8. They were like well-fed stallions wild with desire,each lusting for his neighbour's wife.
9. Shouldn't I punish them for these thingsand take revenge on a nation such as this?
10. I will send enemies to cut down my people's vineyards,but not to destroy them completely.I will tell them to strip away the branches,because those branches are not mine.
11. The people of Israel and Judahhave betrayed me completely.I, the Lord, have spoken.”
12. The Lord's people have denied him and have said, “He won't really do anything. We won't have hard times; we won't have war or famine.”
15. People of Israel, the Lord is bringing a nation from afar to attack you. It is a strong and ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know.