For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’
that the wicked man is spared in the day of calamity, that he is rescued in the day of wrath?
They said to God, ‘Depart from us,’ and ‘What can the Almighty do to us?’
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?
Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?
that you ask, ‘What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?’
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
If you see a thief, you are a friend of his; and you keep company with adulterers.
All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
‘Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the good of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?