1 Righteous are you, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet would
I reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are
all they at ease who deal very treacherously? 2 You have planted them,
yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit: you are
near in their mouth, and far from their heart. 3 But you, Yahweh,
know me; you see me, and try my heart toward you: pull them out like sheep
for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. 4 How long
shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the
wickedness of those who dwell therein, the animals are consumed, and the
birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end. 5 If you have
run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend
with horses? and though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you
do in the pride of the Jordan? 6 For even your brothers, and the house of
your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; even they have
cried aloud after you: don’t believe them, though they speak beautiful words
to you. 7 I have forsaken my house, I have cast off my heritage; I have
given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. 8 My
heritage is become to me as a lion in the forest: she has uttered her voice
against me; therefore I have hated her. 9 Is my heritage to me as a
speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go
you, assemble all the animals of the field, bring them to devour.
10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion
under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
11 They have made it a desolation; it mourns to me, being desolate; the
whole land is made desolate, because no man lays it to heart.
12 Destroyers are come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the
sword of Yahweh devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of
the land: no flesh has peace. 13 They have sown wheat, and have reaped
thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and you
shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Yahweh.
14 Thus says Yahweh against all my evil neighbors, who touch the
inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: behold, I will
pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from
among them. 15 It shall happen, after that I have plucked them up, I will
return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to
his heritage, and every man to his land. 16 It shall happen, if they will
diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Yahweh lives;
even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up
in the midst of my people. 17 But if they will not hear, then will I pluck
up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, says Yahweh.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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