I will go to the great men and speak to them,
For (A)they have known the way of the Lord,
The judgment of their God.”

But these have altogether (B)broken the yoke
And burst the bonds.
Therefore (C)a lion from the forest shall slay them,
(D)A wolf of the deserts shall destroy them;
(E)A leopard will watch over their cities.
Everyone who goes out from there shall be torn in pieces,
Because their transgressions are many;
Their backslidings have increased.

“How shall I pardon you for this?
Your children have forsaken Me
And (F)sworn by those (G)that are not gods.
(H)When I had fed them to the full,
Then they committed adultery
And assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.

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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)
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)

“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)

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