Isaiah 9:8-17

New International Version

The Lord’s Anger Against Israel

⁸The Lord has sent a message^(A) against Jacob;
    it will fall on Israel.
⁹All the people will know it—
    Ephraim^(B) and the inhabitants of Samaria^(C)—
who say with pride
    and arrogance^(D) of heart,
¹⁰“The bricks have fallen down,
    but we will rebuild with dressed stone;^(E)
the fig^(F) trees have been felled,
    but we will replace them with cedars.^(G)”
¹¹But the Lord has strengthened Rezin’s^(H) foes against them
    and has spurred their enemies on.
¹²Arameans^(I) from the east and Philistines^(J) from the west
    have devoured^(K) Israel with open mouth.

Yet for all this, his anger^(L) is not turned away,
his hand is still upraised.^(M)

¹³But the people have not returned^(N) to him who struck^(O) them,
    nor have they sought^(P) the Lord Almighty.
¹⁴So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail,
    both palm branch and reed^(Q) in a single day;^(R)
¹⁵the elders^(S) and dignitaries^(T) are the head,
    the prophets^(U) who teach lies^(V) are the tail.
¹⁶Those who guide^(W) this people mislead them,
    and those who are guided are led astray.^(X)
¹⁷Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men,^(Y)
    nor will he pity^(Z) the fatherless and widows,
for everyone is ungodly^(AA) and wicked,^(AB)
    every mouth speaks folly.^(AC)