Isaiah 9:13-15

New Century Version

¹³ But the people did not return to the one who had struck them;
    they did not follow the Lord All-Powerful.
¹⁴ So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail,
    taking away both the branch and stalk in one day.
¹⁵ The elders and important men were the head,
    and the prophets who speak lies were the tail.