²⁷ who say to a tree, “You are my father,”
    and to a stone, “You gave me birth.”
For they have turned their backs to me
    and not their faces.
But in the time of their trouble they say,
    “Come and save us!”^(A)

⁴ Their deeds do not permit them
    to return to their God.
For the spirit of prostitution is within them,
    and they do not know the Lord.^(A)

9 Do not rejoice, O Israel!
    Do not exult^[a] as other nations do,
for you have prostituted yourself, departing from your God.
    You have loved a prostitute’s pay
    on all threshing floors.^(A)

¹⁹ Alas for you who say to the wood, “Wake up!”
    to silent stone, “Rouse yourself!”
    Can it teach?
See, it is gold and silver plated,
    and there is no breath in it at all.^(A)