13 The people did not turn to him who struck them;
they did not seek the Lord of Armies.
14 So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail,(A)
palm branch and reed in a single day.
15 The head is the elder, the honored one;(B)
the tail is the prophet, the one teaching lies.(C)
16 The leaders of the people mislead them,
and those they mislead are swallowed up.[a]
17 Therefore the Lord does not rejoice
over[b] Israel’s young men
and has no compassion
on its fatherless and widows,
for everyone is a godless evildoer,(D)
and every mouth speaks folly.
In all this, his anger has not turned away,
and his hand is still raised to strike.

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Footnotes

  1. 9:16 Or are confused
  2. 9:17 DSS read not spare

13 But the people have not returned(A) to him who struck(B) them,
    nor have they sought(C) the Lord Almighty.
14 So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail,
    both palm branch and reed(D) in a single day;(E)
15 the elders(F) and dignitaries(G) are the head,
    the prophets(H) who teach lies(I) are the tail.
16 Those who guide(J) this people mislead them,
    and those who are guided are led astray.(K)
17 Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men,(L)
    nor will he pity(M) the fatherless and widows,
for everyone is ungodly(N) and wicked,(O)
    every mouth speaks folly.(P)

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

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