“‘ Suppose someone has been called as a witness to something they have seen or learned about. Then if they do not tell what they know, they have sinned. And they will be held responsible for it.
When you see a thief, you join him. You make friends with those who commit adultery.You use your mouth to speak evil. You use your tongue to spread lies.You are a witness against your brother. You always tell lies about your own mother’s son.When you did these things, I kept silent. So you thought I was just like you. But now I’m going to bring you to court. I will bring charges against you.“ You who forget God, think about this. If you don’t, I will tear you to pieces. No one will be able to save you.
Then he taught them. He told them,“ It is written that the Lord said,‘ My house will be called a house where people from all nations can pray.’( Isaiah 56:7) But you have made it a‘ den for robbers.’ ”( Jeremiah 7:11)
They might say,“ Come along with us. Let’s hide and wait to kill someone who hasn’t done anything wrong. Let’s catch some harmless person in our trap.Let’s swallow them alive, as the grave does. Let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down into the pit.We’ll get all kinds of valuable things. We’ll fill our houses with what we steal.Cast lots with us for what they own. We’ll share everything we take from them.”My son, don’t go along with them. Don’t even set your feet on their paths.They are always in a hurry to sin. They are quick to spill someone’s blood.How useless it is to spread a net where every bird can see it!Those who hide and wait will spill their own blood. They will be caught in their own trap.That’s what happens to everyone who goes after money in the wrong way. That kind of money takes away the life of those who get it.
Your rulers refuse to obey the Lord. They join forces with robbers. All of them love to accept money from those who want special favors. They are always looking for gifts from other people. They don’t stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. They don’t do it for widows either.
He said to his mother,“ Someone took 28 pounds of silver from you. I heard you curse the one who took it. I have the silver with me. I’m the one who took it.” Then his mother said,“ My son, may the Lord bless you!”
