7. “Listen, my people, and I will speak.Listen, Israel, and I will testify against you:I am God, your God!
8. I am not criticizing you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings,which are always in front of me.
9. ⌊But⌋ I will not accept ⌊another⌋ young bull from your householdor a single male goat from your pens.
10. Every creature in the forest,⌊even⌋ the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine.
11. I know every bird in the mountains.Everything that moves in the fields is mine.
12. If I were hungry, I would not tell you,because the world and all that it contains are mine.
13. Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14. Bring ⌊your⌋ thanks to God as a sacrifice,and keep your vows to the Most High.
15. Call on me in times of trouble.I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”
16. But God says to wicked people,“How dare you quote my decreesand mouth my promises!
17. You hate discipline.You toss my words behind you.
18. When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him.You keep company with people who commit adultery.
19. You let your mouth say anything evil.Your tongue plans deceit.
20. You sit and talk against your own brother.You slander your own mother’s son.
21. When you did these things, I remained silent.⌊That⌋ made you think I was like you.I will argue my point with youand lay it all out for you to see.