3 Lord, don’t you look for integrity?You have struck them down,but they didn’t even cringe.You have crushed them,but they have ignored your discipline.They make their faces harder than rockand refuse to return.
4 Then I thought to myself,These are the poor who don’t know better!They don’t understand the Lord’s wayor the justice of their God.
5 Let me go and speak to the powerful people,for they will surely know the Lord’s wayand the justice of their God.But they too have broken their yokeand shattered the chains.
6 Therefore, a lion from the forest will attack them;a wolf from the desert will destroy them;a leopard prowling around their townswill tear to pieces anyone venturing out—because of their many crimesand countless acts of unfaithfulness.
7 How can I pardon you?Your children have forsaken meand swear by gods that are not gods.Although I could have satisfied them,they committed adultery,dashing off to the prostitution house.
8 They are lusty stallions roving about,snorting for another’s wife.
9 The Lord declares:Shouldn’t I confront these acts?Shouldn’t I take revenge on such a nation?