38. They shed innocent blood —the blood of their sons and daughterswhom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;so the land became polluted with blood.
39. They defiled themselves by their actionsand prostituted themselves by their deeds.
40. Therefore the Lord’s anger burned against His people,and He abhorred His own inheritance.
41. He handed them over to the nations;those who hated them ruled them.
42. Their enemies oppressed them,and they were subdued under their power.
43. He rescued them many times,but they continued to rebel deliberatelyand were beaten down by their sin.
44. When He heard their cry,He took note of their distress,
45. remembered His covenant with them,and relented according to the richesof His faithful love.