For my people are foolish, they don't know me; they are foolish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
When its boughs are withered, they will be broken off. The women will come and set them on fire, for they are a people of no understanding. Therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them, and he who formed them will show them no favor.
The Kohanim didn't say, Where is the LORD? and those who handle the law didn't know me: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Ba`al, and walked after things that do not profit.
Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
They bend their tongue, [as it were] their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they don't know me, says the LORD.
They will deceive everyone his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.
Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Yisra'el; for the LORD has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: *Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no Kohen to me. Because you have forgotten your God's law, I will also forget your children.
Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.
*His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light.
For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.