Isaiah 9:10-15

10“The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild [all the better] with ashlar (hewed stones); The sycamores have been cut down, But we will replace them with [expensive] cedars.”

11Therefore the Lord raises against Ephraim adversaries from Rezin [king of Aram] And spurs their enemies on,

12The Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west; And they devour Israel with gaping jaws. In spite of all this, God’s anger does not turn away But His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].

13Yet the people do not turn back [in repentance] to Him who struck them, Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts [as their most essential need].

14Therefore the Lord cuts off head and tail [the highest and the lowest] from Israel, Both [the high] palm branch and [the low] bulrush in one day.

15The elderly and honorable man, he is the head; And the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.