⁵ So I will go to the leaders^(A)
    and 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 yoke
    and torn off the bonds.^(B)
6 Therefore a lion from the forest^(C) will attack them,
    a wolf from the desert will ravage^(D) them,
a leopard^(E) will lie in wait near their towns
    to tear to pieces any who venture out,
for their rebellion is great
    and their backslidings many.^(F)

⁷ “Why should I forgive you?
    Your children have forsaken me
    and sworn^(G) by gods that are not gods.^(H)
I supplied all their needs,
    yet they committed adultery^(I)
    and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.^(J)
8 They are well-fed, lusty stallions,
    each neighing for another man’s wife.^(K)
9 Should I not punish them for this?”^(L)
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge^(M) myself
    on such a nation as this?

¹⁰ “Go through her vineyards and ravage them,
    but do not destroy them completely.^(N)
Strip off her branches,
    for these people do not belong to the Lord.
¹¹ The people of Israel and the people of Judah
    have been utterly unfaithful^(O) to me,”
declares the Lord.