But to the wickedGodsays,"Whatright have you to tellof My statutesAnd to takeMy covenantin your mouth?
Then the Lordsaid,"Becausethispeopledrawnearwith their wordsAnd honorMe with their lipservice,But they removetheir heartsfarfrom Me, And their reverencefor Me consistsof traditionlearned[by rote],
The secretof the LORDis for those who fearHim, And He will make them knowHis covenant.
forsakingthe rightway,they have gone astray,having followedthe wayof Balaam,the [son] of Beor,wholovedthe wagesof unrighteousness;
NOT LIKETHE COVENANTWHICHI MADEWITH THEIR FATHERSON THE DAYWHEN I TOOKTHEM BY THE HANDTO LEADTHEM OUT OF THE LANDOF EGYPT;FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUEIN MY COVENANT,AND I DID NOT CAREFOR THEM, SAYSTHE LORD.
"Godis spirit,and thosewho worshipHim mustworshipin spiritand truth."
[Like] the legs[which] are uselessto the lame,So is a proverbin the mouthof fools.
but I disciplinemy bodyand make it my slave,so that, after I have preachedto others,I myselfwill not be disqualified.
"Again, when a wickedmanturnsawayfrom his wickednesswhichhe has committedand practicesjusticeand righteousness,he will savehis life.
"Thereis nopeacefor the wicked,"saysthe LORD.
