38. They shed innocent blood,the blood of their own sons and daughters—the ones they sacrificed to Canaan’s false gods—so the land was defiled by the bloodshed.
39. They made themselves unclean by what they did; they prostituted themselves by their actions.
40. So the Lord’s anger burned against his people;he despised his own possession.
41. God handed them over to the nations;people who hated them ruled over them.
42. Their enemies oppressed them,and they were humbled under their power.
43. God delivered them numerous times,but they were determined to rebel,and so they were brought down by their own sin.
44. But God saw their distresswhen he heard their loud cries.
45. God remembered his covenant for their sake,and because of how much faithful love he has,God changed his mind.
46. God allowed them to receive compassionfrom all their captors.
47. Lord our God, save us!Gather us back together from among all the nationsso we can give thanksto your holy nameand rejoice in your praise!
48. Bless the Lord, the God of Israel,from forever ago to forever from now!And let all the people say, "Amen!"Praise the Lord!