Teach me how you want me to live; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me!

Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

Then those living on earth will know what you are like; all nations will know how you deliver your people.

O God, your deeds are extraordinary! What god can compare to our great God?

Then you will walk on your way with security, and you will not stumble.

Keep yourself far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,

Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me!

You walked through the sea; you passed through the surging waters, but left no footprints.

O Lord, teach me how you want me to live! Then I will obey your commands. Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!

“My, how good you have become at chasing after your lovers! Why, you could even teach prostitutes a thing or two!

Why do you constantly go about changing your political allegiances? You will get no help from Egypt just as you got no help from Assyria.

He answered, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you. He will make your journey a success and you will find a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father’s family.

Because of the long distance you must travel, you get tired, but you do not say, ‘I give up.’ You get renewed energy, so you don’t collapse.

“How can you say, ‘I have not made myself unclean. I have not paid allegiance to the gods called Baal.’ Just look at the way you have behaved in the Valley of Hinnom! Think about the things you have done there! You are like a flighty, young female camel that rushes here and there, crisscrossing its path.

“The way you have lived and the things you have done will bring this on you. This is the punishment you deserve, and it will be painful indeed. The pain will be so bad it will pierce your heart.”

While you were feeling secure I gave you warning. But you said, “I refuse to listen to you.” That is the way you have acted from your earliest history onward. Indeed, you have never paid attention to me.

Therefore, I will soon fence her in with thorns; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.

Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your way, that I may know you, that I may continue to find favor in your sight. And see that this nation is your people.”

This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful.

“‘Because you did not remember the days of your youth and have enraged me with all these deeds, I hereby repay you for what you have done, declares the sovereign Lord. Have you not engaged in prostitution on top of all your other abominable practices?