From of old thou hast broken thy yoke, 20 Hast burst thy bonds, Saying, “I will not serve!” While upon every high hill, And under each rustling tree, Harlot thou sprawlest! Yet a noble vine did I plant thee, 21 Wholly true seed; How could’st thou change to a corrupt,(155) A wildling grape? Yea, though thou scour thee with nitre, 22 And heap to thee lye, Ingrained is thy guilt before Me, Rede of the Lord, thy God.(156) How sayest thou, “I’m not defiled, 23 Nor gone after the Baals.” Look at thy ways in the Valley, And own thy deeds! A young camel, light o’ heel,(157) Zig-zagging her tracks, A heifer, schooled to the desert— 24 In the heat of her lust, Snapping the wind in her passion, Who is to turn her? None that would seek her need strain them, In her month they shall find her. Save thou thy feet from the peeling, 25 Thy throat from thirst! But thou sayest, “No use!(158) For with strangers I’m fallen in love, Them must I after!” Like the shame of the thief when he’s caught, 26 Shall Israel’s sons(159) be shamed. [They and their kings and their princes, Their priests and their prophets](160) Who say to a stock “Thou my Father!” 27 To a stone “Thou hast borne me!” Their(161) backs they have turned to Me Never their(162) faces. Yet in time of their trouble they say “Rise up and save us!” Where be thy gods thou hast made thee? 28 Let them rise, if so they may save thee In time of thy trouble; For as thy townships in number,(163) So be, O Judah, thy gods! What quarrel have you against Me? 29 All you are the sinners;(164) Against Me you all have rebelled— Rede of the Lord. In vain have I smitten your sons 30 Ye(165) took not correction Your(166) sword has devoured your prophets, Like a ravaging lion. O generation—you!—look at the Word of the Lord!(167) 31 Have I been a desert to Israel, Or land of thick darkness? Why say My folk “We are off, No more to meet Thee!” Can a maiden forget her adorning, 32 Or her girdle a bride? Yet Me have My people forgotten, Days without number! Why trimmest thou still thy ways 33 To seek after love? Therefore thou also to evil Thy ways hast trained:(168) Yea, on thy skirts is found blood 34 Of innocent souls, Not only on felons(?) I find it But over all these.(169) Yet thou said’st, “I am assoiled, 35 Sure His wrath turns from me!” Behold I am going to judge thee For saying, “I’m sinless!” How very light dost thou take it, 36 To change thy ways! E’en of Miṣraim shalt thou be ashamed(170) As ashamed of Ashshúr. Out of this too shalt thou come 37 With thy hands on thy head,