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12 My instructions for sacrifices
were written in detail,
    but you ignored them.
13 You sacrifice your best animals
    and eat the sacrificial meals,[a]
but I, the Lord,
    refuse your offerings.
I will remember your sins
    and punish you.
Then you will return to Egypt.[b]

14 Israel, I created you,
    but you forgot me.
You and Judah built palaces
    and many strong cities.[c]
Now I will send fire to destroy
    your towns and fortresses.

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Footnotes

  1. 8.13 sacrifice … sacrificial meals: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. Two kinds of sacrifices are referred to: Those in which the whole animal is burned on the altar (“whole burnt offerings” in traditional translations) and those in which part is eaten by the worshipers (“fellowship offerings” in traditional translations).
  2. 8.13 return to Egypt: Either as slaves or to find help against Assyria.
  3. 8.14 built palaces … cities: They did this because they no longer trusted the Lord to protect them. “Palaces” may also mean “temples.”

12 I wrote for them the many things of my law,
    but they regarded them as something foreign.(A)
13 Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me,
    and though they eat(B) the meat,
    the Lord is not pleased with them.(C)
Now he will remember(D) their wickedness
    and punish their sins:(E)
    They will return to Egypt.(F)
14 Israel has forgotten(G) their Maker(H)
    and built palaces;
    Judah has fortified many towns.
But I will send fire on their cities
    that will consume their fortresses.”(I)

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