Ezekiel 22:6-8, 25-29

“ ‘Behold! The leaders of Israel within your walls, one and all, have selfishly abused their power to shed blood. They have despised their fathers and mothers, cheated the foreigners who live within your walls, and mistreated the widow and orphan. All that I call holy, you have treated with contempt. You have dishonored my Sabbaths.

Your prophets plot conspiracies as lions stalk their prey. They have devoured the people, enriched themselves by seizing their wealth and jewels, and left behind many widows. Her priests have violated my law and have no respect for what is holy. They have made no distinction between what is holy and what is common. They have not taught people the difference between clean and unclean; they ignore my Sabbaths, and I have been defiled among them. Within the land are leaders who are like a pack of wolves who rip apart their prey, shed blood, and kill people to get money dishonestly. Her false prophets have plastered over these things with their empty visions and false prophecies, saying: “YAHWEH says this,” even though I, YAHWEH, have not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and robbery! They have oppressed the poor and needy and mistreated the foreigner among them who have no way of getting justice.’ ”