16 The leaders of the people mislead them,
and those they mislead are swallowed up.[a]
17 Therefore the Lord does not rejoice
over[b] Israel’s young men
and has no compassion
on its fatherless and widows,
for everyone is a godless evildoer,(A)
and every mouth speaks folly.
In all this, His anger is not removed,
and His hand is still raised to strike.

18 For wickedness burns like a fire(B)
that consumes thorns and briers
and kindles the forest thickets
so that they go up in a column of smoke.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 9:16 Or are confused
  2. Isaiah 9:17 DSS read not spare

16 Those who guide(A) this people mislead them,
    and those who are guided are led astray.(B)
17 Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men,(C)
    nor will he pity(D) the fatherless and widows,
for everyone is ungodly(E) and wicked,(F)
    every mouth speaks folly.(G)

Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,
    his hand is still upraised.(H)

18 Surely wickedness burns like a fire;(I)
    it consumes briers and thorns,(J)
it sets the forest thickets ablaze,(K)
    so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke.

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