1You people [MTY] of Israel, listen to this funeral song that I will sing about you:
2“You are like [MET] a young woman,
3This is what Yahweh the Lord says to the people [MTY] of Israel:
4Yahweh continues to say to the people [MTY] of Israel:
5Do not go to Bethel to seek my help;
6So, come to Yahweh;
7You people distort what is fair/right and cause people to think that it is something that is very bitter;
8Do you know who created all the groups of stars
9He causes strong soldiers to be killed,
10He is the one who will punish you
11You oppress poor people and force them to pay big taxes.
12I know all of your sins
13This is a time when many people do evil things,
14In order to remain alive,
15Love what is good, and hate what is evil!
16“Because I, Yahweh, will punish you for your sins, this is what I have solemnly declared:
17People will be wailing in your vineyards,
18Terrible things will happen to you who desire that it will soon be the day when Yahweh will punish your enemies,
19At that time, when you try to run from a lion,
20That day, when he punishes people, will certainly be [RHQ] a very dark day [MET],
21Yahweh says, “I hate your religious celebrations
22Even if you bring me offerings that will be completely burned on the altar and offerings of grain,
23So, stop singing noisy/loud songs!
24Instead, your continually acting justly/fairly and righteously should be never stop,
25You Israeli people [MTY], your ancestors wandered through the desert for 40 years;
26But they carried the two idols that they had made—
27Therefore, now I will force you to go to a country that is far beyond Damascus!