1. Listen to me,you rulers of Israel!You know right from wrong,
2. but you prefer to do evilinstead of what is right.You skin my people alive.You strip off their flesh,
3. break their bones,cook it all in a pot,and gulp it down.
4. Some day you will beg the Lordto help you,but he will turn awaybecause of your sins.
5. You lying prophets promisesecurity for anyonewho gives you food,but disaster for anyonewho refuses to feed you.Here is what the Lord saysto you prophets:
6. “You will live in the dark,far from the sight of the sun,with no message from me.
7. You prophets and fortune-tellerswill all be disgraced,with no message from me.”
8. But the Lord has filled mewith power and his Spirit.I have been given the courageto speak about justiceand to tell you people of Israelthat you have sinned.
9. So listen to my message,you rulers of Israel!You hate justiceand twist the truth.
10. You make cruelty and murdera way of life in Jerusalem.
11. You leaders accept bribesfor dishonest decisions.You priests and prophetsteach and preach,but only for money.Then you say,“The Lord is on our side.No harm will come to us.”
12. And so, because of you,Jerusalem will be ploughed underand left in ruins.Thorns will cover the mountainwhere the temple now stands.