1 “If a man divorces his wifeand she leaves him and becomes another man’s wife,he may not take her back again.Doing that would utterly defile the land.But you, Israel, have given yourself as a prostitute to many gods.So what makes you think you can return to me?”says the Lord.
2 “Look up at the hilltops and consider this.You have had sex with other gods on every one of them.You waited for those gods like a thief lying in wait in the desert.You defiled the land by your wicked prostitution to other gods.
3 That is why the rains have been withheld,and the spring rains have not come.Yet in spite of this you are obstinate as a prostitute.You refuse to be ashamed of what you have done.
4 Even now you say to me, ‘You are my father!You have been my faithful companion ever since I was young.