"Therefore do not prayfor thispeople,norliftup a cryor prayerfor them; for I will not listenwhenthey callto Me becauseof their disaster.
IfI regardwickednessin my heart,The Lordwill not hear;
"Nowthen letMe alone,that My angermay burnagainst them and that I may destroythem; and I will makeof you a greatnation."
Thereforethussaysthe LORD,"BeholdI am bringingdisasteron them whichthey will not be ableto escape;though they will cryto Me, yet I will not listento them.
So the LORDsaidto me, "Do not prayfor the welfareof thispeople.
"Whenthey fast,I am not going to listento their cry;and whenthey offerburntofferingand grain offering,I am not going to acceptthem. RatherI am going to makean endof them by the sword,famineand pestilence."
Then the LORDsaidto me, "Even thoughMosesand Samuelwere to standbeforeMe, My heartwould not be with thispeople;sendthem awayfrom My presenceand let them go!
"As for you, do not prayfor thispeople,and do not liftup cryor prayerfor them, and do not intercedewith Me; for I do not hearyou.
They will gowith their flocksand herdsTo seekthe LORD,but they will not find[Him]; He has withdrawnfrom them.
"And justas He calledand they would not listen,sothey calledand I would not listen,"saysthe LORDof hosts;
"Thisis anotherthingyou do:you coverthe altarof the LORDwith tears,with weepingand with groaning,becauseHe nolongerregardsthe offeringor accepts[it with] favorfrom your hand.
Ifanyoneseeshis brothercommittinga sinnot [leading] to death,he shall askand [God] will for him givelifeto thosewho commit sinnot [leading] to death.There is a sin[leading] to death;I do not saythat he should make requestfor this.
