"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.
Furthermore,allthe officialsof the priestsand the peoplewere veryunfaithful[following] allthe abominationsof the nations;and they defiledthe houseof the LORDwhichHe had sanctifiedin Jerusalem.
Now when Mosessawthat the peoplewere out of control--for Aaronhad let them getout of controlto be a derisionamong their enemies--
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
"For longagoI brokeyour yoke[And] toreoffyour bonds;But you said,'I will not serve!'For on everyhighhillAnd undereverygreentreeYou have laindownas a harlot.
"O generation,heedthe wordof the LORD.Have I beena wildernessto Israel,Ora landof thickdarkness?Whydo My peoplesay,We [are free to] roam;We will nolongercometo You'?
Allyour lovershave forgottenyou, They do not seekyou; For I have woundedyou with the woundof an enemy,With the punishmentof a cruelone,Becauseyour iniquityis great[And] your sinsare numerous.
"For from the leastof them even to the greatestof them, Everyoneis greedyfor gain,And from the propheteven to the priestEveryonedealsfalsely.
"Eventhe storkin the skyKnowsher seasons;And the turtledoveand the swiftand the thrushObservethe timeof their migration;But My peopledo not knowThe ordinanceof the LORD.
"They bendtheir tongue[like] their bow;Liesand not truthprevailin the land;For they proceedfrom evilto evil,And they do not knowMe," declaresthe LORD.
He saidto me, "Sonof man,theseare the menwho deviseiniquityand giveeviladvicein thiscity,
Hearthisword,you cowsof Bashanwhoare on the mountainof Samaria,Who oppressthe poor,who crushthe needy,Who sayto your husbands,"Bringnow, that we may drink!"
Woeto thosewho are at easein ZionAnd to those who [feel] securein the mountainof Samaria,The distinguishedmen of the foremostof nations,To whomthe houseof Israelcomes.
Her leaderspronouncejudgmentfor a bribe,Her priestsinstructfor a priceAnd her prophetsdivinefor money.Yet they leanon the LORDsaying,"Is not the LORDin our midst?Calamitywill not comeupon us."
"For the lipsof a priestshould preserveknowledge,and men should seekinstructionfrom his mouth;for he is the messengerof the LORDof hosts.
And Jesuslookedat him and said,"Howhardit is for thosewho are wealthyto enterthe kingdomof God!
"But his citizenshatedhim and senta delegationafterhim, saying,'We do not wantthis manto reignoverus.'
