Study Desk

Hear the word of the Lord ,^(a) people of Israel, for the Lord has a case^(b) against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth,^(c) no faithful love,^(d) and no knowledge of God^(e) in the land!

Cursing,^(f) lying,^(g) murder,^(h) stealing,⁽ⁱ⁾ and adultery^(j) are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.^(k)

For this reason the land mourns,^(l) and everyone who lives in it languishes, along with the wild animals^(m) and the birds of the sky; even the fish of the sea disappear.⁽ⁿ⁾

But let no one dispute;^(o) let no one argue, for My case is against you priests.^[a][b](p)

You will stumble by day;^(q) the prophet will also stumble with you by night. And I will destroy your mother.^(r)

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.^(s) Because you have rejected knowledge,^(t) I will reject you^(u) from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God,^(v) I will also forget your sons.

The more they multiplied,^(w) the more they sinned against Me. I^[c] will change their honor^[d] into disgrace.^(x)

They feed on the sin^[e] of My people;^(y) they have an appetite for their transgressions.^(z)

The same judgment will happen to both people and priests.^(aa) I will punish them for their ways^(ab) and repay them for their deeds.

They will eat but not be satisfied;^(ac) they will be promiscuous^(ad) but not multiply. For they have abandoned their devotion to the Lord .^(ae)

Promiscuity,^(af) wine, and new wine take away one's understanding.^(ag)