4. Then I thought:They are just the poor;they have played the fool.For they don’t understand the way of the Lord, the justice of their God.
5. I will go to the powerfuland speak to them.Surely they know the way of the Lord,the justice of their God. However, these also had broken the yokeand torn off the chains.
6. Therefore, a lion from the forest will strike them down. A wolf from an arid plain will ravage them.A leopard keeps watch over their cities.Anyone who leaves them will be torn to piecesbecause their rebellious acts are many, their unfaithful deeds numerous.
7. Why should I forgive you?Your children have abandoned Meand sworn by those who are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery; they gashed themselves at the prostitute’s house.
8. They are well-fed, eager stallions, each neighing after someone else’s wife.
9. Should I not punish them for these things? This is the Lord’s declaration.Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?
10. Go up among her vineyard terraces and destroy them, but do not finish them off. Prune away her shoots,for they do not belong to the Lord.
11. They, the house of Israel and the house of Judah,have dealt very treacherously with Me. This is the Lord’s declaration.