Who is Shaddai that we should serve Him? What would we gain if we pray to Him?’
They said to God, ‘Leave us alone! What can Shaddai do to us?’
What pleasure is it to Shaddai if you are righteous? Or what gain if your ways are blameless?
For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’
For you ask, ‘What will it profit you?’ and ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’
May Adonai cut off all flattering lips— a tongue bragging big things.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence.
But Pharaoh said, “Who is Adonai, that I should listen to His voice and let Israel go? I do not know Adonai, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”
lest I become satisfied and deny You and say, “Who is Adonai?” Or lest I become poor, and steal and profane the Name of my God.
Get out of the way! Turn away from the path! Let’s hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”
“I have not spoken in secret, in a place of a land of darkness. I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in desolation.’ I, Adonai, speak righteousness, declaring uprightly.”
Therefore thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: “I am about to refine them and test them. For what else can I do for the daughter of My people?
While they were fed, they were satisfied. Filled, their hearts became haughty. Therefore they forgot Me.
You say: “Serving God is worthless.” Also: “What good is it that we kept His service or that we walked as mourners before Adonai-Tzva’ot?
“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you.
Up to now, you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.