The officers of the Israelites, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, and demanded, “Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as previously?”
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, whose fangs are like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among mortals.
to turn aside the needy from justice and to take away the right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
for the vile person will speak nonsense, and his heart will work iniquity: to practice hypocrisy and to utter error against the Lord, to keep the hungry unsatisfied and to withhold drink from the thirsty.
For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah His pleasant plant. Thus He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!
Behold, you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You do not fast as you do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
What do you mean in using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”?
The captain came to him and said, “What are you doing asleep? Get up, call to your god! Perhaps your god will consider us, so that we will not perish.”