1. Search every street in Jerusalem,comb the squares,look far and widefor one person,even one who acts justlyand seeks truth that I may pardon her!
2. Even when making a pledge—"As the Lord lives"—they swear falsely.
3. Lord, don’t you look for integrity?You have struck them down,but they didn’t even cringe.You have crushed them,but they have ignored your discipline.They make their faces harder than rockand refuse to return.
4. Then I thought to myself,These are the poor who don’t know better!They don’t understand the Lord’s wayor the justice of their God.
5. Let me go and speak to the powerful people,for they will surely know the Lord’s wayand the justice of their God.But they too have broken their yokeand shattered the chains.
6. Therefore, a lion from the forest will attack them;a wolf from the desert will destroy them;a leopard prowling around their townswill tear to pieces anyone venturing out—because of their many crimesand countless acts of unfaithfulness.
7. How can I pardon you?Your children have forsaken meand swear by gods that are not gods.Although I could have satisfied them,they committed adultery,dashing off to the prostitution house.
8. They are lusty stallions roving about,snorting for another’s wife.
9. The Lord declares:Shouldn’t I confront these acts?Shouldn’t I take revenge on such a nation?
10. Climb through her vineyards and ravage them,although not completely.Prune back her branches,because they aren’t the Lord’s.
11. The people of Israel and Judahhave been utterly faithless to me,declares the Lord.
12. They have lied about the Lordand said, "He’ll do nothing!Disaster won’t come upon us;we won’t see war or famine."
13. The prophets are so much wind;the word isn’t in them.Thus and so may it be done to them.
14. Therefore, the Lord God of heavenly forces proclaims:Because you have spoken this way,I will put my wordsin your mouth as a fire;it will consume the people,who are but kindling.