8
The Lordsent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
9
And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
10
The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
11
Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join[a] his enemiestogether;
12
The Syriansbefore, and the Philistinesbehind; and they shall devourIsrael with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13
For the peopleturneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
14
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israelhead and tail,branch and rush, in oneday.
15
The ancient and honourable*, he is the head; and the prophet that teachethlies, he is the tail.
16
For the leaders[b] of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
17
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouthspeakethfolly.[c] For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18
For wickednessburneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.