I did not send those prophets. Yet they were in a hurry to give their message. I did not tell them anything. Yet they prophesied anyway.

ח (Khet) The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end.

I also gave them decrees which were not good and regulations by which they could not live.

Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lip or eat food brought by others.

“Yet your people say, ‘The behavior of the Lord is not right,’ when it is their behavior that is not right.

“‘They must not shave their heads nor let their hair grow long; they must only trim their heads.

They do not jostle one another; each of them marches straight ahead. They burst through the city defenses and do not break ranks.

Fast runners will find no place to hide; strong men will have no strength left; warriors will not be able to save their lives.

A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? The sovereign Lord has spoken! Who can refuse to prophesy?

Even if you offer me burnt and grain offerings, I will not be satisfied; I will not look with favor on your peace offerings of fattened calves.

‘Don’t preach with such impassioned rhetoric,’ they say excitedly. ‘These prophets should not preach of such things; we will not be overtaken by humiliation.’

“Since, I, the Lord, do not go back on my promises, you, sons of Jacob, have not perished.

But you must not eat meat with its life (that is, its blood) in it.

A foreigner and a hired worker must not eat it.

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

“You must not allow a sorceress to live.

“You must not afflict any widow or orphan.

and you must not show partiality to a poor man in his lawsuit.

“You must not turn away justice for your poor people in their lawsuits.

“You must make no covenant with them or with their gods.