13 (A)“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. (B)But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, (C)‘It is vain to serve God. (D)What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call (E)the arrogant blessed. (F)Evildoers not only prosper but (G)they put God to the test and they escape.’”

The Book of Remembrance

16 Then those who feared the Lord (H)spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and (I)a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, (J)in the day when I make up (K)my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall (L)see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

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Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God

13 “You have spoken arrogantly(A) against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask,(B) ‘What have we said against you?’

14 “You have said, ‘It is futile(C) to serve(D) God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements(E) and going about like mourners(F) before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant(G) blessed. Certainly evildoers(H) prosper,(I) and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

The Faithful Remnant

16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.(J) A scroll(K) of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared(L) the Lord and honored his name.

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my(M) treasured possession.(N) I will spare(O) them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son(P) who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous(Q) and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.(R)

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