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12 For I know how many are your transgressions
    and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe
    and push aside the needy in the gate.(A)
13 Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time,
    for it is an evil time.

14 Seek good and not evil,
    that you may live,
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
    just as you have said.(B)
15 Hate evil and love good,
    and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
    will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.(C)

16 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:
In all the squares there shall be wailing,
    and in all the streets they shall say, “Alas! Alas!”
They shall call the farmers to mourning
    and those skilled in lamentation to wailing;(D)
17 in all the vineyards there shall be wailing,
    for I will pass through the midst of you,
            says the Lord.(E)

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