1
Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.
2
By swearing and lying, Killing and stealing and committing adultery, They break all restraint, With bloodshed upon bloodshed.
3
Therefore the land will mourn; And everyone who dwells there will waste away With the beasts of the field And the birds of the air; Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.
4
"Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; For your people are like those who contend with the priest.
5
Therefore you shall stumble in the day; The prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; And I will destroy your mother.
6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
7
"The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.
8
They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity.
9
And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, And reward them for their deeds.
10
For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the Lord.
11
"Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.