2 No one can tell it anything;it refuses all correction.It does not trust in the lordor draw near to its God.
3 Its leaders are like roaring lionshunting for their victims.Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time,who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.
4 Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain.Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions.
5 But the lord is still there in the city,and he does no wrong.Day by day he hands down justice,and he does not fail.But the wicked know no shame.
6 “I have wiped out many nations,devastating their fortress walls and towers.Their streets are now deserted;their cities lie in silent ruin.There are no survivors—none at all.
7 I thought, ‘Surely they will have reverence for me now!Surely they will listen to my warnings.Then I won’t need to strike again,destroying their homes.’But no, they get up earlyto continue their evil deeds.
8 Therefore, be patient,” says the lord.“Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations.For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earthand pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them.All the earth will be devouredby the fire of my jealousy.