12
I know how many crimes you have committed. You have sinned far too much. You crush those who do what is right. You accept money from people who want special favors. You take away the rights of poor people in the courts.
13
So those who are wise keep quiet in times like these. That's because the times are evil.
14
Look to what is good, not to what is evil. Then you will live. And the LORD God who rules over all will be with you, just as you say he is.
15
Hate what is evil. Love what is good. Do what is fair in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God who rules over all will show you his favor. After all, you are the only ones left in the family line of Joseph.
16
The LORD God rules over all. The Lord says, "People will sob in all of the streets. They will be very sad in every market place. Even farmers will be told to cry loudly. People will sob over the dead.
17
Workers will cry in all of the vineyards. That is because I will punish you," says the Lord.
The Day of the LORD Is Coming
18 How terrible it will be for you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you want it to come? That day will be dark, not light.
19
It will be like a man running away from a lion only to meet a bear. He enters his house and rests his hand on a wall only to be bitten by a snake.
20
The day of the LORD will be dark, not light. It will be very black. There won't be a ray of sunlight anywhere.
21
The LORD says, "I hate your holy feasts. I can't stand them. I hate it when you gather together.
22
You bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings. But I will not accept them. You bring your best friendship offerings. But I will not even look at them.