Why do you cry over your injury? Your pain is incurable. For the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you.

你为何因损伤哀号呢？你的痛苦无法医治。我因你的罪孽甚大，罪恶众多，曾将这些加在你身上。

你为何因所受的损伤哀号呢？你的痛苦无法医治。我因你罪孽甚大，罪恶众多，曾将这些加在你身上。

你为何因所受的损伤哀号呢？你的痛苦无法医治。我因你罪孽甚大，罪恶众多，曾将这些加在你身上。

你们为何因自己无法医治的创伤而哭泣呢？因为你们罪大恶极，罪过无数，我才这样惩罚你们。

你为什么因你的损伤哀叫呢？你的病痛无法痊愈。我这样对你，是因你的罪孽甚多，你的罪恶无数。

你為何因損傷哀號呢？你的痛苦無法醫治。我因你的罪孽甚大，罪惡眾多，曾將這些加在你身上。

你為何因所受的損傷哀號呢？你的痛苦無法醫治。我因你罪孽甚大，罪惡眾多，曾將這些加在你身上。

你為何因所受的損傷哀號呢？你的痛苦無法醫治。我因你罪孽甚大，罪惡眾多，曾將這些加在你身上。

你們為何因自己無法醫治的創傷而哭泣呢？因為你們罪大惡極，罪過無數，我才這樣懲罰你們。

你為甚麼因你的損傷哀叫呢？你的病痛無法痊愈。我這樣對你，是因你的罪孽甚多，你的罪惡無數。

你為甚麼因你的破爛而哀呼你痛苦之無法醫治呢？我將這些刑罰施在你身上、都因你罪孽之眾多，你罪惡之重大呀。

爾曷因創傷而哀號乎、爾之痛苦、不可療也、我之待爾若此、以爾愆尤重大、罪惡增多也、

爾既遭難、何哭泣若此、因爾咎戾眾多、故予責爾、傷殘殊甚。

爾雖受傷損、痛苦難堪、豈可鳴冤、爾愆尤甚多、罪惡加增、故我待爾若是、

Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you.

Why do you cry out about your wound? Your pain can’t be healed. Your guilt is very great. And you have committed many sins. That is why I have done all these things to you.

Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable. Because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant, I have done these things to you.

Why do you protest your punishment— this wound that has no cure? I have had to punish you because your sins are many and your guilt is great.

Why do you cry out about your injury? Your pain has no cure! I have done these things to you because of your enormous guilt and your innumerable sins.

Why do you cry out over your injury? Your pain is incurable. Because your wrongdoing is great And your sins are numerous, I have done these things to you.

Why do you cry about your affliction? Your sorrow is incurable. Because of the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you.

Why criest thou for thy hurt? thy pain is incurable: for the greatness of thine iniquity, because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

Why do you cry out about your injury? Your pain has no cure! I have done these things to you because of your enormous guilt and your innumerable sins.

Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow[ is] incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity:[ because] thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

Why do you complain about your injuries, that your pain is incurable? I have done all this to you because your wickedness is so great and your sin is so much.

All your lovers have forgotten you. They don’t seek you. For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins were increased.

For Yahweh says,“ Your hurt is incurable. Your wound is grievous.

Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’

I will bear the indignation of Yahweh, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case, and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light. I will see his righteousness.

For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.’

For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds,” says Yahweh;“ because they have called you an outcast, saying,‘ It is Zion, whom no man seeks after.’”

Behold, you trust in lying words that can’t profit.Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known,then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say,‘ We are delivered;’ that you may do all these abominations?Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it,” says Yahweh.

Her adversaries have become the head. Her enemies prosper; for Yahweh has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions. Her young children have gone into captivity before the adversary.

“ Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good from you.For among my people are found wicked men. They watch, as fowlers lie in wait. They set a trap. They catch men.As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit. Therefore they have become great, and grew rich.They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and they don’t defend the rights of the needy.“ Shouldn’t I punish for these things?” says Yahweh.“ Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?“ An astonishing and horrible thing has happened in the land.The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?

