²⁵ Your iniquities have turned these away,
    and your sins have deprived you of good.^(A)

² Rather, your iniquities have been barriers
    between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
    so that he does not hear.^(A)

³⁴ a fruitful land into a salty waste,
    because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.^(A)

³⁹ Why should any who draw breath complain
    about the punishment of their sins?^(A)

³ Therefore the showers have been withheld,
    and the spring rain has not come,
yet you have the forehead of a prostitute;
    you refuse to be ashamed.^(A)

¹⁷ Have you not brought this upon yourself
    by forsaking the Lord your God,
    while he led you in the way?^(A)
18 What then do you gain by going to Egypt,
    to drink the waters of the Nile?
Or what do you gain by going to Assyria,
    to drink the waters of the Euphrates?^(B)
19 Your wickedness will punish you,
    and your faithlessness will convict you.
Know and see that it is evil and bitter
    for you to forsake the Lord your God;
    the fear of me is not in you,
            says the Lord God of hosts.^(C)