31 “You of this generation, consider the word of the Lord:

“Have I been a desert to Israel
    or a land of great darkness?(A)
Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam;
    we will come to you no more’?(B)
32 Does a young woman forget her jewelry,
    a bride her wedding ornaments?
Yet my people have forgotten(C) me,
    days without number.
33 How skilled you are at pursuing(D) love!
    Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.
34 On your clothes is found
    the lifeblood(E) of the innocent poor,
    though you did not catch them breaking in.(F)
Yet in spite of all this
35     you say, ‘I am innocent;(G)
    he is not angry with me.’
But I will pass judgment(H) on you
    because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’(I)
36 Why do you go about so much,
    changing(J) your ways?
You will be disappointed by Egypt(K)
    as you were by Assyria.
37 You will also leave that place
    with your hands on your head,(L)
for the Lord has rejected those you trust;
    you will not be helped(M) by them.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends