²¹ A cry is heard on the barren heights,^(A)
    the weeping^(B) and pleading of the people of Israel,
because they have perverted their ways
    and have forgotten^(C) the Lord their God.

⁹ They will come with weeping;^(A)
    they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead^(B) them beside streams of water^(C)
    on a level^(D) path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,^(E)
    and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

² “Look up to the barren heights^(A) and see.
    Is there any place where you have not been ravished?
By the roadside^(B) you sat waiting for lovers,
    sat like a nomad in the desert.
You have defiled the land^(C)
    with your prostitution^(D) and wickedness.

³² Does a young woman forget her jewelry,
    a bride her wedding ornaments?
Yet my people have forgotten^(A) me,
    days without number.

¹⁰ You have forgotten^(A) God your Savior;^(B)
    you have not remembered the Rock,^(C) your fortress.^(D)
Therefore, though you set out the finest plants
    and plant imported vines,^(E)

² Dibon^(A) goes up to its temple,
    to its high places^(B) to weep;
    Moab wails^(C) over Nebo^(D) and Medeba.
Every head is shaved^(E)
    and every beard cut off.^(F)

⁹ Hear this, you leaders of Jacob,
    you rulers of Israel,
who despise justice
    and distort all that is right;^(A)