The Impotence of the Gods solicited by Israel

26 But Israel’s house shall be shamed

As a thief that is caught is ashamed–

They and their kings and their princes,

Their priests and their prophets together;

27 That say to a stock, "My father,"

To a stone, "It is thou that hast borne me."

For unto Me they turned

Their backs and not their faces;

Yet in time of trouble they say,

"O rise Thou up and save us."

28 But where are the gods thou didst make thee?

Let them arise, if they

Can save thee in time of trouble;

For as many as are thy cities,

So many thy gods, O Judah.

29 Why do ye wrangle with Me?

For wicked ye are, every man of you;

Rebels are ye, saith Jehovah–

Rebels against Me, each man of you.

30 In vain have I smitten your children,

They would not receive correction;

The sword hath devoured your prophets,

Like a lion that dealeth destruction,

31 And yet ye are unafraid.

So hear ye the word of Jehovah:

Have I been a desert to Israel,

A dark and gloomy land?

Why then do ye say, "We are free,

We will come unto Thee nevermore?"

32 Can a maid forget her ornaments,

Or a bride forget her sash?

Yet Me hath My people forgotten

Days and days without number.

33 In quest of love how bravely

Thou trippest along thy way!

Small wonder thy deeds are so vile,

And thy way hath been all polluted.

34 Yea, blood was found in thy skirts–

Of the lives of the innocent poor–

As though thou hadst caught them at theft!

For all this (I would therefore contend with thee);

35 Yet thou hast said: "I am innocent,

Surely His anger is over."

But see, I will enter with thee into judgment,

Because thou dost claim to be sinless.

36 Why runnest thou hither and thither

With so frivolous a heart?

Thou shalt yet reap shame from Egypt,

As thou has reaped shame from Assyria.

37 Yea, thence shalt thou also go forth,

With thy hands upon thy head;

For those whom thou trustest Jehovah hath spurned,

And thou shalt not make good thine escape.