Again Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,“ Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations;and say,‘ The Lord Yahweh says to Jerusalem:“ Your origin and your birth is of the land of the Canaanite. An Amorite was your father, and your mother was a Hittite.As for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut. You weren’t washed in water to cleanse you. You weren’t salted at all, nor wrapped in blankets at all.No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you, to have compassion on you; but you were cast out in the open field, because you were abhorred in the day that you were born.“‘“ When I passed by you, and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you,‘ Though you are in your blood, live!’ Yes, I said to you,‘ Though you are in your blood, live!’I caused you to multiply as that which grows in the field, and you increased and grew great, and you attained to excellent ornament. Your breasts were formed, and your hair grew; yet you were naked and bare.“‘“ Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore to you, and entered into a covenant with you,” says the Lord Yahweh,“ and you became mine.“‘“ Then washed I you with water. Yes, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you, and I anointed you with oil.I clothed you also with embroidered work, and put sealskin sandals on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.I decked you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands, and put a chain on your neck.I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered work. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate.Your renown went out among the nations for your beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you,” says the Lord Yahweh.“‘“ But you trusted in your beauty, and played the prostitute because of your renown, and poured out your prostitution on everyone who passed by. It was his.You took some of your garments, and made for yourselves high places decked with various colors, and played the prostitute on them. This shall not happen, neither shall it be.You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and played the prostitute with them.You took your embroidered garments, covered them, and set my oil and my incense before them.My bread also which I gave you, fine flour, oil, and honey, with which I fed you, you even set it before them for a pleasant aroma; and so it was,” says the Lord Yahweh.“‘“ Moreover you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you have borne to me, and you have sacrificed these to them to be devoured. Was your prostitution a small matter,that you have slain my children, and delivered them up, in causing them to pass through the fire to them?In all your abominations and your prostitution you have not remembered the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, and were wallowing in your blood.“‘“ It has happened after all your wickedness. Woe, woe to you!” says the Lord Yahweh,“ that you have built for yourselves a vaulted place, and have made yourselves a lofty place in every street.You have built your lofty place at the head of every way, and have made your beauty an abomination, and have opened your feet to everyone who passed by, and multiplied your prostitution.You have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger.See therefore, I have stretched out my hand over you, and have diminished your portion, and delivered you to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of your lewd way.You have played the prostitute also with the Assyrians, because you were insatiable; yes, you have played the prostitute with them, and yet you weren’t satisfied.You have moreover multiplied your prostitution to the land of merchants, to Chaldea; and yet you weren’t satisfied with this.“‘“ How weak is your heart,” says the Lord Yahweh,“ since you do all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute;in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way, and make your lofty place in every street, and have not been as a prostitute, in that you scorn pay.“‘“ A wife who commits adultery! Who takes strangers instead of her husband!People give gifts to all prostitutes; but you give your gifts to all your lovers, and bribe them, that they may come to you on every side for your prostitution.You are different from other women in your prostitution, in that no one follows you to play the prostitute; and whereas you give hire, and no hire is given to you, therefore you are different.”’“ Therefore, prostitute, hear Yahweh’s word:‘ The Lord Yahweh says,“ Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;therefore see, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you have taken pleasure, and all those who you have loved, with all those who you have hated. I will even gather them against you on every side, and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness.I will judge you, as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.I will also give you into their hand, and they will throw down your vaulted place, and break down your lofty places. They will strip you of your clothes, and take your beautiful jewels. They will leave you naked and bare.They will also bring up a company against you, and they will stone you with stones, and thrust you through with their swords.They will burn your houses with fire, and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women. I will cause you to cease from playing the prostitute, and you will also give no hire any more.So I will cause my wrath toward you to rest, and my jealousy will depart from you. I will be quiet, and will not be angry any more.“‘“ Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have raged against me in all these things; therefore, behold, I also will bring your way on your head,” says the Lord Yahweh:“ and you shall not commit this lewdness with all your abominations.“‘“ Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb against you, saying,‘ As is the mother, so is her daughter.’You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband and her children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite.Your elder sister is Samaria, who dwells at your left hand, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, who dwells at your right hand, is Sodom with her daughters.Yet you have not walked in their ways, nor done their abominations; but soon you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh,“ Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters.“‘“ Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters. She also didn’t strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.They were arrogant, and committed abomination before me. Therefore I took them away when I saw it.Samaria hasn’t committed half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all your abominations which you have done.You also bear your own shame yourself, in that you have given judgment for your sisters; through your sins that you have committed more abominable than they, they are more righteous than you. Yes, be also confounded, and bear your shame, in that you have justified your sisters.“‘“ I will reverse their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, and the captivity of your captives among them;that you may bear your own shame, and may be ashamed because of all that you have done, in that you are a comfort to them.Your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, will return to their former estate; and Samaria and her daughters will return to their former estate; and you and your daughters will return to your former estate.For your sister Sodom was not mentioned by your mouth in the day of your pride,before your wickedness was uncovered, as at the time of the reproach of the daughters of Syria, and of all who are around her, the daughters of the Philistines, who despise you all around.You have borne your lewdness and your abominations,” says Yahweh.“‘ For the Lord Yahweh says:“ I will also deal with you as you have done, who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish to you an everlasting covenant.Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your sisters, your elder sisters and your younger; and I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant.I will establish my covenant with you. Then you will know that I am Yahweh;that you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more, because of your shame, when I have forgiven you all that you have done,” says the Lord Yahweh.’”

