[1] The Lord, the God of gods has spoken. He calls to all the people on earth, from the rising to the setting sun.
[2] God shining from Zion is absolutely beautiful!
[3] Our God is coming, and he will not keep quiet. Fire burns in front of him. There is a great storm around him.
[4] Our God calls to the earth and sky to ˻be witnesses as he˼ judges his people.
[5] ˻God says,˼ ”My followers, gather around me. Come my worshipers, we made an agreement with each other.”
[6] God is the judge, and the skies tell about his goodness.
[7] God says, ”My people, listen to me! People of Israel, I will show my evidence against you. I am God, your God.
[8] I am not complaining about your sacrifices. You people of Israel bring me your burnt offerings all the time. You give them to me every day.
[9] I will not take bulls from your house. I will not take goats from your stalls.
[10] I don’t need those animals. I already own all the animals in the forest. I already own all the animals on thousands of mountains.
[11] I know every bird on the highest mountain. Every moving thing in the hills are mine.
[12] ˻I am not hungry!˼ But if I were hungry, I would not have to ask you for food. I already own the world and everything on it.
[13] I don’t eat meat from bulls. I don’t drink blood from goats.”
[14] So bring your thank offerings ˻to share with the other worshipers˼ and come to be with God. You made promises to God Most High, so give him the things you promised.
[15] ˻God says,˼ ”Call for me when you have troubles! I will help you. And then you can honor me.”
[16] God says to wicked people, ”You people talk about my laws. You talk about my Agreement.
[17] So why do you hate it when I correct you? Why do you ignore the things I say?
[18] You see a thief, and you run to join him. You jump into bed with people doing the sin of adultery.
[19] You people say bad things and tell lies.
[20] You constantly say bad things about other people, even your own brothers.
[21] You did these bad things, and I said nothing. So you thought that I was just like you. Well, I won’t be quiet any longer! I will make it very clear to you, and I will criticize you to your face!
[22] You people have forgotten God. So you had better understand before I tear you apart! If that happens, no person can save you!
[23] So if a person gives a thank offering, then he shows me honor. But if a person lives right, then I will show him my power to save.”