"I have listenedand heard,They have spokenwhatis not right;Nomanrepentedof his wickedness,Saying,'Whathave I done?'Everyoneturnedto his course,Like a horsecharginginto the battle.
"I will sayto God,Do not condemnme; Let me knowwhyYou contendwith me.
"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'?
The LORDhas lookeddownfrom heavenupon the sonsof menTo seeif thereare anywho understand,Who seekafter God.
Thereforethe LORDlongsto be graciousto you, And thereforeHe waits on highto havecompassionon you. For the LORDis a Godof justice;How blessedare allthose who longfor 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.
And He sawthat therewas noman,And was astonishedthat therewas nooneto intercede;Then His own armbroughtsalvationto Him, And His righteousnessupheldHim.
"I have heardwhatthe prophetshave saidwho prophesyfalselyin My name,saying,'I hada dream,I hada dream!'
Will He be angryforever?Will He be indignantto the end?'Behold,you have spokenAnd have doneevilthings,And you have hadyour way."
"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.
"Because he consideredand turnedawayfrom allhis transgressionswhichhe had committed,he shall surelylive;he shall not die.
"I searchedfor a manamongthem who would buildup the walland standin the gapbeforeMe for the land,sothat I would not destroyit; but I foundnoone.
"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.
The godlypersonhas perishedfrom the land,And thereis noupright[person] among men.Allof them liein waitfor bloodshed;Eachof them huntsthe otherwith a net.
"I said,'Surelyyou will revereMe, Acceptinstruction.'So her dwellingwill not be cutoff[According to] allthat I have appointedconcerningher. But they were eagerto corruptalltheir deeds.
Nowtherefore, thussaysthe LORDof hosts,"Consideryour ways!
Thussaysthe LORDof hosts,"Consideryour ways!
Thenthose who fearedthe LORDspoketo oneanother,and the LORDgaveattentionand heard[it], and a bookof remembrancewas writtenbeforeHim for those who fearthe LORDand who esteemHis name.
The Lordis not slowabout His promise,as somecountslowness,but is patienttowardyou, not wishingfor anyto perishbut for allto cometo repentance.
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;
