Strangersdevourhis strength,Yet he does not know[it]; Grayhairsalsoare sprinkledon him, Yet he does not know[it].
Now Hazaelkingof Aramhad oppressedIsraelallthe daysof Jehoahaz.
Pul,kingof Assyria,cameagainstthe land,and MenahemgavePula thousandtalentsof silverso that his handmight be with him to strengthenthe kingdomunder his rule.
"They struckme, [but] I did not becomeill;They beatme, [but] I did not know[it]. Whenshall I awake?I will seekanotherdrink."
Your landis desolate,Your citiesare burnedwith fire,Your fields--strangersare devouringthem in your presence;It is desolation,as overthrownby strangers.
"You have not heard,you have not known.Evenfrom longagoyour earhas not been open,BecauseI knewthat you would dealverytreacherously;And you have been calleda rebelfrom birth.
The righteousmanperishes,and nomantakesit to heart;And devoutmenare takenaway,while nooneunderstands.For the righteousmanis takenawayfrom evil,
My peopleare destroyedfor lackof knowledge.Becauseyou have rejectedknowledge,I also will rejectyou from being My priest.Since you have forgottenthe lawof your God,I alsowill forgetyour children.
For they sowthe windAnd they reapthe whirlwind.The standinggrainhasnoheads;It yieldsnograin.Shouldit yield,strangerswould swallowit up.
