"And he answeredand saidto him, 'Let it alone,sir,for thisyeartoo,untilI digaroundit and putin fertilizer;
Therefore He saidthat He would destroythem, Had not MosesHis chosenone stoodin the breachbeforeHim, To turnawayHis wrathfrom destroying[them].
He said,"IfnowI have foundfavorin Your sight,O Lord,I pray,let the Lordgoalong in our midst,eventhoughthe peopleare so obstinate,and pardonour iniquityand our sin,and takeus as Your own possession."
Then the LORDsaidto me, "Even thoughMosesand Samuelwere to standbeforeMe, My heartwould not be with thispeople;sendthem awayfrom My presenceand let them go!
Should goodbe repaidwith evil?For they have duga pitfor me. Rememberhow I stoodbeforeYou To speakgoodon their behalf,So as to turnawayYour wrathfrom them.
Let the priests,the LORD'Sministers,Weepbetweenthe porchand the altar,And let them say,"SpareYour people,O LORD,And do not makeYour inheritancea reproach,A bywordamong the nations.Whyshould they among the peoplessay,Whereis their God?'"
"And he saidto the vineyard-keeper,'Behold,for threeyearsI have comelookingfor fruiton thisfig treewithoutfindingany. Cut it down!Whydoes it evenuseup the ground?'
and ifit bearsfruitnextyear, [fine]; but ifnot, cut it down.'"
"It is uselesseitherfor the soilorfor the manure pile;it is thrownout. He who hasearsto hear,let him hear."
Brethren,my heart'sdesireand my prayerto Godfor them is for [their] salvation.
ifsomehowI might move to jealousymy fellow countrymenand savesomeof them.
The Lordis not slowabout His promise,as somecountslowness,but is patienttowardyou, not wishingfor anyto perishbut for allto cometo repentance.
