IfI had said,"I will speakthus,"Behold,I would have betrayedthe generationof Your children.
Therethey are in greatdread,For Godis with the righteousgeneration.
Posteritywill serveHim; It will be toldof the Lordto the [coming] generation.
Thisis the generationof those who seekHim, Who seekYour face--[even] Jacob.Selah.
"But as for you, you have turnedasidefrom the way;you have caused manyto stumbleby the instruction;you have corruptedthe covenantof Levi,"saysthe LORDof hosts.
For ifbecauseof foodyour brotheris hurt,you are no longerwalkingaccordingto love.Do not destroywith your foodhim for whomChristdied.
It is goodnot to eatmeatorto drinkwine,or[to do anything] by whichyour brotherstumbles.
But you are A CHOSENRACE,A royalPRIESTHOOD,A HOLYNATION,A PEOPLEFOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION,sothat you may proclaimthe excellenciesof Him who has calledyou out of darknessinto His marvelouslight;
"No,my sons;for the reportis not goodwhichI hearthe LORD'Speoplecirculating.
