²⁰ “For long ago I ^(A)broke your yoke
    and burst your bonds;
    but you said, ^(B)‘I will not serve.’
Yes, ^(C)on every high hill
    and under every green tree
    you bowed down ^(D)like a whore.
^21 (E)Yet I planted you a choice vine,
    wholly of pure seed.
^(F)How then have you turned degenerate
    and become a wild vine?
²² Though you wash yourself with lye
    and use much soap,
    ^(G)the stain of your guilt is still before me,
declares the Lord God.
^23 (H)How can you say, ‘I am not unclean,
    I have not gone after the Baals’?
Look at your way ^(I)in the valley;
    know what you have done—
a restless young camel running here and there,
^{24     (J)}a wild donkey used to the wilderness,
in her heat sniffing the wind!
    Who can restrain her lust?
None who seek her need weary themselves;
    in her month they will find her.
²⁵ Keep ^(K)your feet from going unshod
    and ^(L)your throat from thirst.
But you said, ‘It is hopeless,
    ^(M)for I have loved foreigners,
    and after them I will go.’

²⁶ “As a thief is shamed when caught,
    so the house of Israel shall be shamed:
^(N)they, their kings, their officials,
    their priests, and their prophets,
²⁷ who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’
    and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’
For they have turned their back to me,
    and not their face.
But ^(O)in the time of their trouble they say,
    ‘Arise and save us!’
²⁸ But ^(P)where are your gods
    that you made for yourself?
Let them arise, ^(Q)if they can save you,
    in your time of trouble;
for ^(R)as many as your cities
    are your gods, O Judah.