Ah sinful nation, a people burdened with iniquity, a generation of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward.
Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:
Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient to his law.
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his place.
He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offers an offering, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burns incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.
Turn, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I am married to you: and I will take you, one from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
O LORD, are not your eyes upon the truth? you have struck them, but they have not grieved; you have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
For from the least of them even to the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely.
Therefore will I give their wives to others, and their fields to those who shall inherit them: for every one from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely.
I listened and heard, but they did not speak rightly: no man repented of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his way, as the horse rushes into the battle.
And they come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their covetousness.
Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, unsanctified passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry,
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: having a heart they have occupied with covetous practices; cursed children:
And through covetousness shall they with deceitful words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now for a long time has not delayed, and their damnation does not slumber.