3 The ox knows its owner,and the donkey its master’s crib,but Israel does not know,my people do not understand.”
4 Ah, sinful nation,a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers,children who deal corruptly!They have forsaken the Lord,they have despised the Holy One of Israel,they are utterly estranged.
5 Why will you still be struck down?Why will you continue to rebel?The whole head is sick,and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head,there is no soundness in it,but bruises and soresand raw wounds;they are not pressed out or bound upor softened with oil.
7 Your country lies desolate;your cities are burned with fire;in your very presenceforeigners devour your land;it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.
8 And the daughter of Zion is leftlike a booth in a vineyard,like a lodge in a cucumber field,like a besieged city.
9 If the Lord of hostshad not left us a few survivors,we should have been like Sodom,and become like Gomorrah.