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Israel’s Sin Brings Suffering

I’m suffering very much!
    I’m like someone who gathers summer fruit in a vineyard
    after the good fruit has already been picked.
No grapes are left to eat.
    None of the early figs I long for remain.
Faithful people have disappeared from the land.
    Those who are honest are gone.
Everyone hides and waits
    to spill the blood of others.
    They use nets to try and trap one another.
They are very good at doing what is evil.
    Rulers require gifts.
Judges accept money from people
    who want special favors.
Those who are powerful
    always get what they want.
    All of them make evil plans together.

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Israel’s Misery

What misery is mine!
I am like one who gathers summer fruit
    at the gleaning of the vineyard;
there is no cluster of grapes to eat,
    none of the early figs(A) that I crave.
The faithful have been swept from the land;(B)
    not one(C) upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait(D) to shed blood;(E)
    they hunt each other(F) with nets.(G)
Both hands are skilled in doing evil;(H)
    the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,(I)
    the powerful dictate what they desire—
    they all conspire together.

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