Then the LORD came down to look over the city and the tower that the men were building.

I will go down to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to Me. If not, I will find out."

The LORD also said to Moses: "I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.

Now leave Me alone, so that My anger can burn against them and I can destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."

"Listen, My people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel. I am God, your God.

Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen [it]." [This is] the LORD's declaration.

Your adulteries and your [lustful] neighings, your heinous prostitution on the hills, in the fields-- I have seen your detestable acts. Woe to you, Jerusalem! You are unclean-- for how long yet?

I have seen something horrible in the house of Israel: Ephraim's promiscuity is there; Israel is defiled.

"I will come to you in judgment, and I will be ready to witness against sorcerers and adulterers; against those who swear falsely; against those who oppress the widow and the fatherless, and cheat the wage earner; and against those who deny [justice to] the foreigner. They do not fear Me," says the LORD of Hosts.

Understand that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.

Therefore, circumcise your hearts and don't be stiff-necked any longer.

For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are rebelling against the LORD now, while I am still alive, how much more [will you rebel] after I am dead!

But they would not listen. Instead, they became obstinate like their ancestors who did not believe the LORD their God.