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The people have rebelled
and rejected the Lord
    too many times.
So enemies will attack
like lions from the forest
    or wolves from the desert.
Those enemies will watch
    the towns of Judah,
and like leopards
they will tear to pieces
    whoever goes outside.

Enemies Will Punish Judah

The Lord said:

People of Judah,
    how can I forgive you?
I gave you everything,
but you abandoned me
    and worshiped idols.
You men go to prostitutes
and are unfaithful
    to your wives.
You are no better than animals,
and you always want sex
    with someone else's wife.

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Therefore a lion from the forest(A) will attack them,
    a wolf from the desert will ravage(B) them,
a leopard(C) will lie in wait near their towns
    to tear to pieces any who venture out,
for their rebellion is great
    and their backslidings many.(D)

“Why should I forgive you?
    Your children have forsaken me
    and sworn(E) by gods that are not gods.(F)
I supplied all their needs,
    yet they committed adultery(G)
    and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.(H)
They are well-fed, lusty stallions,
    each neighing for another man’s wife.(I)

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