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.
20. They will attack their neighbor on the rightbut will still be hungry.They will devour their neighbor on the leftbut will not be satisfied.In the end they will even eat their own children.
21. Manasseh will feed on Ephraim,Ephraim will feed on Manasseh,and both will devour Judah.But even then the lord’s anger will not be satisfied.His fist is still poised to strike.