19. In all the world, no one is more blind than my servant. No one is more deaf than my messenger. No one is more blind than my chosen people, the servant of the Lord.
20. My people see what they should do, but they do not obey me. They can hear with their ears, but they refuse to listen to me.”
21. The Lord wants them to do what is right. He wants them to honor his wonderful teachings.
22. But look at his people. Others have defeated them and have stolen from them. The young men are afraid. They are locked in prisons. People have taken advantage of them, and there is no one to protect them. Others take their money, and there is no one to say, “Give it back!”
23. Will any of you pay attention to this warning? Will you ever learn to listen?
24. Who let Jacob be defeated? Who let others take what belonged to Israel? The Lord allowed them to do this. We sinned against him, so he let people take away our wealth. The people did not want to live the way he wanted. They refused to listen to his teaching.