Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Recognise how evil and bitter it is for you to abandon the Lord your God and to have no fear of me. This is the declaration of the Lord God of Armies.
‘And now plead for God’s favour. Will he be gracious to us? Since this has come from your hands, will he show any of you favour? ’ asks the Lord of Armies.
The look on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom, they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster on themselves.
How happy you are, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is the shield that protects you, the sword you boast in. Your enemies will cringe before you, and you will tread on their backs. ,
You also say, “Look, what a nuisance! ” And you scorn it,’ , says the Lord of Armies. ‘You bring stolen, , lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands? ’ asks the Lord.
He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him; he said, ‘Since the gods of the kings of Aram are helping them, I will sacrifice to them so that they will help me.’ But they were the downfall of him and of all Israel.
