12. The Syrians from the east and the Philistines from the westwill bare their fangs and devour Israel.But even then the lord’s anger will not be satisfied.His fist is still poised to strike.
13. For after all this punishment, the people will still not repent.They will not seek the lord of Heaven’s Armies.
14. Therefore, in a single day the lord will destroy both the head and the tail,the noble palm branch and the lowly reed.
15. The leaders of Israel are the head,and the lying prophets are the tail.
16. For the leaders of the people have misled them.They have led them down the path of destruction.
17. That is why the Lord takes no pleasure in the young menand shows no mercy even to the widows and orphans.For they are all wicked hypocrites,and they all speak foolishness.But even then the lord’s anger will not be satisfied.His fist is still poised to strike.
18. This wickedness is like a brushfire.It burns not only briers and thornsbut also sets the forests ablaze.Its burning sends up clouds of smoke.
19. The land will be blackenedby the fury of the lord of Heaven’s Armies.The people will be fuel for the fire,and no one will spare even his own brother.