[It is] your destruction,O Israel,That [you are] against Me, against your help.
For he sacrificedto the godsof Damascuswhich had defeatedhim, and said,"Becausethe godsof the kingsof Aramhelpedthem, I will sacrificeto them that they may helpme." But they becamethe downfallof him and allIsrael.
How blessedis he whosehelpis the Godof Jacob,Whose hopeis in the LORDhis God,
Our soulwaitsfor the LORD;He is our helpand our shield.
Godis our refugeand strength,A verypresenthelpin trouble.
The one who commitsadulterywith a womanis lackingsense;He who would destroyhimselfdoesit.
"But he who sinsagainst me injureshimself;Allthose who hateme lovedeath."
Woeto the wicked![It will go] badly[with him], For whathe deserveswill be doneto him.
The expressionof their facesbearswitnessagainst them, And they displaytheir sinlike Sodom;They do not [even] conceal[it]. Woeto them! For they have broughtevilon themselves.
"Have you not donethisto yourself By your forsakingthe LORDyour GodWhenHe ledyou in the way?
"Your own wickednesswill correctyou, And your apostasieswill reproveyou; Knowtherefore and seethat it is eviland bitterFor you to forsakethe LORDyour God,And the dreadof Me is not in you," declaresthe LordGODof hosts.
"Your waysand your deedsHave broughtthesethingsto you. Thisis your evil.Howbitter!Howit has touchedyour heart!"
Your iniquitieshave turnedtheseaway,And your sinshave withheldgoodfrom you.
Yet I [have been] the LORDyour GodSincethe landof Egypt;And you were not to knowany godexceptMe, For thereis nosaviorbesidesMe.
Return,O Israel,to the LORDyour God,For you have stumbledbecause of your iniquity.
And they do not cryto Me from their heartWhenthey wailon their beds;For the sakeof grainand newwinethey assemblethemselves, They turnawayfrom Me.
Although I trained[and] strengthenedtheir arms,Yet they deviseevilagainstMe.
"But you are profaningit, in that you say,'The tableof the Lordis defiled,and as for its fruit,its foodis to be despised.'
"You also say,My, howtiresomeit is!' And you disdainfullysniffat it," saysthe LORDof hosts,"and you bringwhat was takenby robberyand [what is] lameor sick;so you bringthe offering!Should I receivethat from your hand?"saysthe LORD.
"But nowwill you not entreatGod'sfavor,that He may be graciousto us? With suchan offering on your part,will He receiveanyof you kindly?"saysthe LORDof hosts.
"Thereis nonelike the Godof Jeshurun,Who ridesthe heavensto your help,And through the skiesin His majesty.
"Blessedare you, O Israel;Whois likeyou, a peoplesavedby the LORD,Who is the shieldof your helpAnd the swordof your majesty!So your enemieswill cringebefore you, And you will treadupon their highplaces."
