12. The Arameans came from the eastand the Philistines from the west,and they ate up Israel with their armies.But the Lord was still angry;his hand was still raised to punish the people.
13. But the people did not return to the one who had struck them;they did not follow the Lord All-Powerful.
14. So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail,taking away both the branch and stalk in one day.
15. The elders and important men were the head,and the prophets who speak lies were the tail.
16. Those who led the people led them in the wrong direction,and those who followed them were destroyed.
17. So the Lord is not happy with the young people,nor will he show mercy to the orphans and widows.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.