4 But I thought,“These are only the poor, foolish people.They have not learned the way of the Lord.They do not know what their God wants them to do.
5 So I will go to the leaders of Judah.I will talk to them.Surely they understand the way of the Lord.They know what God wants them to do.”But the leaders had all joined together to break away from the Lord.They broke their ties with him.
6 So a lion from the forest will attack them.A wolf from the desert will kill them.A leopard is hiding and waiting for them near their towns.It will tear to pieces anyone who comes out of the city.This will happen because the people of Judah have sinned greatly.They have wandered away from the Lord many times.
7 The Lord said, “Tell me why I should forgive you.Your children have left me.They have made promises to idols that are not gods at all.I gave your children everything they needed.But they still were like an unfaithful wife to me.They spent much time in houses of prostitutes.
8 They are like well-fed, male horses filled with sexual desire.Each one wants another man’s wife.
9 Shouldn’t I punish the people of Judah for doing these things?” says the Lord.“I should give a nation such as this the punishment it deserves.
10 “Go along and cut down Judah’s vineyards.But do not completely destroy them.Cut off all her people as if they were branches.Do it because they do not belong to the Lord.