19. ‘I myself said,‘ “How gladly would I treat you like my childrenand give you a pleasant land,the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.”I thought you would call me “Father”and not turn away from following me.
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.
25. Let us lie down in our shame,and let our disgrace cover us.We have sinned against the Lord our God,both we and our ancestors;from our youth till this daywe have not obeyed the Lord our God.’