"Thisis anotherthingyou do:you coverthe altarof the LORDwith tears,with weepingand with groaning,becauseHe nolongerregardsthe offeringor accepts[it with] favorfrom your hand.
Now there was a greatoutcryof the peopleand of their wivesagainsttheir Jewishbrothers.
The sacrificeof the wickedis an abominationto the LORD,But the prayerof the uprightis His delight.
The sacrificeof the wickedis an abomination,Howmuchmorewhenhe bringsit with evilintent!
Then I lookedagainat allthe actsof oppressionwhichwere being doneunderthe sun.And behold[I saw] the tearsof the oppressedand [that] they hadnooneto comfort[them]; and on the sideof their oppressorswas power,but they hadnooneto comfort[them].
"Therefore do not prayfor thispeople,norliftup a cryor prayerfor them; for I will not listenwhenthey callto Me becauseof their disaster.
"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."
"For whatpurposedoes frankincensecometo Me from ShebaAnd the sweetcanefrom a distantland?Your burntofferingsare not acceptableAnd your sacrificesare not pleasingto Me."
"Ohthat there were one among you who would shutthe gates,that you might not uselesslykindle[fire on] My altar!I am not pleasedwith you," saysthe LORDof hosts,"norwill I acceptan offeringfrom you.
"Bewarethat there is nobasethoughtin your heart,saying,The seventhyear,the yearof remission,is near,'and your eyeis hostiletoward your poorbrother,and you givehim nothing;then he may cryto the LORDagainstyou, and it will be a sinin you.
I have not eatenof it while mourning,norhave I removedanyof it while I was unclean,norofferedanyof it to the dead.I have listenedto the voiceof the LORDmy God;I have doneaccording to allthat You have commandedme.
