2 Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth!This is what the lord says:“The children I raised and cared forhave rebelled against me.
3 Even an ox knows its owner,and a donkey recognizes its master’s care—but Israel doesn’t know its master.My people don’t recognize my care for them.”
4 Oh, what a sinful nation they are—loaded down with a burden of guilt.They are evil people,corrupt children who have rejected the lord.They have despised the Holy One of Israeland turned their backs on him.
5 Why do you continue to invite punishment?Must you rebel forever?Your head is injured,and your heart is sick.
6 You are battered from head to foot—covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds—without any soothing ointments or bandages.
7 Your country lies in ruins,and your towns are burned.Foreigners plunder your fields before your eyesand destroy everything they see.
8 Beautiful Jerusalem stands abandonedlike a watchman’s shelter in a vineyard,like a lean-to in a cucumber field after the harvest,like a helpless city under siege.