21 What will you say when he appoints someone as head over you:your defenders, your trusted allies?Won’t pain grip youlike that of a woman in labor?
22 And when you ask yourself,Why have all these things happened to me?it is because of your many sinsthat you have been stripped and violated.
23 Can a Cushite change his skinor a leopard its spots?Neither can you do goodwhen doing evil comes so naturally.
24 So I will scatter you like strawthat is blown away by the desert winds.
25 This is the futurethat I have prepared for you,declares the Lord, because you have forgotten meand trusted in lies.
26 I myself will pull up your skirt over your faceand expose your shame.
27 I have seen your adultery and lust,your disgusting idols and shameless prostitutionon the hills and in the fields.How terrible for you, Jerusalem!How long will you remain dirty?