3:5 This is what the Lord says: “The prophets who mislead my people
are as good as dead. 1
If someone gives them enough to eat,
they offer an oracle of peace. 2
But if someone does not give them food,
they are ready to declare war on him. 3
7:9 I must endure 4 the Lord’s anger,
for I have sinned against him.
But then 5 he will defend my cause, 6
and accomplish justice on my behalf.
He will lead me out into the light;
I will experience firsthand 7 his deliverance. 8
1 tn Heb “concerning the prophets, those who mislead my people.” The first person pronominal suffix is awkward in a quotation formula that introduces the words of the
2 tn Heb “those who bite with their teeth and cry out, ‘peace.’” The phrase “bite with the teeth” is taken here as idiomatic for eating. Apparently these prophets were driven by mercenary motives. If they were paid well, they gave positive oracles to their clients, but if someone could not afford to pay them, they were hostile and delivered oracles of doom.
3 tn Heb “but [as for the one] who does not place [food] in their mouths, they prepare for war against him.”
4 tn Heb “lift, bear.”
5 tn Heb “until.”
6 tn Or “plead my case” (NASB and NIV both similar); NRSV “until he takes my side.”
7 tn Heb “see.”
8 tn Or “justice, vindication.”