17 He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.

He bows down to it and worships;

he prays to it,b “Save me, for you are my god.”

18 Such peopleB do not comprehend

and cannot understand,

for he has shut their eyesC so they cannot see,

and their minds so they cannot understand.

19 No one comes to his senses;D

no one has the perception or insight to say,

“I burned half of it in the fire,

I also baked bread on its coals,

I roasted meat and ate.

Should I make something detestablec with the rest of it?

Should I bow down to a block of wood?”

20 He feeds onE ashes.

His deceived mind has led him astray,

and he cannot rescue himself,

or say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”d

21 Remember these things, Jacob,

and Israel, for you are my servant;

I formed you, you are my servant;

Israel, you will never be forgotten by me.F,e

22 I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud,f

and your sins like a mist.

Return to me,g

for I have redeemed you.h