³This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Change the way you live and act, and I will let you live in this place. ⁴Do not trust the words of this saying, “This is the Lord’s temple, the Lord’s temple, the Lord’s temple!” It’s a lie.

⁵“ ‘Suppose you really change the way you live and act and you really treat each other fairly. ⁶Suppose you do not oppress foreigners, orphans, and widows, or kill anyone in this place. And suppose you do not follow other gods that lead you to your own destruction. ⁷Then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave permanently to your ancestors long ago.

⁸“ ‘You are trusting the words of a saying. It’s a lie that cannot help you. ⁹You steal, murder, commit adultery, lie when you take oaths, burn incense as an offering to Baal, and run after other gods that you do not know. ¹⁰Then you stand in my presence in the house that is called by my name. You think that you’re safe to do all these disgusting things. ¹¹The house that is called by my name has become a gathering place for thieves. I have seen what you are doing,’ ” declares the Lord.

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