You have even failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields. Their pay is crying out against you. The cries of those who gathered the harvest have reached the ears of the Lord. He rules over all.
The Lord said,“ I have seen how my people are suffering in Egypt. I have heard them cry out because of their slave drivers. I am concerned about their suffering.
The Lord says,“ The poor are being robbed. Those who are in need groan. So I will stand up to help them. I will keep them safe from those who tell lies about them.”
That’s because I saved poor people who cried out for help. I saved helpless children whose fathers had died.Those who were dying gave me their blessing. I made the hearts of widows sing.
If you do, they might cry out to me. I will certainly hear them.And I will get angry. I will kill you with a sword. Your wives will become widows. Your children’s fathers will die.“ Suppose you lend money to one of my people among you who is in need. Then do not treat it like a business deal. Do not charge any interest at all.Suppose your neighbor owes you money and gives you a coat as a promise to pay it back. Then return it by sunset.That coat is the only thing your neighbor owns to wear or sleep in. When they cry out to me, I will listen, because I am loving and kind.
But you sent widows away without anything. You mistreated children whose fathers had died.That’s why traps have been set all around you. That’s why sudden danger terrifies you.
The vineyard of the Lord who rules over all is the nation of Israel. The people of Judah are the vines he took delight in. He kept looking for them to do what is fair. But all he saw was blood being spilled. He kept looking for them to do what is right. But all he heard were cries of suffering.
The groans of those who are dying are heard from the city. Those who are wounded cry out for help. But God doesn’t charge anyone with doing what is wrong.
After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The people of Israel groaned because they were slaves. They also cried out to God. Their cry for help went up to him.God heard their groans. He remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Suppose I’ve seen people dying because they didn’t have enough clothes. I’ve seen needy people who didn’t have enough to keep warm.And they didn’t give me their blessing when I warmed them with wool from my sheep.