Isaiah 9:13-17

Here is the sad cause of the Prophet's lamentation, and a miserable close he makes indeed of the sorrowful subject, at every termination: for the thing explains itself. The Lord corrects in mercy; but men regard it not. The Lord humbles his people, in their houses and families; in their offices and rank; in their connections and relations; but it is all the same. Though the lofty be brought down, and the ancient and honourable be made low; though death enter in at their windows, and their young men be cut off, and distress follow the fatherless and widows; the judgments do not reclaim; no man repenteth him of his wickedness, saying what have I done? Jesus and his salvation are not sought after, nor regarded. They refuse to hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely! Hence the prophet closeth this paragraph as the former, and takes up the same woeful lamentation.