Israel’s head and tail.He will take away both the branch and stalk in one day.
15. The elders and important men are the head.The prophets who speak lies are the tail.
16. Those who lead the people lead them in the wrong direction.And those who follow them will be destroyed.
17. So the Lord is not happy with the young men.He will not show mercy to the widows and orphans.All the people are separated from God and are very evil.They all speak lies.But the Lord is still angry.His hand is still raised to strike down the people.