26. As a thief is ashamed when caught in his tracks,so the people of Israel are ashamed—their kings, officials, priests, and prophets—
27. when they say to a piece of wood, "You are my father,"and to a stone, "You gave me birth."They have turned their backs to meand not their faces.Yet in their time of trouble they say,"Arise and save us!"
28. Where are the godsyou have made for yourselves?Let’s see if they will come through for you in your time of trouble.You have as many gods, Judah,as you have towns.
29. Why would you bring charges against me?You have all rebelled against me,declares the Lord.
30. I have disciplined your children in vain;they have rejected my correction.You have devoured your prophetslike a hungry lion.
31. People of this generation, listen closely to the Lord’s word:Have I been a wasteland to Israelor a land of dense darkness?Why then do my people say,"We have wandered far away;we’ll come to you no longer"?
32. Does a young woman forget her jewelryor a bride her wedding dress?Yet you have forgotten me days without end!
33. So skilled are you at pursuing loversthat you instruct even the most wicked.
34. Your garments are stainedwith the blood of the innocent poor,even though you didn’t catch thembreaking and entering.Yet, despite all this,
35. you still insist,"I’m innocent;as a result he will turn his anger away from me."Because you claim not to have sinned,I will pass judgment against you.
36. You change sides so casually!But Egypt will shame youno less than Assyria.