27. They say to a piece of wood, “You are my father,”and to a stone, “You gave me birth.”They turn their backs to me, not their faces;yet in their time of trouble they cry out,“Rise up and save us!”
28. Where are the gods you made for yourselves?Let them rise up!Will they save you in your time of trouble?For as numerous as your citiesare your gods, O Judah!And as many as the streets of Jerusalemare the altars you have set up for Baal.
29. Why are you arguing with me?You have all rebelled against me—oracle of the Lord.
30. In vain I struck your children;correction they did not take.Your sword devoured your prophetslike a ravening lion.
31. You people of this generation,consider the word of the Lord:Have I become a wilderness to Israel,a land of gloom?Why then do my people say, “We have moved on,we will not come to you any more”?