שו"ת בעבודת אלוקים (תנ"ך מפורש!)

(13) The prophet presents another dialogue between the people and God: Your words have been harsh against Me, said the Lord; but you say: How have we spoken harshly against you? (14)You said, perhaps not directly or in the form of public protest, but in conversation with friends, or when grumbling in the privacy of your home: It is vain to worship God, and what is the profit in our having kept His commission and fulfilling His commandments, and in our having walked in the dark because of the Lord of hosts? They meant that they walked as if hunched over in darkness, restrained under the enormous burden of God’s commandments, and questioned what they gained from it all. (15)Now weultimately find that wepraise and strengthen criminals, as we see that the wicked are successful and joyful; also, the wicked are built up with children. They alsotest God with their sins and escape punishment. These are the harsh comments that the Jewish people spoke against God. (16) However, then those who fear the Lord spoke one to another and the Lord listened and heeded. Even when the faithful servants of God feel that the world is bearing down upon them, they do not complain; rather, they offer mutual words of encouragement. Indeed, their statements are not in vain, asGod hears their quiet conversations about fearing Him and what that entails. A book of remembrance was written before Him containing this dialogue for those who fear the Lord, and those who think of His name and His ways. Although they thought that their statements and efforts had no effect, they were reminded here that God hears everything and preserves it all. Likewise, God would respond to their harsh complaints that they expressed when they saw the righteous morose, and the wicked joyful. (17)They, those who feared Me, will be Mine, said the Lord of hosts, on the day that I make a distinguished one. When that special day of judgment and redemption arrives, I promise that I shall protect them. I will have compassion on them just as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. On that day, it will become clear how close such people are to Me, as close as loving children who wish to please their father. (18) When the Day of Judgment arrives, you will return and see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. These differences, which are not readily apparent at the current time, will one day be publicly revealed.