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I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.
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I will destroy your idols and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands.
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I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles when I demolish your cities.
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The Lord’s Case Against Israel
Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.
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“Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.
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Israel’s Guilt and Punishment
Listen! The Lord is calling to the city— and to fear your name is wisdom— “Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.
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Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.
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Therefore, I have begun to destroy you, to ruin you because of your sins.
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You have observed the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their traditions. Therefore I will give you over to ruin and your people to derision; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”
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Israel’s Misery
What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave.
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Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire— they all conspire together.
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Israel Will Rise
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
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The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds.
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Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will put their hands over their mouths and their ears will become deaf.
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They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to the Lord our God and will be afraid of you.
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Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
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You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
