²⁶ “Among my people are the wicked^(A)
    who lie in wait^(B) like men who snare birds
    and like those who set traps^(C) to catch people.
²⁷ Like cages full of birds,
    their houses are full of deceit;^(D)
they have become rich^(E) and powerful
²⁸     and have grown fat^(F) and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
    they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;^(G)
    they do not defend the just cause of the poor.^(H)
29 Should I not punish them for this?”
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge^(I) myself
    on such a nation as this?

“For three sins of Israel,
    even for four, I will not relent.^(A)
They sell the innocent for silver,
    and the needy for a pair of sandals.^(B)
7 They trample on the heads of the poor
    as on the dust of the ground
    and deny justice to the oppressed.
Father and son use the same girl
    and so profane my holy name.^(C)
8 They lie down beside every altar
    on garments taken in pledge.^(D)
In the house of their god
    they drink wine^(E) taken as fines.^(F)

⁹ Hear this, you leaders of Jacob,
    you rulers of Israel,
who despise justice
    and distort all that is right;^(A)
10 who build^(B) Zion with bloodshed,^(C)
    and Jerusalem with wickedness.^(D)
11 Her leaders judge for a bribe,^(E)
    her priests teach for a price,^(F)
    and her prophets tell fortunes for money.^(G)
Yet they look^(H) for the Lord’s support and say,
    “Is not the Lord among us?
    No disaster will come upon us.”^(I)
12 Therefore because of you,
    Zion will be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,^(J)
    the temple^(K) hill a mound overgrown with thickets.^(L)