22. Even if you wash with lyeand use a great amount of soap, the stain of your sin is still in front of Me. This is the Lord God’s declaration.
23. How can you protest, “I am not defiled;I have not followed the Baals”? Look at your behavior in the valley;acknowledge what you have done. You are a swift young cameltwisting and turning on her way,
24. a wild donkey at home in the wilderness.She sniffs the wind in the heat of her desire.Who can control her passion?All who look for her will not become tired;they will find her in her mating season.
25. Keep your feet from going bareand your throat from thirst.But you say, “It’s hopeless; I love strangers, and I will continue to follow them.”
26. Like the shame of a thief when he is caught,so the house of Israel has been put to shame. They, their kings, their officials,their priests, and their prophets
27. say to a tree, “You are my father,”and to a stone, “You gave birth to me.”For they have turned their back to Meand not their face, yet in their time of disaster they beg,“Rise up and save us! ”
28. But where are your gods you made for yourself?Let them rise up and save you in your time of disaster if they can,for your gods are as numerous as your cities, Judah.
29. Why do you bring a case against Me? All of you have rebelled against Me.This is the Lord’s declaration.
30. I have struck down your children in vain;they would not accept discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a ravaging lion.
31. Evil generation,pay attention to the word of the Lord!Have I been a wilderness to Israelor a land of dense darkness? Why do My people claim,“We will go where we want; we will no longer come to You”?
32. Can a young woman forget her jewelry or a bride her wedding sash?Yet My people have forgotten Me for countless days.
33. How skillfully you pursue love;you also teach evil women your ways.
34. Moreover, your skirts are stainedwith the blood of the innocent poor. You did not catch them breaking and entering. But in spite of all these things