[1] And I said, “Hear now, heads of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel. Is it not for you to know justice? [2] “You who hate good and love evil, Who tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones, [3] And who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones, And spread them out as for the pot And as meat in a caldron.” [4] Then they will cry out to Yahweh, But He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time Because they have practiced evil deeds. [5] Thus says Yahweh concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; When they have something to bite with their teeth, They call out, “Peace,” But against him who puts nothing in their mouths, They set themselves apart for war. [6] Therefore it will be night for you—without vision, And darkness for you—without divination. The sun will go down on the prophets, And the day will grow black over them. [7] The seers will be ashamed, And the diviners will be humiliated. Indeed, they will all cover their mouths Because there is no answer from God. [8] On the other hand I am filled with power—With the Spirit of Yahweh—And with justice and might To declare to Jacob his transgression, Even to Israel his sin. [9] Now hear this, heads of the house of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel, Who abhor justice And twist everything that is straight, [10] Who build Zion with bloodshed And Jerusalem with violent injustice. [11] Her heads pronounce judgment for a bribe, And her priests instruct for a price, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on Yahweh saying, “Is not Yahweh in our midst? Evil will not come upon us.” [12] Therefore, on account of you Zion will be plowed as a field; Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, And the mountain of the house of God will become high places of a forest.
