Hearthiswordwhichthe LORDhas spokenagainstyou, sonsof Israel,againstthe entirefamilywhichHe broughtup from the landof Egypt:
O seedof IsraelHis servant,Sonsof Jacob,His chosenones!
and he said,"Listen,allJudahand the inhabitantsof Jerusalemand KingJehoshaphat:thussaysthe LORDto you, 'Do not fearor be dismayedbecauseof thisgreatmultitude,for the battleis not yours but God's.
"Listento Me, O houseof Jacob,And allthe remnantof the houseof Israel,You who have been borneby Me from birthAnd have been carriedfrom the womb;
"Listento Me, O Jacob,even Israelwhom I called;I am He, I am the first,I am alsothe last.
For as the waistbandclingsto the waistof a man,soI made the wholehouseholdof Israeland the wholehouseholdof Judahclingto Me,' declaresthe LORD,'that they might be for Me a people,for renown,for praiseand for glory;but they did not listen.'
"At that time,"declaresthe LORD,"I will be the Godof allthe familiesof Israel,and they shall be My people."
"And deathwill be chosenratherthanlifeby allthe remnantthat remainsof thisevilfamily,that remainsin allthe placesto whichI have driventhem," declaresthe LORDof hosts.
Listento the wordof the LORD,O sonsof Israel,For the LORDhas a caseagainstthe inhabitantsof the land,Becausethereis nofaithfulnessor kindnessOr knowledgeof Godin the land.
Hearthis,O priests!Giveheed,O houseof Israel!Listen,O houseof the king!For the judgmentapplies to you, For you have beena snareat MizpahAnd a netspreadout on Tabor.
"It was I who broughtyou up from the landof Egypt,And I ledyou in the wildernessfortyyearsThat you might takepossessionof the landof the Amorite.
Hearthisword,you cowsof Bashanwhoare on the mountainof Samaria,Who oppressthe poor,who crushthe needy,Who sayto your husbands,"Bringnow, that we may drink!"
HearthiswordwhichI takeup for you as a dirge,O houseof Israel:
Thereforethussaysthe LORD,"Behold,I am planningagainstthisfamilya calamityFrom whichyou cannotremoveyour necks;And you will not walkhaughtily,For it will be an eviltime.
And I said,"Hearnow,headsof JacobAnd rulersof the houseof Israel.Is it not for you to knowjustice?
Woeto the inhabitantsof the seacoast,The nationof the Cherethites!The wordof the LORDis againstyou, O Canaan,landof the Philistines;And I will destroyyou Sothat therewill be noinhabitant.
He who hasan ear,let him hearwhatthe Spiritsaysto the churches.'
