They are grown gross and fat: and have most wickedly transgressed my words. They have not judged the cause of the widow, they have not managed the cause of the fatherless, and they have not judged the judgment of the poor.
שָׁמְנ֣וּ עָשְׁת֗וּ גַּ֚ם עָֽבְר֣וּ דִבְרֵי־רָ֔ע דִּ֣ין לֹא־דָ֔נוּ דִּ֥ין יָת֖וֹם וְיַצְלִ֑יחוּ וּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט אֶבְיוֹנִ֖ים לֹ֥א שָׁפָֽטוּ׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The judgment of the Lord is not executed. Often, it is crucial to focus on justice, particularly when the aggrieved individual has a compelling reason for compassion—such as being an orphan or a widow. Who could be so heartless and unfeeling as to deny justice to someone in such a situation? Is it acceptable if they fail to show honor to the one they should have forgiven?
They have made themselves great and wealthy, becoming complacent and indulged, having disregarded my words in the most grievous manner. They have failed to pass judgment on legal matters, have not advocated for the orphan, nor have they defended the cause of the poor. Will I not bring judgment upon them, says the Lord, or will not my soul seek retribution against such a people? It would take considerable time to enumerate all that is omitted from the Septuagint. Those who create secret gatherings and take pleasure in the vulnerability of others have found enrichment and elevation through their actions. They have become hardened and self-indulgent, as it is stated, “But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked” (Deuteronomy 32:15).
They have ignored my teachings, as in their false sense of security in wealth, they have echoed the words from the Gospel: "O soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke 12:19). Yet, they have failed to realize the harm they inflict upon themselves and, in their disdain for humanity, have disregarded the judgment of God. They have looked down upon the orphan and the poor, while the Septuagint refers to widows, which is absent in the Hebrew text since “ebionim” means poor rather than widows. Furthermore, the question, "Will I not bring judgment upon them, says the Lord, and will not my soul seek retribution against such a people?" has already been stated previously.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS