⁹ If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

² He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes^[a] to make it bear more fruit.

⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.^(A)

¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets^[a] and drove us out; they displease God and oppose everyone^(A)

¹⁴ shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you destroy us without remnant or survivor?^{(A) 15} O Lord, God of Israel, you are just, but we have escaped as a remnant, as is now the case. Here we are before you in our guilt, though no one can face you because of this.”^(B)

⁵ And I heard the angel of the waters say,

⁷ And I heard the altar respond,

⁵ we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances.^{(A) 6} We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

⁷ “Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them because of the treachery that they have committed against you.^{(B) 8} Open shame, O Lord, falls on us, our kings, our princes, and our ancestors because we have sinned against you.

³ And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: