requests which apply to Israel’s speaking rather than to their past actions. Israel is bidden to return to God, talking words. On the people’s past record the chance of all those words being acceptable is very slight. It is far more likely that they would include words of nonsense, pride, and rebellion. This the liturgy allows for and asks God to sift what is offered, removing the bad and preserving whatever is good. The liturgy continues with vows of renunciation that look to earlier chapters and