27. They say to things of wood, ‘You are my father.’They say to idols of stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’Those people won’t look at me.They have turned their backs to me.But when they get into trouble, they say,‘Come and save us!’
28. Where are the idols you have made for yourselves?Let them come and save youwhen you are in trouble!People of Judah, you have as many idolsas you have towns!
29. “Why do you accuse me?All of you have turned against me,” says the Lord.
30. “I punished your people, but it did not help.They didn’t come back when they were punished.You killed with your swords the prophets who came to you.You were like a dangerous lion.
31. “People of Judah, pay attention to the word of the Lord:Have I been like a desert to the people of Israel?Have I been like a dark and dangerous land to them?Why do my people say, ‘We are free to wander.We won’t come to you anymore’?
32. A young woman does not forget her jewelry.A bride does not forget the decorations for her dress.But my people have forgotten mefor more days than can be counted!
33. You really know how to chase after love.Even the worst women can learn evil ways from you.
34. You have blood on your clothes.It is the blood of the poor and innocent people.You killed them,but they weren’t thieves you had caught breaking in.You do all these things,
35. but you say, ‘I am innocent.God is not angry with me.’But I will judge you guilty of lying.It is because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’
36. It is so easy for you to change your mind.Assyria let you down.And Egypt will let you down, too.
37. You will eventually leave that place.And, like captives, your hands will be on your head.You trusted those countries.But you will not be helped by them.This is because the Lord has rejected them.