118 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
118 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
Israel Harvests the Whirlwind
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# Chapter 8
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1. "Sound the alarm!
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The enemy descends like an eagle on the people of the LORD,
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for they have broken my covenant
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and revolted against my law.
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2. Now Israel pleads with me,
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'
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Help us, for you are our God!'
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3. But it is too late.
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The people of Israel have rejected what is good,
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and now their enemies will chase after them.
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4. The people have appointed kings without my consent,
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and princes without my approval.
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By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold,
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they have brought about their own destruction.
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5. "O Samaria, I reject this calf--
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this idol you have made.
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My fury burns against you.
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How long will you be incapable of innocence?
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6. This calf you worship, O Israel,
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was crafted by your own hands!
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It is not God!
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Therefore, it must be smashed to bits.
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7. "They have planted the wind
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and will harvest the whirlwind.
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The stalks of grain wither
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and produce nothing to eat.
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And even if there is any grain,
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foreigners will eat it.
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8. The people of Israel have been swallowed up;
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they lie among the nations like an old discarded pot.
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9. Like a wild donkey looking for a mate,
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they have gone up to Assyria.
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The people of Israel have sold themselves--
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sold themselves to many lovers.
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10. But though they have sold themselves to many allies,
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I will now gather them together for judgment.
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Then they will writhe
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under the burden of the great king.
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11. "Israel has built many altars to take away sin,
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but these very altars became places for sinning!
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12. Even though I gave them all my laws,
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they act as if those laws don't apply to them.
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13. The people love to offer sacrifices to me,
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feasting on the meat,
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but I do not accept their sacrifices.
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I will hold my people accountable for their sins,
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and I will punish them.
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They will return to Egypt.
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14. Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces,
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and Judah has fortified its cities.
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Therefore, I will send down fire on their cities
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and will burn up their fortresses."
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