And Ephraimsaid,"SurelyI have becomerich,I have foundwealthfor myself; In allmy laborsthey will findin me Noiniquity,which[would be] sin."
Even those who trustin their wealthAnd boastin the abundanceof their riches?
"Behold,the manwho would not makeGodhis refuge,But trustedin the abundanceof his riches[And] was strongin his [evil] desire."
Do not trustin oppressionAnd do not vainlyhopein robbery;Ifrichesincrease,do not set[your] heart[upon them].
A false balanceis an abominationto the LORD,But a justweightis His delight.
There is a kindwho is purein his own eyes,Yet is not washedfrom his filthiness.
Thisis the wayof an adulterouswoman:She eatsand wipesher mouth,And says,"I have donenowrong."
"Howcan you say,'I am not defiled,I have not goneafterthe Baals?Lookat your wayin the valley!Knowwhatyou have done!You are a swiftyoungcamelentanglingher ways,
Yet you said,'I am innocent;SurelyHis angeris turnedawayfrom me.' Behold,I will enterinto judgmentwith you Becauseyou say,'I have not sinned.'
Like a cagefullof birds,Sotheir housesare fullof deceit;Thereforethey have becomegreatand rich.
"By your greatwisdom,by your tradeYou have increasedyour richesAnd your heartis liftedup because of your riches--
As [they had] their pasture,they becamesatisfied,And beingsatisfied,their heartbecameproud;Thereforethey forgotMe.
Return,O Israel,to the LORDyour God,For you have stumbledbecause of your iniquity.
They feedon the sinof My peopleAnd directtheir desiretowardtheir iniquity.
saying,"Whenwill the newmoonbe over,So that we may sellgrain,And the sabbath,that we may openthe wheat[market], To makethe bushelsmallerand the shekelbigger,And to cheatwith dishonestscales,
Thereforethey offera sacrificeto their netAnd burnincenseto their fishingnet;Becausethrough thesethingstheir catchis large,And their foodis plentiful.
"Those whobuythem slaythem and gounpunished,and [each of] those who sellthem says,'Blessedbe the LORD,for I have becomerich!'And their own shepherdshavenopityon them.
You have weariedthe LORDwith your words.Yet you say,"Howhave we wearied[Him]?" In that you say,"Everyonewho doesevilis goodin the sightof the LORD,and He delightsin them," or,"Whereis the Godof justice?"
"Your wordshave beenarrogantagainstMe," saysthe LORD."Yet you say,'Whathave we spokenagainstYou?'
But wishingto justifyhimself,he saidto Jesus,"And whois my neighbor?"
And I will sayto my soul,"Soul,you havemanygoodslaidup for manyyears[to come]; take your ease,eat,drink[and] be merry."'
"Noservantcanservetwomasters;for eitherhe will hatethe oneand lovethe other,or elsehe will be devotedto oneand despisethe other.You cannotserveGodand wealth."
And He saidto them, "You are thosewho justifyyourselvesin the sightof men,but Godknowsyour hearts;for that which is highly esteemedamongmenis detestablein the sightof God.
"Otherwise, you may sayin your heart,'My powerand the strengthof my handmademe thiswealth.'
Instructthosewho are richin thispresentworldnot to be conceitedorto fix their hopeon the uncertaintyof riches,but on God,who richlysuppliesus with all thingsto enjoy.
and constant frictionbetween menof depravedmindand deprivedof the truth,who supposethat godlinessis a means of gain.
Becauseyou say,"I amrich,and have become wealthy,and haveneedof nothing,"and you do not knowthat you are wretchedand miserableand poorand blindand naked,
