Though his officials are in Zoan and his messengers arrive at Hanes,

I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying.

Bel kneels down, Nebo bends low. Their images weigh down animals and beasts. Your heavy images are burdensome to tired animals.

They will disappoint you, those you have so faithfully dealt with since your youth. Each strays off in his own direction, leaving no one to rescue you.”

Your chosen cities have become a desert; Zion has become a desert, Jerusalem is a desolate ruin.

Their residents are powerless; they are terrified and ashamed. They are as short-lived as plants in the field or green vegetation. They are as short-lived as grass on the rooftops when it is scorched by the east wind.

But these people are looted and plundered; all of them are trapped in pits and held captive in prisons. They were carried away as loot with no one to rescue them; they were carried away as plunder, and no one says, “Bring that back!”

Look, they are like straw, which the fire burns up; they cannot rescue themselves from the heat of the flames. There are no coals to warm them, no firelight to enjoy.

But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers.