But people of Jacob, {\cf2\super [31]} \par I must say these things.\par The Lord is losing his patience\par because of the bad things you did.\par If you people lived right,\par then I could say nice words to you.\par
Yes, you must show mercy to other people. If you do not show mercy, then God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear when he is judged.
“The Lord God of Israel promised that your father’s family would serve him forever. But now the Lord says this, ‘That will never be! I will honor people who honor me. But bad things will happen to people who refuse to respect me.