20. “Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah, saying:
21. ‘Hear this you foolish people who have no understanding, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.
22. Do you not fear Me?’ says Adonai. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence?’ For I made the sand a boundary of the sea, an everlasting decree that cannot be broken. Though the waves roll, they cannot prevail. Though they roar, they cannot cross it.
23. But this people have a stubborn and rebellious heart. They have turned aside and gone away.
24. They do not say in their heart, ‘Let us now fear Adonai Eloheinu, who gives rain in its season —fall rain and spring rain— who reserves for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’
25. Your iniquities have turned these away, your sins have deprived you of bounty.
26. For among My people are wicked men, watching like bait-layers lying in wait. They set a trap—they catch men.
27. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit. That is why they grew great and rich.
28. They grew fat and sleek. They also overlooked evil deeds. They do not uphold a cause— the cause of an orphan to prosper— nor do they defend the right of the poor.
29. Should I not punish them?” says Adonai. “On such a nation should I not avenge Myself?
30. An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land.
31. The prophets prophesy falsely, the kohanim rule by their own authority, and My people love it this way! But what will you do in the end?”