Find one man
Run through the streets of Jerusalem. Look around and take note; search her public squares. If you can find one person who acts justly and seeks the truth, I will pardon her. And though they say, As surely as the LORD lives, they're still swearing falsely. Lord, aren't your eyes on the truth? You struck them and they felt nothing. You wore them down and they wouldn't take correction. They made their faces harder than rock and refused to come back. So I said: These are only the poor. They're foolish, because they don't know the way of the LORD or the justice of their God. I'll go to the big men and speak to them, because they know the way of the LORD and the justice of their God. But the whole lot of them had broken the yoke and snapped the bonds. So a lion out of the scrub will strike them and a wolf out of the desert will destroy them. A leopard is watching over their cities — anyone who comes out will be torn to pieces. Because their rebellions are many and their turning away is heavy. How can I forgive you for this? Your children have walked out on me and sworn by things that aren't gods. When I filled them up, they committed adultery and crowded into the prostitutes' houses. They were like well-fed stallions in the morning, every man neighing after his neighbour's wife. Should I not deal with all this? declares the LORD. Shouldn't my soul avenge myself on a nation like this? Go up onto her walls and destroy them — but don't consume them completely. Take away her branches, because they're not the LORD's. Because the people of Israel and the people of Judah have dealt treacherously with me, declares the LORD. They've lied about the LORD and said, It's not him. Trouble won't come on us. We won't see sword or famine. And the prophets are just wind. The word isn't in them. That's what'll be done to them.
Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem and have a look. Know it and search the squares. If you can find one man doing justice and looking for the truth, I'll forgive the town. And though they say, As surely as the Lord lives, they're still swearing falsely. Lord, aren't your eyes on the truth? You struck them and they felt nothing. You wore them down and they wouldn't take correction. They made their faces harder than rock and refused to come back. So I said: These are only the poor. They're stupid, because they don't know the way of the Lord or the justice of their God. I'll go to the big men and speak to them, because they know the way of the Lord and the justice of their God. But the whole lot of them had broken the yoke and snapped the bonds. So a lion out of the scrub will strike them and a wolf out of the desert will wreck them. A leopard is watching over their towns — anyone who comes out will be torn to pieces. Because their rebellions are many and their turning away is heavy. How can I forgive you for this? Your children have walked out on me and sworn by things that aren't gods. When I filled them up, they committed adultery and crowded into the prostitutes' houses. They were like well-fed stallions in the morning, every man neighing after his neighbour's wife. Should I not deal with all this? declares the Lord. Shouldn't my soul settle up on a nation like this? Go up onto her walls and wreck them — but don't finish them off completely. Take away her branches, because they're not the Lord's. Because the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt treacherously with me, declares the Lord. They've lied about the Lord and said, It's not him. Trouble won't come on us. We won't see sword or famine. And the prophets are just wind. The word isn't in them. That's what'll be done to them.
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely. O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God. I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour’s wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD’s. For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD. They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
Run through the streets of Jerusalem. Look around and take note; search her public squares. If you can find one person who acts justly and seeks the truth, I will pardon her.
Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem and have a look. Know it and search the squares. If you can find one man doing justice and looking for the truth, I'll forgive the town.
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
And though they say, As surely as the LORD lives, they're still swearing falsely.
And though they say, As surely as the Lord lives, they're still swearing falsely.
And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
Lord, aren't your eyes on the truth? You struck them and they felt nothing. You wore them down and they wouldn't take correction. They made their faces harder than rock and refused to come back.
O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
So I said: These are only the poor. They're foolish, because they don't know the way of the LORD or the justice of their God.
So I said: These are only the poor. They're stupid, because they don't know the way of the Lord or the justice of their God.
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
I'll go to the big men and speak to them, because they know the way of the LORD and the justice of their God. But the whole lot of them had broken the yoke and snapped the bonds.
I'll go to the big men and speak to them, because they know the way of the Lord and the justice of their God. But the whole lot of them had broken the yoke and snapped the bonds.
I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
So a lion out of the scrub will strike them and a wolf out of the desert will destroy them. A leopard is watching over their cities — anyone who comes out will be torn to pieces. Because their rebellions are many and their turning away is heavy.
