Then Jehoahazentreatedthe favorof the LORD,and the LORDlistenedto him; for He sawthe oppressionof Israel,howthe kingof Aramoppressedthem.
Godheardthe ladcrying;and the angelof Godcalledto Hagarfrom heavenand saidto her, "Whatis the matter with you, Hagar?Do not fear,for Godhas heardthe voiceof the ladwherehe is.
"Ifthe Godof my father,the Godof Abraham,and the fearof Isaac,hadnot beenfor me, surelynowyou would have sentme awayempty-handed.Godhas seenmy afflictionand the toilof my hands,so He renderedjudgmentlastnight."
Now Hazaelkingof Aramhad oppressedIsraelallthe daysof Jehoahaz.
But the LORDwas graciousto them and hadcompassionon them and turnedto them becauseof His covenantwith Abraham,Isaac,and Jacob,and wouldnot destroythem or castthem from His presenceuntilnow.
For the LORDsawthe afflictionof Israel,[which was] verybitter;for there was neitherbondnorfree,norwas thereany helperfor Israel.
His prayeralso and [how God] was entreatedby him, and allhis sin,his unfaithfulness,and the siteson whichhe builthighplacesand erectedthe Asherimand the carvedimages,beforehe humbledhimself, behold,they are writtenin the recordsof the Hozai.
So we fastedand soughtour Godconcerningthis[matter], and He listenedto our entreaty.
"You will prayto Him, and He will hearyou; And you will payyour vows.
Callupon Me in the dayof trouble;I shall rescueyou, and you will honorMe."
WhenHe killedthem, then they soughtHim, And returnedand searcheddiligentlyfor God;
The LORDsaid,"I have surelyseenthe afflictionof My peoplewhoare in Egypt,and have givenheedto their crybecauseof their taskmasters,for I am awareof their sufferings.
"Now,behold,the cryof the sonsof Israelhas cometo Me; furthermore,I have seenthe oppressionwith whichthe Egyptiansare oppressingthem.
O LORD,they soughtYou in distress;They could only whispera prayer,Your chasteningwas upon them.
In alltheir afflictionHe was afflicted,And the angelof His presencesavedthem; In His loveand in His mercyHe redeemedthem, And He liftedthem and carriedthem allthe daysof old.
Who sayto a tree,'You are my father,'And to a stone,'You gaveme birth.'For they have turned[their] backto Me, And not [their] face;But in the timeof their troublethey will say,'Ariseand saveus.'
Callto Me and I will answeryou, and I will tellyou greatand mightythings,which you do not know.'
So the peoplecameto Mosesand said,"We have sinned,becausewe have spokenagainst the LORDand you; intercedewith the LORD,that He may removethe serpentsfrom us." And Mosesintercededfor the people.
Then the sonsof Israelcriedout to the LORD,saying,"We have sinnedagainst You, for indeed, we have forsakenour Godand servedthe Baals."
