2. Although they say, “As surely as the Lord lives,”still they are swearing falsely.’
3. Lord, do not your eyes look for truth?You struck them, but they felt no pain;you crushed them but they refused correction.They made their faces harder than stoneand refused to repent.
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?