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Let me go to important people and speak to them.
They know the way of the Lord
and the justice that God demands.”
But they, too, had broken off their yokes [a]
and torn off their chains.
That is why a lion from the forest will attack them.
A wolf from the wilderness will destroy them.
A leopard will lie in ambush outside their cities.
All who leave the cities will be torn to pieces,
because they rebel so often
and they become more and more unfaithful.

“Why should I forgive you?
Your children abandoned me.
They took godless oaths.
They committed adultery, even though I satisfied their needs.
They traveled in crowds to the houses of prostitutes.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:5 A yoke   is a wooden bar placed over the necks of work animals so that they can pull plows or carts.

So I will go to the leaders(A)
    and speak to them;
surely they know the way of the Lord,
    the requirements of their God.”
But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke
    and torn off the bonds.(B)
Therefore a lion from the forest(C) will attack them,
    a wolf from the desert will ravage(D) them,
a leopard(E) will lie in wait near their towns
    to tear to pieces any who venture out,
for their rebellion is great
    and their backslidings many.(F)

“Why should I forgive you?
    Your children have forsaken me
    and sworn(G) by gods that are not gods.(H)
I supplied all their needs,
    yet they committed adultery(I)
    and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.(J)

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