21-24 “I can’t stand your religious meetings.
    I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
    your pretentious slogans and goals.
I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes,
    your public relations and image making.
I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
    When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
    I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
    That’s what I want. That’s all I want.

25-27 “Didn’t you, dear family of Israel, worship me faithfully for forty years in the wilderness, bringing the sacrifices and offerings I commanded? How is it you’ve stooped to dragging gimcrack statues of your so-called rulers around, hauling the cheap images of all your star-gods here and there? Since you like them so much, you can take them with you when I drive you into exile beyond Damascus.” God’s Message, God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message Outreach Edition, Large-Print, softcover
The Message Outreach Edition, Large-Print, softcover
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $4.29
Save: $5.70 (57%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message//REMIX - eBook
The Message//REMIX - eBook
Retail: $14.99
Our Price: $10.82
Save: $4.17 (28%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message, Large Print, Brown Trio Leather-Look
The Message, Large Print, Brown Trio Leather-Look
Retail: $64.99
Our Price: $41.79
Save: $23.20 (36%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan
Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $8.48
Save: $31.51 (79%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $4.74
Save: $35.25 (88%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Student Bible - eBook
The Message Student Bible - eBook
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $13.71
Save: $5.28 (28%)