6. Therefore, a lion from the forest will attack them;a wolf from the desert will destroy them;a leopard prowling around their townswill tear to pieces anyone venturing out—because of their many crimesand countless acts of unfaithfulness.
7. How can I pardon you?Your children have forsaken meand swear by gods that are not gods.Although I could have satisfied them,they committed adultery,dashing off to the prostitution house.
8. They are lusty stallions roving about,snorting for another’s wife.
9. The Lord declares:Shouldn’t I confront these acts?Shouldn’t I take revenge on such a nation?
10. Climb through her vineyards and ravage them,although not completely.Prune back her branches,because they aren’t the Lord’s.
11. The people of Israel and Judahhave been utterly faithless to me,declares the Lord.
12. They have lied about the Lordand said, "He’ll do nothing!Disaster won’t come upon us;we won’t see war or famine."
13. The prophets are so much wind;the word isn’t in them.Thus and so may it be done to them.
14. Therefore, the Lord God of heavenly forces proclaims:Because you have spoken this way,I will put my wordsin your mouth as a fire;it will consume the people,who are but kindling.
15. I am about to bring a distant nation against you,people of Israel,declares the Lord.It is an established nation,an ancient nation,a nation whose language you don’t know,whose speech you won’t understand.
16. Its weapons are deadly;its warriors are many.
17. It will devour your harvest and food;it will devour your sons and daughters;it will devour your flocks and herds;it will devour your vines and fig trees;it will shatter your fortified towns in which you trust—with the sword!
18. Yet even in those days, declares the Lord, I won’t completely destroy you.
19. And when they ask, "Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us?" you must reply, "Just as you have abandoned me and served foreign gods in your land, so you will serve strangers in a land not your own."
20. Declare this to the people of Jacob,announce it in Judah: