The Lord’s Covenant Lawsuit against the Nation Israel

4:1 Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites!1

For the Lord has a covenant lawsuit2 against the people of Israel.3

For there is neither faithfulness nor loyalty in the land,

nor do they acknowledge God.4

4:2 There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery.

They resort to violence and bloodshed.5

4:3 Therefore the land will mourn,

and all its inhabitants will perish.6

The wild animals,7 the birds of the sky,

and even the fish in the sea will perish.