"I have listenedand heard,They have spokenwhatis not right;Nomanrepentedof his wickedness,Saying,'Whathave I done?'Everyoneturnedto his course,Like a horsecharginginto the battle.
The LORDhas lookeddownfrom heavenupon the sonsof menTo seeif thereare anywho understand,Who seekafter God.
"Because he consideredand turnedawayfrom allhis transgressionswhichhe had committed,he shall surelylive;he shall not die.
The Lordis not slowabout His promise,as somecountslowness,but is patienttowardyou, not wishingfor anyto perishbut for allto cometo repentance.
Thenthose who fearedthe LORDspoketo oneanother,and the LORDgaveattentionand heard[it], and a bookof remembrancewas writtenbeforeHim for those who fearthe LORDand who esteemHis name.
The godlypersonhas perishedfrom the land,And thereis noupright[person] among men.Allof them liein waitfor bloodshed;Eachof them huntsthe otherwith a net.
The restof mankind,whowere not killedby theseplagues,did not repentof the worksof their hands,soas not to worshipdemons,and the idolsof goldand of silverand of brassand of stoneand of wood,whichcanneitherseenorhearnorwalk;
Thussaysthe LORDof hosts,"Consideryour ways!
Nowtherefore, thussaysthe LORDof hosts,"Consideryour ways!
"I searchedfor a manamongthem who would buildup the walland standin the gapbeforeMe for the land,sothat I would not destroyit; but I foundnoone.
"Roamto and frothrough the streetsof Jerusalem,And looknowand takenote.And seekin her opensquares,Ifyou can finda man,Ifthereis one who doesjustice,who seekstruth,Then I will pardonher.
And He sawthat therewas noman,And was astonishedthat therewas nooneto intercede;Then His own armbroughtsalvationto Him, And His righteousnessupheldHim.
Thereforethe LORDlongsto be graciousto you, And thereforeHe waits on highto havecompassionon you. For the LORDis a Godof justice;How blessedare allthose who longfor Him.
"I will sayto God,Do not condemnme; Let me knowwhyYou contendwith me.
"I have heardwhatthe prophetshave saidwho prophesyfalselyin My name,saying,'I hada dream,I hada dream!'
"For has anyone saidto God,'I have borne[chastisement]; I will not offend[anymore];
Teachme what I do not see;IfI have doneiniquity,I will not doit again'?
"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.
Will He be angryforever?Will He be indignantto the end?'Behold,you have spokenAnd have doneevilthings,And you have hadyour way."
"Indeed allIsraelhas transgressedYour lawand turnedaside,not obeyingYour voice;so the cursehas been pouredout on us, along with the oathwhichis writtenin the lawof Mosesthe servantof God,for we have sinnedagainst Him.
"I said,'Surelyyou will revereMe, Acceptinstruction.'So her dwellingwill not be cutoff[According to] allthat I have appointedconcerningher. But they were eagerto corruptalltheir deeds.
