I know what spiteful thoughts you have.

You ask, "Where are the homes of great people now, those who practiced evil?"

To make a brother repay you the money he owed, you took away his clothes and left him nothing to wear.

People move property lines to get more land; they steal sheep and put them with their own flocks.

They prevent the poor from getting their rights and force the needy to run and hide.

They have to harvest fields they don't own, and gather grapes in vineyards of the wicked.

They are drenched by the rain that falls on the mountains, and they huddle beside the rocks for shelter.

But the poor must go out with no clothes to protect them; they must go hungry while harvesting wheat.

In the cities the wounded and dying cry out, but God ignores their prayers.

When any of my servants complained against me, I would listen and treat them fairly.

The same God who created me created my servants also.

or let orphans go hungry while I ate.

When I found someone in need, too poor to buy clothes,

If I have ever cheated an orphan, knowing I could win in court,

When people are oppressed, they groan; they cry for someone to save them.

Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, accuse me now in the presence of the LORD and the king he has chosen. Have I taken anybody's cow or anybody's donkey? Have I cheated or oppressed anyone? Have I accepted a bribe from anyone? If I have done any of these things, I will pay back what I have taken."

The people answered, "No, you have not cheated us or oppressed us; you have not taken anything from anyone."

You will hear the cries of the oppressed and the orphans; you will judge in their favor, so that mortal men may cause terror no more.

"But now I will come," says the LORD, "because the needy are oppressed and the persecuted groan in pain. I will give them the security they long for."

If you oppress poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.

Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.

The LORD will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.

Then I looked again at all the injustice that goes on in this world. The oppressed were crying, and no one would help them. No one would help them, because their oppressors had power on their side.

Don't be surprised when you see that the government oppresses the poor and denies them justice and their rights. Every official is protected by someone higher, and both are protected by still higher officials.

The wealthy cheat and rob. They mistreat the poor and take advantage of foreigners.

Listen to this, you women of Samaria, who grow fat like the well-fed cows of Bashan, who mistreat the weak, oppress the poor, and demand that your husbands keep you supplied with liquor!

You will be dragged to the nearest break in the wall and thrown out."

But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich!

For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.

You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty.

A foreign nation will take all the crops that you have worked so hard to grow, while you receive nothing but constant oppression and harsh treatment.

The Lord knows when our spirits are crushed in prison;

Now anyone may live in their tents--- after sulfur is sprinkled to disinfect them!

People move property lines to get more land; they steal sheep and put them with their own flocks.

Tell him that I, the LORD, say to him, 'After murdering the man, are you taking over his property as well?' Tell him that this is what I say: 'In the very place that the dogs licked up Naboth's blood they will lick up your blood!' "

Israel is the vineyard of the LORD Almighty; the people of Judah are the vines he planted. He expected them to do what was good, but instead they committed murder. He expected them to do what was right, but their victims cried out for justice.

You are doomed! You buy more houses and fields to add to those you already have. Soon there will be no place for anyone else to live, and you alone will live in the land.

When they want fields, they seize them; when they want houses, they take them. No one's family or property is safe.

You drive the women of my people out of the homes they love, and you have robbed their children of my blessings forever.