THEOSISJerome of Stridon
In their abundance, they have transgressed against Me; I shall diminish their splendor into shame. They will consume the sins of My people, and their wickedness will stir their souls. What happens to the people will also happen to the priest, for I will discipline him according to his actions and will repay him based on his intentions. LXX: In their multiplication they have sinned against Me; their honor I will turn into dishonor. They will devour the transgressions of My people, and through their unrighteousness others will seize their souls. What will befall the people will befall the priest, as I will correct him in accordance with his conduct and reward him based on his thoughts. Israel had many people and built numerous altars to idols, through sacrifices that provoked Me to anger.
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Thus, their honor, which they erected for self-praise, preferring idols over God, will become shame, leading both the priests and the people into captivity. For the priests consume the sins of My people, as it is written, "They that eat up My people into a meal of bread" (Psalm 13:4). They consume the sins of My people in collusion with the offenders, for when they witness sin, they not only fail to admonish but rather commend and elevate them as righteous. As the prophet Isaiah states, "My people, you who are blessed are flattered, and the paths of your feet are troubled" (Isaiah 3:12). Additionally, the Psalmist notes: "The sinful man is praised in the lusts of his soul, and he who offends is blessed" (Psalm 9:24). Consequently, the people and the priest will together face the judgment of a wrathful God; He will punish them not only for their actions, known as the ways they walk, but also for their thoughts that led to those actions. The punishment will encompass both the deed and the intention behind it. This is particularly evident in relation to heretics. The greater their numbers, the more they sin against God while lauding themselves among the nations, deceiving the desperate by consuming the sins of the people, and fabricating pleasing speeches that seem to justify wrongdoing (Luke 20:47). They assert that God only desires true faith, and as long as one possesses it, He does not concern Himself with their actions. In doing so, they incite their souls into wickedness, leading them not only to neglect repentance and humility but to rejoice in their sins and walk with pride. Therefore, both the people and the priests, those who were instructed and those who instructed, will be subject to the same judgment.