"[But] he who killsan oxis [like] one who slaysa man;He who sacrificesa lambis [like] the one who breaksa dog'sneck;He who offersa grain offering[is like one who offers] swine'sblood;He who burnsincenseis [like] the one who blessesan idol.As they have chosentheir [own] ways,And their souldelightsin their abominations,
The sacrificeof the wickedis an abominationto the LORD,But the prayerof the uprightis His delight.
The sacrificeof the wickedis an abomination,Howmuchmorewhenhe bringsit with evilintent!
Noone recalls,noris there knowledgeor understandingto say,"I have burnedhalfof it in the fireand alsohave bakedbreadoverits coals.I roastmeatand eat[it]. Then I makethe restof it into an abomination,I falldownbefore a blockof wood!"
Allof us like sheephave goneastray,Eachof us has turnedto his own way;But the LORDhas caused the iniquityof us allTo fallon Him.
"Because of the iniquityof his unjustgainI was angryand struckhim; I hid[My face] and was angry,And he wenton turningaway,in the wayof his heart.
I will destineyou for the sword,And allof you will bowdownto the slaughter.BecauseI called,but you did not answer;I spoke,but you did not hear.And you didevilin My sightAnd chosethat in whichI did not delight."
"I have spreadout My handsalldaylong to a rebelliouspeople,Who walk[in] the waywhich is not good,followingtheir own thoughts,
"Those who sanctifyand purifythemselves [to go] to the gardens,Followingonein the center,Who eatswine'sflesh,detestablethingsand mice,Will cometo an endaltogether,"declaresthe LORD.
"For whatpurposedoes frankincensecometo Me from ShebaAnd the sweetcanefrom a distantland?Your burntofferingsare not acceptableAnd your sacrificesare not pleasingto Me."
He shall then bringit to Aaron'ssonsthe priests;and shall takefrom it his handfulof its fineflourand of its oilwith allof its frankincense.And the priestshall offer[it] up in smoke[as] its memorialportionon the altar,an offeringby fireof a soothingaromato the LORD.
Then Haggaisaid,"'Sois thispeople.And sois thisnationbeforeMe,' declaresthe LORD,'and sois everyworkof their hands;and whatthey offerthereis unclean.
"The pig,becauseit dividesthe hoofbut [does] not [chew] the cud,it is uncleanfor you. You shall not eatanyof their fleshnortouchtheir carcasses.
"You shall not bringthe hireof a harlotor the wagesof a doginto the houseof the LORDyour Godfor anyvotiveoffering,for bothof these are an abominationto the LORDyour God.
"Goand cryout to the godswhichyou have chosen;let them deliveryou in the timeof your distress."
In thosedaystherewas nokingin Israel;everyonedidwhatwas rightin his own eyes.
"Newgodswere chosen;Thenwar[was] in the gates.Not a shieldor a spearwas seenAmong fortythousandin Israel.
