The God of Justice Will Come: The fourth speech is closely related to the second (1:6–2:9) and the sixth (3:13–4:3). The opening accusation resembles the charge of “harsh” words in 3:13, and the people’s queries about God’s justice are also similar (cf. 2:17 and 3:15). Their words parallel the priests’ failure of discernment—crippled and diseased animals are acceptable as offerings (1:6) and “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD” (2:17). The second (1:6–2:9) and fourth speeches both deal with the priests; the second by means of admonition for the present (2:1–9) and the fourth by a promise of purification in the coming day of judgment (3:3–4).

2:17 This address begins immediately with an accusation by the prophet, You have wearied the LORD with your words, followed by a quotatio…