20 For long ago I[a] broke your yoke;(A)
I[b] tore off your chains.
You insisted, “I will not serve!”
On every high hill
and under every green tree(B)
you lay down like a prostitute.(C)

21 I planted you, a choice vine(D)
from the very best seed.
How then could you turn into
a degenerate, foreign vine?(E)

22 Even if you wash with lye
and use a great amount of bleach,[c](F)
the stain of your iniquity is still in front of me.(G)
This is the Lord God’s declaration.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:20 LXX reads you
  2. 2:20 LXX reads you
  3. 2:22 Lit cleansing agent

20 “Long ago you broke off your yoke(A)
    and tore off your bonds;(B)
    you said, ‘I will not serve you!’(C)
Indeed, on every high hill(D)
    and under every spreading tree(E)
    you lay down as a prostitute.(F)
21 I had planted(G) you like a choice vine(H)
    of sound and reliable stock.
How then did you turn against me
    into a corrupt,(I) wild vine?
22 Although you wash(J) yourself with soap(K)
    and use an abundance of cleansing powder,
    the stain of your guilt is still before me,”
declares the Sovereign Lord.(L)

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