You have weariedthe LORDwith your words.Yet you say,"Howhave we wearied[Him]?" In that you say,"Everyonewho doesevilis goodin the sightof the LORD,and He delightsin them," or,"Whereis the Godof justice?"
"Shall one who hatesjusticerule?And will you condemnthe righteousmightyOne,
Joboughtto be triedto the limit,Becausehe answerslike wickedmen.
"But you were fullof judgmenton the wicked;Judgmentand justicetakehold[of you].
"The earthis giveninto the handof the wicked;He coversthe facesof its judges.If[it is] not [He], thenwhois it?
Becausethe sentenceagainst an evildeedis not executedquickly,thereforethe heartsof the sonsof menamong them are givenfullyto doevil.
"I hateyour newmoon[festivals] and your appointedfeasts,They have becomea burdento Me; I am wearyof bearing[them].
Woeto those who deeplyhidetheir plansfrom the LORD,And whose deedsare [done] in a darkplace,And they say,"Whoseesus?" or "Whoknowsus?"
Thereforethe LORDlongsto be graciousto you, And thereforeHe waits on highto havecompassionon you. For the LORDis a Godof justice;How blessedare allthose who longfor Him.
"Yet you have not calledon Me, O Jacob;But you have becomewearyof Me, O Israel.
"You have boughtMe not sweetcanewith money,Norhave you filledMe with the fatof your sacrifices;Ratheryou have burdenedMe with your sins,You have weariedMe with your iniquities.
Then he said,"Listennow,O houseof David!Is it tooslighta thingfor you to trythe patienceof men,that you will trythe patienceof my Godas well?
Righteousare You, O LORD,that I would plead[my] casewith You; IndeedI would discussmattersof justicewith You: Whyhas the wayof the wickedprospered?[Why] are allthose who dealin treacheryat ease?
"You who have forsakenMe," declaresthe LORD,"You keep goingbackward.So I will stretchout My handagainstyou and destroyyou; I am tiredof relenting!
Look,they keep sayingto me, "Whereis the wordof the LORD?Let it comenow!"
"So the LORDwas nolongerableto endure[it], becauseof the evilof your deeds,becauseof the abominationswhichyou have committed;thus your landhas becomea ruin,an objectof horrorand a curse,withoutan inhabitant,as [it is] thisday.
"Becauseyou have not rememberedthe daysof your youthbut have enragedMe by allthesethings,behold,I in turnwill bringyour conductdownon your own head,"declaresthe LordGOD,"so that you will not committhis lewdnesson topof allyour [other] abominations.
"Yet you say,The wayof the Lordis not right.'Hearnow,O houseof Israel!Is My waynot right?Is it not your waysthat are not right?
Then He saidto me, "Sonof man,do you seewhatthe eldersof the houseof Israelare committingin the dark,eachmanin the roomof his carvedimages?For they say,The LORDdoes not seeus; the LORDhas forsakenthe land.'"
Then He saidto me, "The iniquityof the houseof Israeland Judahis very,verygreat,and the landis filledwith bloodand the cityis fullof perversion;for they say,'The LORDhas forsakenthe land,and the LORDdoes not see!'
"Behold,I am weighteddownbeneathyou As a wagonis weighteddownwhen filledwith sheaves.
"It will comeabout at that timeThat I will searchJerusalemwith lamps,And I will punishthe menWho are stagnantin spirit,Who sayin their hearts,'The LORDwill not dogoodor evil!'
"Yet you say,'For whatreason?'Becausethe LORDhas been a witnessbetweenyou and the wifeof your youth,against whomyou have dealttreacherously,though she is your companionand your wifeby covenant.
"Will a manrobGod?Yetyou are robbingMe! But you say,'Howhave we robbedYou?' In tithesand offerings.
"The Rock!His workis perfect,For allHis waysare just;A Godof faithfulnessand withoutinjustice,Righteousand uprightis He.
"Boastnomoreso veryproudly,Do not let arrogancecomeout of your mouth;For the LORDis a Godof knowledge,And with Him actionsare weighed.
