"Behold,the rulersof Israel,eachaccording to his power,have beenin you for the purposeof sheddingblood.
"For our kings,our leaders,our priestsand our fathershave not keptYour lawOr paidattentionto Your commandmentsand Your admonitionswith whichYou have admonishedthem.
There is a kindof [man] whose teethare [like] swordsAnd his jawteeth[like] knives,To devourthe afflictedfrom the earthAnd the needyfrom among men.
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
"But your eyesand your heartAre [intent] onlyupon your own dishonestgain,And on sheddinginnocentbloodAnd on practicingoppressionand extortion."
becauseof allthe evilof the sonsof Israeland the sonsof Judahwhichthey have doneto provokeMe to anger--they, their kings,their leaders,their priests,their prophets,the menof Judahand the inhabitantsof Jerusalem.
"I will goto the greatAnd will speakto them, For they knowthe wayof the LORD[And] the ordinanceof their God."But they too, with oneaccord,have brokenthe yoke[And] burstthe bonds.
"Cryout and wail,sonof man;for it is against My people,it is against allthe officialsof Israel.They are deliveredover to the swordwith My people,thereforestrike[your] thigh.
"Her princeswithinher are like wolvestearingthe prey,by sheddingblood[and] destroyinglivesin orderto getdishonestgain.
"You shall say,'Thussaysthe LordGOD,"A citysheddingbloodin her midst,so that her timewill come,and that makesidols,contraryto her [interest], for defilement!
"This shall be his landfor a possessionin Israel;so My princesshall nolongeroppressMy people,but they shall give[the rest of] the landto the houseof Israelaccording to their tribes."
"Openshamebelongs to us, O Lord,to our kings,our princesand our fathers,becausewe have sinnedagainst You.
Woeto those who schemeiniquity,Who workout evilon their beds!When morningcomes, they doit, For it is in the powerof their hands.
Her princeswithinher are roaringlions,Her judgesare wolvesat evening;They leavenothingfor the morning.
Her prophetsare reckless,treacherousmen;Her priestshave profanedthe sanctuary.They have doneviolenceto the law.
Now Joshuawas clothedwith filthygarmentsand standingbeforethe angel.
