Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which they had built,

I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true."

I know how stubborn these people are.

Now, don't try to stop me. I am angry with them, and I am going to destroy them. Then I will make you and your descendants into a great nation."

"Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel. I am God, your God.

Do you think that my Temple is a hiding place for robbers? I have seen what you are doing.

He has seen you do the things he hates. He has seen you go after pagan gods on the hills and in the fields, like a man lusting after his neighbor's wife or like a stallion after a mare. People of Jerusalem, you are doomed! When will you ever be pure?

I have seen a horrible thing in Israel: my people have defiled themselves by worshiping idols.

The LORD Almighty says, "I will appear among you to judge, and I will testify at once against those who practice magic, against adulterers, against those who give false testimony, those who cheat employees out of their wages, and those who take advantage of widows, orphans, and foreigners---against all who do not respect me.

You can be sure that the LORD is not giving you this fertile land because you deserve it. No, you are a stubborn people.

So then, from now on be obedient to the LORD and stop being stubborn.

I know how stubborn and rebellious they are. They have rebelled against the LORD during my lifetime, and they will rebel even more after I am dead.

But they would not obey; they were stubborn like their ancestors, who had not trusted in the LORD their God.