Therefore a lion out of the forest will kill them. A wolf of the evenings will destroy them. A leopard will watch against their cities. Everyone who goes out there will be torn in pieces, because their transgressions are many and their backsliding has increased.“ How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and sworn by what are no gods. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the prostitutes’ houses.They were as fed horses roaming at large. Everyone neighed after his neighbor’s wife.Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says Yahweh.“ Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

“ After all that has come on us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, since you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such a remnant,

In the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Yahweh, and sat before me.Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,“ Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them,‘ The Lord Yahweh says:“ Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh,“ I will not be inquired of by you.”’“ Will you judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers.Tell them,‘ The Lord Yahweh says:“ In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the offspring of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying,‘ I am Yahweh your God;’in that day I swore to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.I said to them,‘ Each of you throw away the abominations of his eyes. Don’t defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.’“‘“ But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me. They didn’t all throw away the abominations of their eyes. They also didn’t forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the middle of the land of Egypt.But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.So I caused them to go out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.I gave them my statutes, and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he will live in them.Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.“‘“ But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They didn’t walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keeps, he shall live in them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;because they rejected my ordinances, and didn’t walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn’t destroy them. I didn’t make a full end of them in the wilderness.I said to their children in the wilderness,‘ Don’t walk in the statutes of your fathers. Don’t observe their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.I am Yahweh your God. Walk in my statutes, keep my ordinances, and do them.Make my Sabbaths holy. They shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am Yahweh your God.’“‘“ But the children rebelled against me. They didn’t walk in my statutes, and didn’t keep my ordinances to do them, which if a man does, he shall live in them. They profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances in which they should not live.I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused all that opens the womb to pass through the fire, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am Yahweh.”’“ Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them,‘ The Lord Yahweh says:“ Moreover, in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.For when I had brought them into the land which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering. There they also made their pleasant aroma, and there they poured out their drink offerings.Then I said to them,‘ What does the high place where you go mean?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.”’“ Therefore tell the house of Israel,‘ The Lord Yahweh says:“ Do you pollute yourselves in the way of your fathers? Do you play the prostitute after their abominations?When you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? Should I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I will not be inquired of by you!“‘“ That which comes into your mind will not be at all, in that you say,‘ We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.’As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will be king over you.I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out.I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,” says the Lord Yahweh.“ I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.I will purge out from among you the rebels and those who disobey me. I will bring them out of the land where they live, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”“‘ As for you, house of Israel, the Lord Yahweh says:“ Go, everyone serve his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me; but you shall no more profane my holy name with your gifts and with your idols.For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel,” says the Lord Yahweh,“ there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.I will accept you as a pleasant aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered. I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.You will know that I am Yahweh when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.There you will remember your ways, and all your deeds in which you have polluted yourselves. Then you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.You will know that I am Yahweh, when I have dealt with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, you house of Israel,” says the Lord Yahweh.’”Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,“ Son of man, set your face toward the south, and preach toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South.Tell the forest of the South,‘ Hear Yahweh’s word: The Lord Yahweh says,“ Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree. The burning flame will not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.All flesh will see that I, Yahweh, have kindled it. It will not be quenched.”’”Then I said,“ Ah Lord Yahweh! They say of me,‘ Isn’t he a speaker of parables?’”

“ Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backsliding will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing, that you have forsaken Yahweh your God, and that my fear is not in you,” says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies.

Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted Yahweh’s house which he had made holy in Jerusalem.Yahweh, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place;but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until Yahweh’s wrath arose against his people, until there was no remedy.Therefore he brought on them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or gray- headed. He gave them all into his hand.

The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!For this our heart is faint. For these things our eyes are dim.

Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city!She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.Her princes within her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing until the next day.Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.Yahweh, within her, is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn’t fail, but the unjust know no shame.

Go up into Gilead, and take balm, virgin daughter of Egypt. You use many medicines in vain. There is no healing for you.

“ For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done only that which was evil in my sight from their youth; for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, says Yahweh.For this city has been to me a provocation of my anger and of my wrath from the day that they built it even to this day, so that I should remove it from before my face,because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger: they, their kings, their princes, their priests, their prophets, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.They have turned their backs to me, and not their faces. Although I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not listened to receive instruction.But they set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it.They built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through fire to Molech, which I didn’t command them. It didn’t even come into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.”

