³ O my people, what have I done to you? how have I been a weariness to you? give answer against me.

⁵ These are the words of the Lord: What evil have your fathers seen in me that they have gone far from me, and, walking after what is false, have become false?

²² But you have made no prayer to me, O Jacob: and you have given no thought to me, O Israel.

²³ You have not made me burned offerings of sheep, or given me honour with your offerings of beasts; I did not make you servants to give me an offering, and I did not make you tired with requests for perfumes.

¹³ If only my people would give ear to me, walking in my ways!

³¹ O generation, see the word of the Lord. Have I been a waste land to Israel? or a land of dark night? why do my people say, We have got loose, we will not come to you again?

⁷ Give ear, O my people, to my words; O Israel, I will be a witness against you; I am God, even your God.

¹⁹ Now, we have knowledge that what the law says is for those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and all men may be judged by God:

⁴ In no way: but let God be true, though every man is seen to be untrue; as it is said in the Writings, That your words may be seen to be true, and you may be seen to be right when you are judged.

⁵ But if the righteousness of God is supported by our wrongdoing what is to be said? is it wrong for God to be angry (as men may say)?

⁵ O my people, keep in mind now what was designed by Balak, king of Moab, and the answer which Balaam, son of Beor, gave him; the events, from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may be certain of the upright acts of the Lord.

⁸ Give ear, O my people, and I will give you my word, O Israel, if you will only do as I say!

⁴ Against you, you only, have I done wrong, working that which is evil in your eyes; so that your words may be seen to be right, and you may be clear when you are judging.