1. Hear the word of the Lord, Israelites,for the Lord has a disputewith the inhabitants of the land:There is no fidelity, no loyalty,no knowledge of God in the land.
2. Swearing, lying, murder,stealing and adultery break out;bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3. Therefore the land dries up,and everything that dwells in it languishes:The beasts of the field,the birds of the air,and even the fish of the sea perish.
4. But let no one accuse, let no one rebuke;with you is my dispute, priest!
5. You will stumble in the day,and the prophet will stumble with you at night;I will make an end of your mother.
6. My people are ruined for lack of knowledge!Since you have rejected knowledge,I will reject you from serving as my priest;Since you have forgotten the law of your God,I will also forget your children.