[For] those who turnjusticeinto wormwoodAnd castrighteousnessdownto the earth."
But as for those who turnasideto their crookedways,The LORDwill leadthem away with the doersof iniquity.Peacebe upon Israel.
The wordsof his mouthare wickednessand deceit;He has ceasedto be wise[and] to dogood.
The violenceof the wickedwill dragthem away,Becausethey refuseto actwith justice.
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
Woeto those who enactevilstatutesAnd to those who constantly recordunjustdecisions,
"Listento Me, you stubborn-minded,Who are farfrom righteousness.
Woeto those who callevilgood,and goodevil;Who substitutedarknessfor lightand lightfor darkness;Who substitutebitterfor sweetand sweetfor bitter!
For the vineyardof the LORDof hostsis the houseof IsraelAnd the menof JudahHis delightfulplant.Thus He lookedfor justice,but behold,bloodshed;For righteousness,but behold,a cryof distress.
"But when a righteousmanturnsawayfrom his righteousness,commitsiniquityand doesaccording to allthe abominationsthat a wickedmandoes,will he live?Allhis righteousdeedswhichhe has donewill not be rememberedfor his treacherywhichhe has committedand his sinwhichhe has committed;for them he will die.
"Again, when a righteousmanturnsawayfrom his righteousnessand commitsiniquity,and I placean obstaclebeforehim, he will die;sinceyou have not warnedhim, he shall diein his sin,and his righteousdeedswhichhe has doneshall not be remembered;but his bloodI will requireat your hand.
"When the righteousturnsfrom his righteousnessand commitsiniquity,then he shall diein it.
They speak[mere] words,With worthlessoathsthey makecovenants;And judgmentsproutslike poisonousweedsin the furrowsof the field.
"I will also cutoffthe judgefrom her midstAnd slayallher princeswith him," saysthe LORD.
"But they do not knowhow to dowhatis right,"declaresthe LORD,"these who hoardup violenceand devastationin their citadels."
Do horsesrunon rocks?Ordoes one plowthem with oxen?Yetyou have turnedjusticeinto poisonAnd the fruitof righteousnessinto wormwood,
Nowhearthis,headsof the houseof JacobAnd rulersof the houseof Israel,Who abhorjusticeAnd twisteverythingthat is straight,
Thereforethe lawis ignoredAnd justiceis neverupheld.For the wickedsurroundthe righteous;Thereforejusticecomesout perverted.
And those who have turnedbackfrom followingthe LORD,And those whohave not soughtthe LORDor inquiredof Him."
sothat therewill not be among you a manorwoman,orfamilyortribe,whoseheartturnsawaytodayfrom the LORDour God,to goand servethe godsof thosenations;that therewill not be among you a rootbearingpoisonousfruitand wormwood.
