A Guilty Nation

The Lord has said, “Listen, heaven and earth! The children I raised have turned against me.

Israel, you are a sinful nation loaded down with guilt. You are wicked and corrupt and have turned from the Lord, the holy God of Israel.

Why be punished more? Why not give up your sin? Your head is badly bruised, and you are weak all over.

Zion would have disappeared like Sodom and Gomorrah, if the Lord All-Powerful had not let a few of its people survive.

Justice, Not Sacrifices

You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah! So listen to the Lord God:

“Your sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don't like the blood of bulls or lambs or goats.

Your sacrifices are worthless, and your incense disgusting. I can't stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship.

I hate your New Moon Festivals and all others as well. They are a heavy burden I am tired of carrying.

“No matter how much you pray, I won't listen. You are too violent.

The Lord Condemns Jerusalem

Jerusalem, you are like an unfaithful wife. Once your judges were honest and your people lived right; now you are a city full of murderers.

Your leaders have rejected me to become friends of crooks; your rulers are looking for gifts and bribes. Widows and orphans never get a fair trial.

I am the Lord All-Powerful, the mighty ruler of Israel, and I make you a promise: You are now my enemy, and I will show my anger by taking revenge on you.

Jerusalem, I will choose judges and advisors like those you had before. Your new name will be “Justice and Faithfulness.”

Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames.

In the future, the mountain with the Lord's temple will be the highest of all. It will reach above the hills; every nation will rush to it.

He will settle arguments between nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another.

Following Sinful Customs

Our Lord, you have deserted your people, Israel, because they follow customs of nations from the east. They worship Philistine gods and are close friends of foreigners.

Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah

The mighty Lord All-Powerful is going to take away from Jerusalem and Judah everything you need— your bread and water, *

You will each be cruel to friends and neighbors. Young people will insult their elders; no one will show respect to those who deserve it.

But the answer will be, “I can't do you any good. Don't make me your leader. There's no food or clothing left in my house.”

The Lord is ready to accuse and judge all nations.

He will even judge you rulers and leaders of his own nation. You destroyed his vineyard and filled your houses by robbing the poor.

When that day comes, I will take away from those women all the fine jewelry they wear on their ankles, heads, necks, ears, arms, noses, fingers, and on their clothes. I will remove their veils, their belts, their perfume, their magic charms, their royal robes, and all their fancy dresses, hats, and purses.

Then the Lord will cover the whole city and its meeting places with a thick cloud each day and with a flaming fire each night. God's own glory will be like a huge tent that covers everything.

Now I will let you know what I am going to do. I will cut down the hedge and tear down the wall. My vineyard will be trampled and left in ruins.