So that they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he speaks his mischievous desire: so they weave it together.
Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they do not judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
For, behold, the LORD is coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall reveal her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable.
For my people are foolish, they have not known me; they are stupid children, and they have no understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
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.
In you have they taken bribes to shed blood; you have taken interest and unjust gain, and you have greedily gained from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten me, says the Lord GOD.
Then said he to me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD has forsaken the earth, and the LORD does not see.
For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
Even of late my people are risen up like an enemy: you pull off the robe with the garment from those who pass by securely as men who turn away from war.
Their heads judge for reward, and their priests teach for wages, and their prophets divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? no evil can come upon us.
Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make known the intentions of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God.