How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers.Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says:“ Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself on my enemies.

When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,

and I said,“ My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God; for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.Since the days of our fathers we have been exceedingly guilty to this day; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests, have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly in an instant.He will break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing, so that there won’t be found among the broken pieces a piece good enough to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.”

Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,“ You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations.You shall say,‘ The Lord Yahweh says:“ A city that sheds blood within herself, that her time may come, and that makes idols against herself to defile her!You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed, and are defiled in your idols which you have made! You have caused your days to draw near, and have come even to your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mocking to all the countries.Those who are near, and those who are far from you, will mock you, you infamous one, full of tumult.“‘“ Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood.In you have they treated father and mother with contempt. Among you they have oppressed the foreigner. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow.You have despised my holy things, and have profaned my Sabbaths.Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness among you.In you have they uncovered their fathers’ nakedness. In you have they humbled her who was unclean in her impurity.One has committed abomination with his neighbor’s wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter- in- law. Another in you has humbled his sister, his father’s daughter.In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten me,” says the Lord Yahweh.“‘“ Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at your blood which has been within you.Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I will deal with you? I, Yahweh, have spoken it, and will do it.I will scatter you among the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will consume your filthiness out of you.You will be profaned in yourself, in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”’”Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,“ Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the middle of the furnace. They are the dross of silver.Therefore the Lord Yahweh says:‘ Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem.As they gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will lay you there, and melt you.Yes, I will gather you, and blow on you with the fire of my wrath, and you will be melted in the middle of it.As silver is melted in the middle of the furnace, so you will be melted in the middle of it; and you will know that I, Yahweh, have poured out my wrath on you.’”Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,

Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a spring of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! For they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.“ They bend their tongue, as their bow, for falsehood. They have grown strong in the land, but not for truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they don’t know me,” says Yahweh.“ Everyone beware of his neighbor, and don’t trust in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go around like a slanderer.Friends deceive each other, and will not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. They weary themselves commiting iniquity.Your habitation is in the middle of deceit. Through deceit, they refuse to know me,” says Yahweh.Therefore Yahweh of Armies says,“ Behold, I will melt them and test them; for how should I deal with the daughter of my people?Their tongue is a deadly arrow. It speaks deceit. One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart, he waits to ambush him.Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says Yahweh.“ Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on a nation such as this?

For her wounds are incurable; for it has come even to Judah. It reaches to the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.

“ For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness. From the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.

He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in the middle of it, and also cut out a wine press in it. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

It is because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the middle of her.

“ For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all who work wickedness, will be stubble; and the day that comes will burn them up,” says Yahweh of Armies,“ that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the stall.

Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward.Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity. Your lips have spoken lies. Your tongue mutters wickedness.No one sues in righteousness, and no one pleads in truth. They trust in vanity, and speak lies. They conceive mischief, and give birth to iniquity.

“ But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; for you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.“ Why will you contend with me? You all have transgressed against me,” says Yahweh.“ I have struck your children in vain. They received no correction. Your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them:transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.Justice is turned away backward, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has fallen in the street, and uprightness can’t enter.Yes, truth is lacking; and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Yahweh saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.

Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?

and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.Our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying,‘ Take supplies in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them. Tell them,“ We are your servants. Now make a covenant with us.”’

Therefore I am to Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah like rottenness.“ When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to king Jareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound.

For Yahweh of Armies said,“ Cut down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be visited. She is wholly oppression within herself.As a well produces its waters, so she produces her wickedness. Violence and destruction is heard in her. Sickness and wounds are continually before me.

“ Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, cast your law behind their back, killed your prophets that testified against them to turn them again to you, and they committed awful blasphemies.Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them. In the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors who saved them out of the hands of their adversaries.But after they had rest, they did evil again before you; therefore you left them in the hands of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them; yet when they returned, and cried to you, you heard from heaven; and many times you delivered them according to your mercies,and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they were arrogant, and didn’t listen to your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances( which if a man does, he shall live in them), turned their backs, stiffened their neck, and would not hear.Yet many years you put up with them, and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not listen. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.“ Nevertheless in your manifold mercies you didn’t make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for you are a gracious and merciful God.Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness, don’t let all the travail seem little before you, that has come on us, on our kings, on our princes, on our priests, on our prophets, on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day.However you are just in all that has come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly.Also our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you testified against them.For they have not served you in their kingdom, and in your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land which you gave before them. They didn’t turn from their wicked works.“ Behold, we are servants today, and as for the land that you gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its good, behold, we are servants in it.