Ezekiel 22:23–29

²³Again the word of the Lord came to me: ²⁴“Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’^{z 25}There is a conspiracy^a of her princes^b within her like a roaring lion^b tearing its prey; they devour people,^c take treasures and precious things and make many widows^d within her. ²⁶Her priests do violence to my law^e and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common;^f they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean;^g and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned^h among them.^{i 27}Her officials^j within her are like wolves^k tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people^l to make unjust gain.^{m 28}Her prophets whitewashⁿ these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations.^o They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken.^{p 29}The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery;^q they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner,^r denying them justice.^s