20. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband,so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,’declares the Lord.
21. A cry is heard on the barren heights,the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel,because they have perverted their waysand have forgotten the Lord their God.
22. ‘Return, faithless people;I will cure you of backsliding.’‘Yes, we will come to you,for you are the Lord our God.
23. Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hillsand mountains is a deception;surely in the Lord our Godis the salvation of Israel.
24. From our youth shameful gods have consumedthe fruits of our ancestors’ labour –their flocks and herds,their sons and daughters.