The Punishment of Israel

9The voice of the LORD calls out to the city

(and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name):

“Heed the rod

and the One who ordained it.

10Can I forget any longer,

O house of the wicked,

the treasures of wickedness

and the short ephah, which is accursed?

11Can I excuse dishonest scales

or bags of false weights?

12For the wealthy of the city

are full of violence,

and its residents speak lies;

their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.

13Therefore I am striking you severely,

to ruin you because of your sins.

14You will eat but not be satisfied,

and your hunger will remain with you.

What you acquire, you will not preserve;

and what you save, I will give to the sword.

15You will sow but not reap;

you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil;

you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.

16You have kept the statutes of Omri

and all the practices of Ahab’s house;

you have followed their counsel.

Therefore I will make you a desolation,

and your inhabitants an object of contempt;

you will bear the scorn of the nations.”