Idolatrous Elders Punished

14 Some of the elders of Israel came^(A) to me and sat down in front of me.^{(B) 2} Then the word of the Lord came to me: ³ “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and have put their sinful stumbling blocks in front of themselves.^(C) Should I actually let them inquire of me?^(D)

⁴ “Therefore, speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: When anyone from the house of Israel sets up idols in his heart and puts his sinful stumbling block in front of himself, and then comes to the prophet, I, the Lord, will answer him appropriately.^[a] I will answer him according to his many idols, ⁵ so that I may take hold of the house of Israel by their hearts. They are all estranged from me because of their idols.’