²⁸Where are the gods, whom thou hast made thee? let them arise and deliver thee in the time of thy affliction: for according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda.

²⁹Why will you contend with me in judgment? you have all forsaken me, saith the Lord.

³⁰In vain have I struck your children, they have not received correction: your sword hath devoured your prophets, your generation is like a ravaging lion.

³¹See ye the word of the Lord: Am I become a wilderness to Israel, or a lateward springing land? why then have my people said: We are revolted, we will come to thee no more?

³²Will a virgin forget her ornament, or a bride her stomacher? but my people hath forgotten me days without number.

³³Why dost thou endeavour to shew thy way good to seek my love, thou who hast also taught thy malices to be thy ways,

³⁴And in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor and innocent? not in ditches have I found them, but in all places, which I mentioned before.

³⁵And thou hast said: I am without sin and am innocent: and therefore let thy anger be turned away from me. Behold, I will contend with thee in judgment, because thou hast said: I have not sinned.

³⁶How exceeding base art thou become, going the same ways over again! and thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

³⁷For from thence thou shalt go, and thy hand shall be upon thy head: for the Lord hath destroyed thy trust, and thou shalt have nothing prosperous therein.

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