¹² A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,^(A)
    but his favor is like dew^(B) on the grass.^(C)

⁶ Therefore a lion from the forest^(A) will attack them,
    a wolf from the desert will ravage^(B) them,
a leopard^(C) will lie in wait near their towns
    to tear to pieces any who venture out,
for their rebellion is great
    and their backslidings many.^(D)

¹⁷ “Israel is a scattered flock^(A)
    that lions^(B) have chased away.
The first to devour^(C) them
    was the king^(D) of Assyria;
the last to crush their bones^(E)
    was Nebuchadnezzar^(F) king^(G) of Babylon.”

¹⁴ For I will be like a lion^(A) to Ephraim,
    like a great lion to Judah.
I will tear them to pieces^(B) and go away;
    I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them.^(C)