6. Therefore a lion from the forest will slay them, A wolf of the deserts will destroy them, A leopard is watching their cities. Everyone who goes out of them will be torn in pieces, Because their transgressions are many, Their apostasies are numerous.
7. "Why should I pardon you? Your sons have forsaken Me And sworn by those who are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, They committed adultery And trooped to the harlot's house.
8. "They were well-fed lusty horses, Each one neighing after his neighbor's wife.
9. "Shall I not punish these people," declares the Lord, "And on a nation such as this Shall I not avenge Myself?
10. "Go up through her vine rows and destroy, But do not execute a complete destruction; Strip away her branches, For they are not the Lord's.
11. "For the house of Israel and the house of Judah Have dealt very treacherously with Me," declares the Lord.
12. They have lied about the Lord And said, "Not He; Misfortune will not come on us, And we will not see sword or famine.
13. "The prophets are as wind, And the word is not in them. Thus it will be done to them!"
14. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, "Because you have spoken this word, Behold, I am making My words in your mouth fire And this people wood, and it will consume them.
15. "Behold, I am bringing a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel," declares the Lord. "It is an enduring nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say.
16. "Their quiver is like an open grave, All of them are mighty men.