to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,
They will come weeping, but I will bring them back with consolation. , I will lead them to wadis filled with water, by a smooth way where they will not stumble, for I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Yet you are our Father, even though Abraham does not know us and Israel doesn’t recognise us. You, Lord, are our Father; your name is Our Redeemer from Ancient Times.
Tell him: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. But so far you have not listened.
‘A son honours his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is my honour? And if I am a master, where is your fear of me? says the Lord of Armies to you priests, who despise my name.’ Yet you ask, ‘How have we despised your name? ’