23. But these people are stubborn and rebellious.They have turned aside and wandered away from me.
24. They don’t say to themselves,‘We should fear the Lord our God.He sends rain at the right time,the autumn rain and the spring rain.He makes sure that we have harvest seasons.’
25. Your wickedness has turned these things away.Your sins have kept good things away from you.
26. “Wicked people are found among my people.They lie in ambush like bird catchers.They set traps and catch people.
27. Like cages filled with birds, their houses are filled with deceit.That is why they become powerful and rich.
28. They grow big and fat.Their evil deeds have no limits.They have no respect for the rights of others.They have no respect for the rights of orphans.But they still prosper.They don’t defend the rights of the poor.
29. I will punish them for these things,” declares the Lord.“I will punish this nation.
30. “Something horrible and disgusting is happening in the land:
31. Prophets prophesy lies.Priests rule under the prophets’ directions,and my people love this.But what will you do in the end?”