18. Some of you want to see the Lord’S special day of judgment. Why do you want to see that day of the Lord? His special day will bring darkness, not light.
19. You will be like someone who escapes from a lion only to be attacked by a bear, or like someone who goes into the safety of his house, leans against the wall, and is bitten by a snake.
20. The Lord’S special day will be a day of darkness, not light—a day of gloom, without a ray of light.
21. “I hate your festivals; I will not accept them. I don’t enjoy your religious meetings.
22. Even if you offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. I will not even look at the fat animals you give as fellowship offerings.
23. Take your noisy songs away from here. I will not listen to the music from your harps.
24. But let justice flow like a river, and let goodness flow like a stream that never becomes dry.
25. Israel, you offered me sacrifices and offerings in the desert for 40 years.