Isaiah 9:13-17

New International Reader's Version

¹³ But his people have not returned
    to the God who struck them down.
They haven’t turned for help
    to the Lord who rules over all.
¹⁴ So he will cut off from Israel heads and tails alike.
    In a single day he will cut off palm branches and tall grass alike.
The palm branches are the people who rule over others.
    The tall grass is the people who bow down to them.
¹⁵ The elders and important leaders are the heads.
    The prophets who teach lies are the tails.
¹⁶ Those who guide the people of Israel are leading them down the wrong path.
    So those who follow them aren’t on the right road.
¹⁷ The Lord will not be pleased with the young men.
    He won’t take pity on widows and on children whose fathers have died.
All of them are ungodly and evil.
    They say foolish things with their mouths.

Even then, the Lord is still angry.
    His hand is still raised against them.