22. Even if you washed with the strongest soap,I would still see the stain of your guilt.
23. How can you say you have not defiled yourself,that you have never worshipped Baal?Look how you sinned in the valley;see what you have done.You are like a wild camel on heat,running about loose,
24. rushing into the desert.When she is on heat, who can control her?No male that wants her has to trouble himself;she is always available at mating time.
25. Israel, don't wear your feet out,or let your throat become dryfrom chasing after other gods.But you say, ‘No! I can't turn back.I have loved foreign godsand will go after them.’ ”
26. The Lord says, “Just as a thief is disgraced when caught, so all you people of Israel will be disgraced — your kings and officials, your priests and prophets.
27. You will all be disgraced — you that say that a tree is your father and that a rock is your mother. This will happen because you turned away from me instead of turning to me. But when you are in trouble, you ask me to come and save you.
28. “Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? When you are in trouble, let them save you — if they can! Judah, you have as many gods as you have cities.
29. What is your complaint? Why have you rebelled against me?
30. I punished you, but it did no good; you would not let me correct you. Like a raging lion, you have murdered your prophets.
31. People of Israel, listen to what I am saying. Have I been like a desert to you, like a dark and dangerous land? Why, then, do you say that you will do as you please, that you will never come back to me?
32. Does a young woman forget her jewellery, or a bride her wedding dress? But my people have forgotten me for more days than can be counted.
33. You certainly know how to chase after lovers. Even the worst of women can learn from you.
34. Your clothes are stained with the blood of the poor and innocent, not with the blood of burglars.“But in spite of all this,
35. you say, ‘I am innocent; surely the Lord is no longer angry with me.’ But I, the Lord, will punish you because you deny that you have sinned.
36. You have cheapened yourself by turning to the gods of other nations. You will be disappointed by Egypt, just as you were by Assyria.
37. You will turn away from Egypt, hanging your head in shame. I, the Lord, have rejected those you trust; you will not gain anything from them.”