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.

²² “Return,^(D) faithless people;
    I will cure^(E) you of backsliding.”^(F)

“Yes, we will come to you,
    for you are the Lord our God.
²³ Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills^(G)
    and mountains is a deception;
surely in the Lord our God
    is the salvation^(H) of Israel.
²⁴ From our youth shameful^(I) gods have consumed
    the fruits of our ancestors’ labor—
their flocks and herds,
    their sons and daughters.
²⁵ Let us lie down in our shame,^(J)
    and let our disgrace cover us.
We have sinned^(K) against the Lord our God,
    both we and our ancestors;^(L)
from our youth^(M) till this day
    we have not obeyed^(N) the Lord our God.”

4 “If you, Israel, will return,^(O)
    then return to me,”
declares the Lord.
“If you put your detestable idols^(P) out of my sight
    and no longer go astray,
² and if in a truthful, just and righteous way
    you swear,^(Q) ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’^(R)
then the nations will invoke blessings^(S) by him
    and in him they will boast.^(T)”