“Take the harp, go through the city, forgotten prostitute! Play it well, play lots of songs, so you’ll be noticed!”

I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember.

For the sake of my servant Jacob, Israel, my chosen one, I call you by name and give you a title of respect, even though you do not recognize me.

I do this so people will recognize from east to west that there is no God but me; I am the Lord, I have no peer.

For the sake of my reputation I hold back my anger; for the sake of my prestige I restrain myself from destroying you.

Why, Lord, do you make us stray from your ways, and make our minds stubborn so that we do not obey you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance!

“Oh people of Jerusalem, purify your hearts from evil so that you may yet be delivered. How long will you continue to harbor up wicked schemes within you?

But I am not really the one being troubled!” says the Lord. “Rather they are bringing trouble on themselves to their own shame!

So, now the Lord says, ‘You have not listened to me. But you have made me angry by the things that you have done. Thus you have brought harm on yourselves.’

because they will lack bread and water. Each one will be terrified, and they will rot for their iniquity.

I will do this in order to capture the hearts of the house of Israel, who have alienated themselves from me on account of all their idols.’

so that you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you have done in consoling them.

I acted for the sake of my reputation, so that I would not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

“‘See how each of the princes of Israel living within you has used his authority to shed blood.

Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey – shedding blood and destroying lives – so they can get dishonest profit.

This is how you assessed the obscene conduct of your youth, when the Egyptians fondled your nipples and squeezed your young breasts.

For seven months Israel will bury them, in order to cleanse the land.

You sold Judeans and Jerusalemites to the Greeks, removing them far from their own country.

Your warriors will be shattered, O Teman, so that everyone will be destroyed from Esau’s mountain!

The Lord responded: “Write down this message! Record it legibly on tablets, so the one who announces it may read it easily.