²⁴ Therefore, ^(A)as a tongue of fire consumes stubble
And dry grass collapses into the flame,
So their ^(B)root will become ^(C)like rot and their blossom ^[a]blow away as dust;
For they have ^(D)rejected the law of the Lord of hosts
And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

^16 (A)Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up,
They will bear ^(B)no fruit.
Even though they bear children,
I will slay the ^(C)precious ones of their womb.

⁹ “Yet it was I who destroyed the ^(A)Amorite before them,
^[a]Though his ^(B)height was like the height of cedars
And he was strong as the oaks;
I even destroyed his ^(C)fruit above and his root below.