"You have said,It is vainto serveGod;and whatprofitis it that we have keptHis charge,and that we have walkedin mourningbeforethe LORDof hosts?
"They saidto God,'Departfrom us!' And 'Whatcan the Almightydoto them?'
"For he has said,It profitsa mannothingWhen he is pleasedwith God.'
"For you say,Whatadvantagewill it be to You? Whatprofitwill I have, morethanif I had sinned?'
"Yet you have not calledon Me, O Jacob;But you have becomewearyof Me, O Israel.
Whyhave we fastedand You do not see?[Why] have we humbledourselvesand You do not notice?'Behold,on the dayof your fastyou find[your] desire,And drivehardallyour workers.
"But they will say,'It's hopeless!For we are goingto followour own plans,and eachof us will actaccording to the stubbornnessof his evilheart.'
"Keepyour feetfrom being unshodAnd your throatfrom thirst;But you said,It is hopeless!No!For I have lovedstrangers,And afterthem I will walk.'
"But sincewe stoppedburningsacrificesto the queenof heavenand pouringout drinkofferingsto her, we have lackedeverythingand have metour endby the swordand by famine."
They turn,[but] not upward,They are like a deceitfulbow;Their princeswill fallby the swordBecauseof the insolenceof their tongue.This[will be] their derisionin the landof Egypt.
"Yet evennow,"declaresthe LORD,"Returnto Me with allyour heart,And with fasting,weepingand mourning;
"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!'
"Your wordshave beenarrogantagainstMe," saysthe LORD."Yet you say,'Whathave we spokenagainstYou?'
Be miserableand mournand weep;let your laughterbe turnedinto mourningand your joyto gloom.
