Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and travelled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.
This is what the Lord says: What fault did your ancestors find in me that they went so far from me, followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?
Evil generation, pay attention to the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do my people claim, ‘We will go where we want; we will no longer come to you’?
For my people have committed a double evil: They have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, and dug cisterns for themselves #– # cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.
But look: joy and gladness, butchering of cattle, slaughtering of sheep and goats, eating of meat, and drinking of wine – ‘Let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die! ’
Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him.
They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are spots and blemishes, delighting in their deceptions while they feast with you.