So a lion out of the scrub will strike them and a wolf out of the desert will wreck them. A leopard is watching over their towns — anyone who comes out will be torn to pieces. Because their rebellions are many and their turning away is heavy.
Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
How can I forgive you for this? Your children have walked out on me and sworn by things that aren't gods. When I filled them up, they committed adultery and crowded into the prostitutes' houses.
How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.
They were like well-fed stallions in the morning, every man neighing after his neighbour's wife.
They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour’s wife.
Should I not deal with all this? declares the LORD. Shouldn't my soul avenge myself on a nation like this?
Should I not deal with all this? declares the Lord. Shouldn't my soul settle up on a nation like this?
Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Go up onto her walls and destroy them — but don't consume them completely. Take away her branches, because they're not the LORD's.
Go up onto her walls and wreck them — but don't finish them off completely. Take away her branches, because they're not the Lord's.
Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD’s.
Because the people of Israel and the people of Judah have dealt treacherously with me, declares the LORD.
Because the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt treacherously with me, declares the Lord.
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.
They've lied about the LORD and said, It's not him. Trouble won't come on us. We won't see sword or famine.
They've lied about the Lord and said, It's not him. Trouble won't come on us. We won't see sword or famine.
They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
And the prophets are just wind. The word isn't in them. That's what'll be done to them.
And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
A nation from far off
So this is what the LORD God Almighty says: Because you've said this, look: I'll make my words in your mouth a fire and this people the wood, and it'll eat them up. Look: I'm bringing a nation on you from far off, people of Israel, declares the LORD. It's a lasting nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don't know, and you won't understand what they're saying. Their quiver is an open grave. Every one of them is a strong man. And they'll eat your harvest and your bread. They'll eat your sons and your daughters. They'll eat your flocks and your herds. They'll eat your vines and your fig trees. They'll knock down with the sword your fortified cities, those you trusted. But even in those days, declares the LORD, I won't make a full end of you. And when you say, Why has the LORD our God done all this to us? — tell them: The way you've walked out on me and served foreign gods in your own land, that's how you'll serve strangers in a land that isn't yours. Tell this in the house of Jacob and let it be heard in Judah: Hear this now, foolish people without understanding, who have eyes but do not see, and ears but do not hear. Don't you fear me? declares the LORD. Won't you shake before me — the one who set the sand as a boundary for the sea, a lasting limit it can't get past? Its waves toss and can't win. They roar and can't get over it. But this people has a revolting and rebellious heart. They have turned aside and gone away. And they don't say in their heart: Let's fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain, the early rain and the late rain in its season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your wrongdoing has turned these things away, and your sins have kept the good back from you. Because among my people there are wicked men. They lie in wait like a fowler crouching down. They set a trap and they catch men. Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of what they have by cheating. That's how they have big and rich. They've got fat and sleek. They've overrun the works of wickedness. They don't take up the case of the orphan — and they escape with it. They don't judge the case of the needy. Should I not deal with all this? declares the LORD. Shouldn't my soul avenge myself on a nation like this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land: The prophets prophesy lies and the priests rule by their own hand, and my people love it that way. And what will you do when the end comes?
So this is what the Lord God Almighty says: Because you've said this, look — I'll make my words in your mouth a fire and this people the wood, and it'll eat them up. Look — I'm bringing a nation on you from far off, house of Israel, declares the Lord. It's a lasting nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don't know, and you won't understand what they're saying. Their quiver is an open grave. Every one of them is a strong man. And they'll eat your harvest and your bread. They'll eat your sons and your daughters. They'll eat your flocks and your herds. They'll eat your vines and your fig trees. They'll knock down with the sword your fortified towns, the ones you trusted. But even in those days, declares the Lord, I won't finish you off completely. And when you say, Why has the Lord our God done all this to us? — tell them: The way you've walked out on me and served foreign gods in your own land, that's how you'll serve strangers in a land that isn't yours. Tell this in the house of Jacob and let it be heard in Judah: Listen to this now, you stupid people with no sense — who've got eyes and can't see, who've got ears and can't hear. Don't you fear me? declares the Lord. Won't you shake in front of me — the one who set the sand as a boundary for the sea, a lasting limit it can't get past? Its waves toss and can't win. They roar and can't get over it. But this people has got a stubborn, rebellious heart. They've turned aside and gone off. And they don't say in their heart: Let's fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain, the early rain and the late rain in its season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your wrongdoing has turned these things away, and your sins have kept the good back from you. Because among my people there are wicked men. They lie in wait like a fowler crouching down. They set a trap and they catch men. Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of what they've got by cheating. That's how they've got big and rich. They've got fat and sleek. They've overrun the works of wickedness. They don't take up the case of the orphan — and they get away with it. They don't judge the case of the needy. Should I not deal with all this? declares the Lord. Shouldn't my soul settle up on a nation like this? Something appalling and horrifying is going on in the land. The prophets prophesy lies and the priests rule by their own hand, and my people love it that way. And what will you do when the end comes?
