They stalk and lurk; they watch my every step, as they prepare to take my life.

They wander around looking for something to eat; they refuse to sleep until they are full.

O Lord our God, you answered them. They found you to be a forgiving God, but also one who punished their sinful deeds.

They will perish, but you will endure. They will wear out like a garment; like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear.

as the mountains rose up, and the valleys went down – to the place you appointed for them.

and ears, but cannot hear. Indeed, they cannot breathe.

Everything looks to you in anticipation, and you provide them with food on a regular basis.

“How long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.

So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

Turn your eyes away from me – they overwhelm me! Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead.

Egypt is totally incapable of helping. For this reason I call her ‘Proud one who is silenced.’”

They will be called, “The Holy People, the Ones Protected by the Lord.” You will be called, “Sought After, City Not Abandoned.”

But they rebelled and offended his holy Spirit, so he turned into an enemy and fought against them.

Before they even call out, I will respond; while they are still speaking, I will hear.

Has a nation ever changed its gods (even though they are not really gods at all)? But my people have exchanged me, their glorious God, for a god that cannot help them at all!

The Lord commanded the enemy, “March through the vineyards of Israel and Judah and ruin them. But do not destroy them completely. Strip off their branches for these people do not belong to the Lord.

Yet even then I will not completely destroy you,” says the Lord.

I reported, “All of them are the most stubborn of rebels! They are as hard as bronze or iron. They go about telling lies. They all deal corruptly.