19. It will be like a man who runs from a lionand meets a bear.It will be like him going into his houseand putting his hand on the wall.And then a snake bites him.
20. So the Lord’s day of judging will bring darkness, not light.It will be a time of sadness, not joy.
21. The Lord says, “I hate and reject your feasts.I cannot stand your religious meetings.
22. You offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings.But I won’t accept them.You bring the best fellowship offerings.But I will ignore them.
23. Take the noise of your songs away from here!I won’t listen to the music of your harps.
24. But let justice flow like a river.Let goodness flow like a never-ending stream.
25. “People of Israel, you did not bring me sacrifices and offeringswhile you traveled in the desert for 40 years.
26. But now you will have to carry with youyour king, the false god Sakkuth,and Kaiwan your idoland the idols of your other star gods you have made.
27. This is because I will send you away as captives beyond Damascus,”says the Lord. His name is God of heaven’s armies.