The Lord's Indictment Against Israel

8

Adonai sent a word to Ya'akov, and it has fallen on Isra'el.

9

All the people know it, Efrayim and the inhabitants of Shomron. But they say in pride, in the arrogance of their hearts,

10

"The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with cut stone; the sycamore-fig trees have been chopped down, but we will replace them with cedars."

11

So ADONAI has raised up Retzin's foes against him and spurred on his enemies -

12

Aram from the east, P'lishtim from the west; and they devour Isra'el with an open mouth. Even after all this, his anger remains, his upraised hand still threatens.

13

Yet the people do not turn to the one striking them, they don't seek ADONAI-Tzva'ot.

14

Therefore ADONAI will cut off Isra'el's head and tail, [tall] palm frond and [lowly] reed in a single day.

15

The old and the honored are the head, while prophets teaching lies are the tail.

16

For those leading this people lead them astray, and those led by them are destroyed.

17

Therefore Adonai takes no joy in their young men and has no compassion on their orphans and widows; for everyone is ungodly and does evil, every mouth speaks foolishly. Even after all this, his anger remains, his upraised hand still threatens.

18

For wickedness burns like fire, it devours briars and thorns; it sets the forest underbrush ablaze, with clouds of smoke whirling upward.

19

The anger of ADONAI-Tzva'ot is burning up the land; the people, too, are fuel for the fire - no one spares even his brother.

20

The one on the right grabs but stays hungry, the one on the left eats but is unfilled. Everyone devours his own arm's flesh

21

M'nasheh devours Efrayim; and Efrayim, M'nasheh; while together they oppose Y'hudah. Even after all this, his anger remains, his upraised hand still threatens.

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