27
It is not as though you had forsaken me; you have forsaken yourselves, says the Lord.
28
"Thus says the Lord Almighty: Have I not entreated you as a father entreats his sons or a mother her daughters or a nurse her children,
29
that you should be my people and I should be your God, and that you should be my sons and I should be your father?
30
I gathered you as a hen gathers her brood under her wings. But now, what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence.
31
When you offer oblations to me, I will turn my face from you; for I have rejected your feast days, and new moons, and circumcisions of the flesh.
32
I sent to you my servants the prophets, but you have taken and slain them and torn their bodies in pieces; their blood I will require of you, says the Lord.
33
"Thus says the Lord Almighty: Your house is desolate; I will drive you out as the wind drives straw;
34
and your sons will have no children, because with you they have neglected my commandment and have done what is evil in my sight.
35
I will give your houses to a people that will come, who without having heard me will believe. Those to whom I have shown no signs will do what I have commanded.
36
They have seen no prophets, yet will recall their former state.
37
I call to witness the gratitude of the people that is to come, whose children rejoice with gladness; though they do not see me with bodily eyes, yet with the spirit they will believe the things I have said.