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16 [a]But to the wicked God says:
    “How can you recite my statutes
    or profess my covenant on your lips?
17 For you loathe my instruction
    and cast my words behind you.
18 “When you meet a thief, you join him;
    you revel in the company of adulterers.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 50:16 Another type of formalism is to have religion or the law on one’s lips more than in one’s heart and life. There is no authentic faith unless it includes a moral commitment and notably that of justice and respect toward others: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my heavenly Father” (Mt 7:21).

16 But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws
    or take my covenant(A) on your lips?(B)
17 You hate(C) my instruction
    and cast my words behind(D) you.
18 When you see a thief, you join(E) with him;
    you throw in your lot with adulterers.(F)

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