Judgment against Israel’s Hypocrisy

But the people did not return to Him who struck them;

they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.

14 

So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail,

[both] palm branch and reed in a single day.

15 

The head is the elder and honorable man,

and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.

16 

For those who guide this people mislead them,

and those they mislead are swallowed up.

17 

Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men;

He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows.

For every one of them is godless and wicked,

and every mouth speaks folly.

Despite all this, His anger is not turned away;

His hand is still upraised.

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