For even though they knewGod,they did not honorHim as Godorgive thanks,but they became futilein their speculations,and their foolishheartwas darkened.
Then the LORDsawthat the wickednessof manwas greaton the earth,and that everyintentof the thoughtsof his heartwas onlyevilcontinually.
The LORDsmelledthe soothingaroma;and the LORDsaidto Himself,"I will neveragaincursethe groundon accountof man,for the intentof man'sheartis evilfrom his youth;and I will neveragaindestroyeverylivingthing,as I have done.
Now the servantsof the kingof Aramsaidto him, "Their godsare godsof the mountains,thereforethey were strongerthanwe; but ratherlet us fightagainstthem in the plain,[and] surelywe will be strongerthanthey.
They rejectedHis statutesand His covenantwhichHe madewith their fathersand His warningswith whichHe warnedthem. And they followedvanityand becamevain,and [went] afterthe nationswhichsurroundedthem, concerning whichthe LORDhad commandedthem not to dolike them.
"He who offersa sacrificeof thanksgivinghonorsMe; And to him who orders[his] way[aright] I shall showthe salvationof God."
"So I gavethem overto the stubbornnessof their heart,To walkin their own devices.
AllnationswhomYou have madeshall comeand worshipbeforeYou, O Lord,And they shall glorifyYour name.
"Behold,I have foundonlythis,that Godmademenupright,but they have soughtout manydevices."
"For behold,darknesswill coverthe earthAnd deepdarknessthe peoples;But the LORDwill riseupon you And His glorywill appearupon you.
O LORD,my strengthand my stronghold,And my refugein the dayof distress,To You the nationswill comeFrom the endsof the earthand say,"Our fathershave inheritednothingbut falsehood,Futilityand thingsof noprofit."
"The heartis moredeceitfulthanallelse And is desperatelysick;Whocan understandit?
Thussaysthe LORD,"Whatinjusticedid your fathersfindin Me, That they wentfarfrom Me And walkedafteremptinessand becameempty?
but have walkedafterthe stubbornnessof their heartand afterthe Baals,as their fatherstaughtthem,"
in orderto layholdof the heartsof the houseof Israelwhoare estrangedfrom Me through alltheir idols."'
"I alsogavethem statutesthat were not goodand ordinancesby which they could not live;
"For she does not knowthat it was I who gaveher the grain,the newwineand the oil,And lavishedon her silverand gold,[Which] they usedfor Baal.
"Thisis the judgment,that the Lighthas comeinto the world,and menlovedthe darknessratherthanthe Light,for their deedswere evil.
to opentheir eyesso that they may turnfrom darknessto lightand from the dominionof Satanto God,that they may receiveforgivenessof sinsand an inheritanceamongthosewho have been sanctifiedby faithin Me.'
becausethat which is knownabout Godis evidentwithinthem; for Godmade it evidentto them.
And justas they did not see fitto acknowledgeGodany longer, Godgave them overto a depravedmind,to dothosethings which are not proper,
"LET THEIR EYESBE DARKENEDTO SEENOT, AND BENDTHEIR BACKSFOREVER."
and for the Gentilesto glorifyGodfor His mercy;as it is written,"THEREFOREI WILL GIVE PRAISETO YOU AMONGTHE GENTILES,AND I WILL SINGTO YOUR NAME."
and you will gropeat noon,as the blindmangropesin darkness,and you will not prosperin your ways;but you shall onlybe oppressedand robbedcontinually,with noneto saveyou.
For menwill be lovers of self,lovers of money,boastful,arrogant,revilers,disobedientto parents,ungrateful,unholy,
knowingthat you were not redeemedwith perishable thingslike silverorgoldfrom your futileway of lifeinherited from your forefathers,
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;
and he saidwith a loudvoice,"FearGod,and giveHim glory,becausethe hourof His judgmenthas come;worshipHim who madethe heavenand the earthand seaand springsof waters."
"Whowill not fear,O Lord,and glorifyYour name?For You aloneare holy;For ALLTHE NATIONSWILL COMEAND WORSHIPBEFOREYOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTSHAVE BEEN REVEALED."
