You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them . . ."
   "Who will feel sorry for you, Jerusalem? Who will be sad and cry for you? Who will go out of his way to ask how you are? Jerusalem, you have left Me," says the Lord. "You keep going farther and farther away. So I will take hold of you and destroy you. I am tired of holding back My anger."
   [Isaiah said:] "Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of God as well? Jerusalem, your rulers are like those of Sodom. Your people are like those of Gomorrah. Hear the word of the Lord. Listen to the teachings of our God!
  The Lord says, 'I do not want all these sacrifices you give Me. I have had enough of your sacrifices of male sheep and fat from fine animals. I am not pleased by the blood of bulls, sheep and goats. You come to meet with Me. But who asked you to do all this running in and out? Don't continue bringing Me worthless sacrifices! I hate the incense you burn. I can't stand your New Moons, Sabbaths and other feast days. I can't stand the evil you do in holding your holy meetings. I hate your New Moon feasts and your other yearly feasts. They have become like heavy weights on Me. I am tired of carrying them. You will raise your arms in prayer to Me. But I will refuse to look at you. Even if you say many prayers, I will not listen to you. It's because your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do [and] learn to do good. Be fair to other people. Punish those who hurt others. Help the orphans. Stand up for the rights of widows.' "
   Don't you realize how patient He is being with you? Can't you see that He has been waiting all this time without punishing you, to give you time to turn from your sin? His kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He Who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Taken from Mal. 2, Jer. 15, Isa. 7, 1, Rom. 2, Ps. 121, The New American Standard,
The Everyday Bible, The Living Bible and The New International Version.
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