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men. And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword. Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you. And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours. Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
So this is what the LORD God Almighty says: Because you've said this, look: I'll make my words in your mouth a fire and this people the wood, and it'll eat them up.
So this is what the Lord God Almighty says: Because you've said this, look — I'll make my words in your mouth a fire and this people the wood, and it'll eat them up.
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
Look: I'm bringing a nation on you from far off, people of Israel, declares the LORD. It's a lasting nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don't know, and you won't understand what they're saying.
Look — I'm bringing a nation on you from far off, house of Israel, declares the Lord. It's a lasting nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don't know, and you won't understand what they're saying.
Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
Their quiver is an open grave. Every one of them is a strong man.
Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.
And they'll eat your harvest and your bread. They'll eat your sons and your daughters. They'll eat your flocks and your herds. They'll eat your vines and your fig trees. They'll knock down with the sword your fortified cities, those you trusted.
And they'll eat your harvest and your bread. They'll eat your sons and your daughters. They'll eat your flocks and your herds. They'll eat your vines and your fig trees. They'll knock down with the sword your fortified towns, the ones you trusted.
And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.
But even in those days, declares the LORD, I won't make a full end of you.
But even in those days, declares the Lord, I won't finish you off completely.
Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
And when you say, Why has the LORD our God done all this to us? — tell them: The way you've walked out on me and served foreign gods in your own land, that's how you'll serve strangers in a land that isn't yours.
And when you say, Why has the Lord our God done all this to us? — tell them: The way you've walked out on me and served foreign gods in your own land, that's how you'll serve strangers in a land that isn't yours.
And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.
Tell this in the house of Jacob and let it be heard in Judah:
Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,
Hear this now, foolish people without understanding, who have eyes but do not see, and ears but do not hear.
Listen to this now, you stupid people with no sense — who've got eyes and can't see, who've got ears and can't hear.
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
Don't you fear me? declares the LORD. Won't you shake before me — the one who set the sand as a boundary for the sea, a lasting limit it can't get past? Its waves toss and can't win. They roar and can't get over it.
Don't you fear me? declares the Lord. Won't you shake in front of me — the one who set the sand as a boundary for the sea, a lasting limit it can't get past? Its waves toss and can't win. They roar and can't get over it.
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
But this people has a revolting and rebellious heart. They have turned aside and gone away.
But this people has got a stubborn, rebellious heart. They've turned aside and gone off.
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
And they don't say in their heart: Let's fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain, the early rain and the late rain in its season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
And they don't say in their heart: Let's fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain, the early rain and the late rain in its season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Your wrongdoing has turned these things away, and your sins have kept the good back from you.
Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
Because among my people there are wicked men. They lie in wait like a fowler crouching down. They set a trap and they catch men.
For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of what they have by cheating. That's how they have big and rich.
Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of what they've got by cheating. That's how they've got big and rich.
As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
They've got fat and sleek. They've overrun the works of wickedness. They don't take up the case of the orphan — and they escape with it. They don't judge the case of the needy.
They've got fat and sleek. They've overrun the works of wickedness. They don't take up the case of the orphan — and they get away with it. They don't judge the case of the needy.
They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Should I not deal with all this? declares the LORD. Shouldn't my soul avenge myself on a nation like this?
Should I not deal with all this? declares the Lord. Shouldn't my soul settle up on a nation like this?
Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land:
Something appalling and horrifying is going on in the land.
A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
The prophets prophesy lies and the priests rule by their own hand, and my people love it that way. And what will you do when the end comes?
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?