12. For I have known--many [are] your transgressions, And mighty your sins, Adversaries of the righteous, taking ransoms, And the needy in the gate ye turned aside.
13. Therefore is the wise at that time silent, For an evil time it [is].
14. Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live, And it is so; Jehovah, God of Hosts, [is] with you, as ye said.
15. Hate evil, and love good, And set up judgment in the gate, It may be Jehovah, God of Hosts, doth pity the remnant of Joseph.
16. Therefore, thus said Jehovah, God of Hosts, the Lord, In all broad places [is] lamentation, And in all out-places they say, `Alas, alas,' And called the husbandman to mourning, And to lamentation the skilful of wailing.
17. And in all vineyards [is] lamentation, For I pass into thy midst, said Jehovah.
18. Ho, ye who are desiring the day of Jehovah, Why [is] this to you--the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light,
19. As [when] one fleeth from the face of the lion, And the bear hath met him, And he hath come in to the house, And hath leant his hand on the wall, And the serpent hath bitten him.
20. Is not the day of Jehovah darkness and not light, Even thick darkness that hath no brightness?
21. I have hated--I have loathed your festivals, And I am not refreshed by your restraints.
22. For though ye cause burnt-offerings and your presents to ascend to Me, I am not pleased, And the peace-offering of your fatlings I behold not.