Because of this, our hearts are sick; ¹  because of these things, we can hardly see ²  through our tears. ³ 

Brothers and sisters, ¹  my heart’s desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites ²  is for their salvation.

However, the high places were not eliminated; the people were still not devoted to the God of their ancestors. ¹ 

May the evil deeds of the wicked ¹  come to an end! ²  But make the innocent ³  secure, ⁴  O righteous God, you who examine ⁵  inner thoughts and motives! ⁶ 

I will do this in order to capture the hearts of the house of Israel, who have alienated themselves from me on account of all their idols.’

Destruction, devastation, and desolation! ¹  Their hearts faint, ²  their knees tremble, ³  each stomach churns, ⁴  each face ⁵  turns ⁶  pale! ⁷ 

While the people were filled with anticipation ¹  and they all wondered ²  whether perhaps John ³  could be the Christ, ⁴ 

They ¹  said to each other, “Didn’t ²  our hearts ³  burn within us ⁴  while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining ⁵  the scriptures to us?”

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances ¹  and that he may encourage your hearts.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.

yet he did not leave himself without a witness by doing good, ¹  by giving you rain from heaven ²  and fruitful seasons, satisfying you ³  with food and your hearts with joy.” ⁴ 

Moreover, ¹  we ²  possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. ³  You do well if you pay attention ⁴  to this ⁵  as you would ⁶  to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star ⁷  rises in your hearts. ⁸ 

Their swords will pierce ¹  their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

They were not really committed to him, ¹  and they were unfaithful to his covenant.

The lips of the wise spread ¹  knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. ² 

for their hearts contemplate violence, and their lips speak harm. ¹ 

This is the unfortunate fact ¹  about everything that happens on earth: ²  the same fate awaits ³  everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people ⁴  are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives – then they die. ⁵ 

Give them a distraught heart; ¹  may your curse be on them!

Instead your hearts are filled with sadness ¹  because I have said these things to you.

Instead they have followed the stubborn inclinations of their own hearts. They have paid allegiance to ¹  the gods called Baal, ²  as their fathers ³  taught them to do.