21. Pay attention to this,you foolish and senseless people,Who have eyes and do not see,who have ears and do not hear.
22. Should you not fear me—oracle of the Lord—should you not tremble before me?I made the sandy shore the sea’s limit,which by eternal decree it may not overstep.Toss though it may, it is to no avail;though its billows roar, they cannot overstep.
23. But this people’s heart is stubborn and rebellious;they turn and go away,
24. And do not say in their hearts,“Let us fear the Lord, our God,Who gives us rainearly and late, in its time;Who watches for usover the appointed weeks of harvest.”
25. Your crimes have prevented these things,your sins have turned these blessings away from you.
26. For criminals lurk among my people;like fowlers they set traps,but it is human beings they catch.
27. Their houses are as full of treacheryas a bird-cage is of birds;Therefore they grow powerful and rich,
28. fat and sleek.They pass over wicked deeds;justice they do not defendBy advancing the claim of the orphanor judging the cause of the poor.
29. Shall I not punish these things?—oracle of the Lord;on a nation such as this shall I not take vengeance?
30. Something shocking and horriblehas happened in the land:
31. The prophets prophesy falsely,and the priests teach on their own authority;Yet my people like it this way;what will you do when the end comes?