transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning {away from following} our God; speaking oppression and falsehood, conceiving and uttering words of deception from [the] heart.

Thus says Yahweh, "Cursed [is] the person who trusts in humankind and makes flesh his {strength}, and turns aside his heart from Yahweh.

{But} the Levites who removed themselves from me {at the going astray of Israel}, who went astray from me [and went] after their idols, as a result they will bear their guilt.

we have sinned and we have done wrong and we acted wickedly and we rebelled and [have been] turning aside from your commandments and from your ordinances.

Watch out, brothers, lest there be in some of you an evil, unbelieving heart, [with the result that you] fall away from the living God.

Ye have caused

"And in turn I have made you despised and humbled before all the people, inasmuch as you [are] not keeping my way, but are {favoring your own instruction}."

So the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of Yahweh, because the men treated the offering of Yahweh with contempt.

And the leaders of this people were misleading [them], and those who were led [were] confused.

But my people have forgotten me. They make smoke offerings to the idols, and they caused them to stumble in their ways, [the] ancient ways, to go [into] {bypaths}, not [one that] is built up.

"For both prophet as well as priest are godless, even in my temple I have found their wickedness," {declares} Yahweh.

"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat {a meal}."

And one of the legal experts answered [and] said to him, "Teacher, [when you] say these [things], you insult us also!"

and are confident [that] you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness,

[It is] good not to eat meat or to drink wine or [to do anything] by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is weakened.

Ye have corrupted

"My covenant with him was [one of] life and peace, and I gave them to him. [This required] reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe {before} my name.

And he shall not profane his offspring among his people, because I [am] Yahweh, who consecrates him.'"

Remember them, my God, because of their defilements of the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

General references

And {the Levites shall declare}, and they shall say to each man of Israel [with] a loud voice,

And they will teach my people [the difference] between what is holy and what is unholy, and [the difference] between unclean and clean they must show them.