²³ Again the word of the Lord came to me: ²⁴ “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’^{(A) 25} There is a conspiracy^(B) of her princes^[a] within her like a roaring lion^(C) tearing its prey; they devour people,^(D) take treasures and precious things and make many widows^(E) within her. ²⁶ Her priests do violence to my law^(F) and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common;^(G) they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean;^(H) and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned^(I) among them.^{(J) 27} Her officials^(K) within her are like wolves^(L) tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people^(M) to make unjust gain.^{(N) 28} Her prophets whitewash^(O) these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations.^(P) They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken.^{(Q) 29} The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery;^(R) they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner,^(S) denying them justice.^(T)

³⁰ “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall^(U) and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.^{(V) 31} So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger,^(W) bringing down^(X) on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(Y)”