<p class="poetry">Israel has forgotten his Maker and built royal palaces,p> <p class="poetry">and Judah has built many fortified cities.p> <p class="poetry">But I will send fire on their cities;p> <p class="poetry">it will consume their royal citadels.p>

<p class="poetry">A sword will flash in their cities,p> <p class="poetry">it will destroy the bars of their city gates,p> <p class="poetry">and will devour them in their fortresses.p>

<p class="poetry">I cannot carry out<n id="1" /> my fierce anger!p> <p class="poetry">I cannot totally destroy Ephraim!p> <p class="poetry">Because I am God, and not man &#8211; the Holy One among you &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">I will not come in wrath!p>

<p class="poetry">Where<n id="1" /> then is your king,p> <p class="poetry">that he may save you in all your cities?p> <p class="poetry">Where are<n id="2" /> your rulers for whom you asked, saying,p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Give me a king and princes&#8221;?p>