4. I thought, ‘These are only the poor;they are foolish,for they do not know the way of the Lord,the requirements of their God.
5. So I will go to the leadersand speak to them;surely they know the way of the Lord,the requirements of their God.’But with one accord they too had broken off the yokeand torn off the bonds.
6. Therefore a lion from the forest will attack them,a wolf from the desert will ravage them,a leopard will lie in wait near their townsto tear to pieces any who venture out,for their rebellion is greatand their backslidings many.
7. ‘Why should I forgive you?Your children have forsaken meand sworn by gods that are not gods.I supplied all their needs,yet they committed adulteryand thronged to the houses of prostitutes.
8. They are well-fed, lusty stallions,each neighing for another man’s wife.
9. Should I not punish them for this?’declares the Lord.‘Should I not avenge myselfon such a nation as this?
10. ‘Go through her vineyards and ravage them,but do not destroy them completely.Strip off her branches,for these people do not belong to the Lord.
11. The people of Israel and the people of Judahhave been utterly unfaithful to me,’declares the Lord.