“The Lord says,’I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for Me.’ I said,’Her I am, here I am! to a nation that did not call on My name. All day long I opened My arms to a rebellious people. But they followed their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes. All day long they insult Me to My face by worshiping idols in their sacred gardens.'” (vv. 1-3, NLT)
“‘For when I called, you did not answer. When I spoke, you did not listen. You deliberately sinned – before My very eyes – and chose to to what you know I despise. Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
My servants will eat, but you will starve. My servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. My servants will rejoice, but you will be sad and ashamed. My servants will sing for joy, but you will cry in sorrow and despair. Your name will be a curse word among My people, for the Sovereign Lord will destroy you and will call His true vine servants by another name.
And all who invoke a blessing or take an oath will do so buy the God of truth. For I will put aside My anger and forget the evil of earlier days.'” (vv. 12B-16, NLT)