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son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, who was a captive in the country of the Medes in the reign of Artaxerxes, king of the Persians.
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The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
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"Go and declare to my people their evil deeds, and to their children the iniquities which they have committed against me, so that they may tell their children's children
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that the sins of their parents have increased in them, for they have forgotten me and have offered sacrifices to strange gods.
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Was it not I who brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? But they have angered me and despised my counsels.
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Pull out the hair of your head and hurl all evils upon them, for they have not obeyed my law -- they are a rebellious people.
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How long shall I endure them, on whom I have bestowed such great benefits?
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For their sake I have overthrown many kings: I struck down Pharaoh with his servants, and all his army.
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I have destroyed all nations before them, and scattered in the east the people of two provinces, Tyre and Sidon; I have slain all their enemies.
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"But speak to them and say, Thus says the Lord:
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Surely it was I who brought you through the sea, and made safe highways for you where there was no road; I gave you Moses as leader and Aaron as priest;