²⁶ Review the past for me,
    let us argue the matter together;^(A)
    state the case^(B) for your innocence.

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”^(A)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;^(B)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.^(C)

⁹ All the nations gather together^(A)
    and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold^(B) this
    and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
    so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

²¹ I had planted^(A) you like a choice vine^(B)
    of sound and reliable stock.
How then did you turn against me
    into a corrupt,^(C) wild vine?
²² Although you wash^(D) yourself with soap^(E)
    and use an abundance of cleansing powder,
    the stain of your guilt is still before me,”
declares the Sovereign Lord.^(F)
23 “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled;^(G)
    I have not run after the Baals’?^(H)
See how you behaved in the valley;^(I)
    consider what you have done.
You are a swift she-camel
    running^(J) here and there,
²⁴ a wild donkey^(K) accustomed to the desert,^(L)
    sniffing the wind in her craving—
    in her heat who can restrain her?
Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves;
    at mating time they will find her.
²⁵ Do not run until your feet are bare
    and your throat is dry.
But you said, ‘It’s no use!^(M)
    I love foreign gods,^(N)
    and I must go after them.’^(O)

²⁶ “As a thief is disgraced^(P) when he is caught,
    so the people of Israel are disgraced—
they, their kings and their officials,
    their priests^(Q) and their prophets.^(R)
27 They say to wood,^(S) ‘You are my father,’
    and to stone,^(T) ‘You gave me birth.’
They have turned their backs^(U) to me
    and not their faces;^(V)
yet when they are in trouble,^(W) they say,
    ‘Come and save^(X) us!’
²⁸ Where then are the gods^(Y) you made for yourselves?
    Let them come if they can save you
    when you are in trouble!^(Z)
For you, Judah, have as many gods
    as you have towns.^(AA)

²⁹ “Why do you bring charges against me?
    You have all^(AB) rebelled against me,”
declares the Lord.
³⁰ “In vain I punished your people;
    they did not respond to correction.^(AC)
Your sword has devoured your prophets^(AD)
    like a ravenous lion.

“Have I been a desert to Israel
    or a land of great darkness?^(AE)
Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam;
    we will come to you no more’?^(AF)
32 Does a young woman forget her jewelry,
    a bride her wedding ornaments?
Yet my people have forgotten^(AG) me,
    days without number.
³³ How skilled you are at pursuing^(AH) love!
    Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.
³⁴ On your clothes is found
    the lifeblood^(AI) of the innocent poor,
    though you did not catch them breaking in.^(AJ)
Yet in spite of all this
³⁵     you say, ‘I am innocent;^(AK)
    he is not angry with me.’
But I will pass judgment^(AL) on you
    because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’^(AM)

⁷ “Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.^(A)

⁸ “Would you discredit my justice?^(B)
    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?^(C)