¹⁸ The Lord is close^(A) to the brokenhearted^(B)
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

³ For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.^(A)
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned^(B)
    and done what is evil in your sight;^(C)
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.^(D)
5 Surely I was sinful^(E) at birth,^(F)
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom^(G) in that secret place.^(H)

¹⁷ My sacrifice,^(A) O God, is^[a] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart^(B)
    you, God, will not despise.

3 “If a man divorces^(A) his wife
    and she leaves him and marries another man,
should he return to her again?
    Would not the land be completely defiled?^(B)
But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers^(C)—
    would you now return to me?”^(D)
declares the Lord.
² “Look up to the barren heights^(E) and see.
    Is there any place where you have not been ravished?
By the roadside^(F) you sat waiting for lovers,
    sat like a nomad in the desert.
You have defiled the land^(G)
    with your prostitution^(H) and wickedness.
³ Therefore the showers have been withheld,^(I)
    and no spring rains^(J) have fallen.
Yet you have the brazen^(K) look of a prostitute;
    you refuse to blush with shame.^(L)

“‘Return,^(B) faithless^(C) Israel,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘I will frown on you no longer,
for I am faithful,’^(D) declares the Lord,
    ‘I will not be angry^(E) forever.
¹³ Only acknowledge^(F) your guilt—
    you have rebelled against the Lord your God,
you have scattered your favors to foreign gods^(G)
    under every spreading tree,^(H)
    and have not obeyed^(I) me,’”
declares the Lord.

²⁵ Let us lie down in our shame,^(A)
    and let our disgrace cover us.
We have sinned^(B) against the Lord our God,
    both we and our ancestors;^(C)
from our youth^(D) till this day
    we have not obeyed^(E) the Lord our God.”

¹⁵ Then I will return to my lair^(A)
    until they have borne their guilt^(B)
    and seek my face^(C)—
in their misery^(D)
    they will earnestly seek me.^(E)”

⁴ “Their deeds do not permit them
    to return^(C) to their God.
A spirit of prostitution^(D) is in their heart;
    they do not acknowledge^(E) the Lord.