The earth is defiled by its inhabitants, for they have violated laws, disregarded the regulation, and broken the permanent treaty.

Those who enact unjust policies are as good as dead, those who are always instituting unfair regulations,

The father of your nation sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me.

Yes, as your judgments unfold, O Lord, we wait for you. We desire your fame and reputation to grow.

The sovereign master says, “These people say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but they are not really loyal to me. Their worship consists of nothing but man-made ritual.

They seek me day after day; they want to know my requirements, like a nation that does what is right and does not reject the law of their God. They ask me for just decrees; they want to be near God.