10-12 People hate this kind of talk.
    Raw truth is never popular.
But here it is, bluntly spoken:
    Because you run roughshod over the poor
    and take the bread right out of their mouths,
You’re never going to move into
    the luxury homes you have built.
You’re never going to drink wine
    from the expensive vineyards you’ve planted.
I know precisely the extent of your violations,
    the enormity of your sins. Appalling!
You bully right-living people,
    taking bribes right and left and kicking the poor when they’re down.

13 Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic.
    Decent people throw up their hands.
Protest and rebuke are useless,
    a waste of breath.

14 Seek good and not evil—
    and live!
You talk about God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
    being your best friend.
Well, live like it,
    and maybe it will happen.

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12 For I know how many are your offenses
    and how great your sins.(A)

There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes(B)
    and deprive the poor(C) of justice in the courts.(D)
13 Therefore the prudent keep quiet(E) in such times,
    for the times are evil.(F)

14 Seek good, not evil,
    that you may live.(G)
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
    just as you say he is.

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