For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them,
_neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.
Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail,
_branch and rush in one day.
The ancient,
_he is the head;
_and the prophet that teacheth lies,
_he is the tail.
For the leaders of this people cause them to err;
_and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men,
_neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows;
_for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer,
_and every mouth speaketh folly.
For all this his anger is not turned away,
_but his hand is stretched out still.