21. You can hear crying on the bare hilltops.It is the people of Israel crying and praying for mercy.They have become very eviland have forgotten the Lord their God.
22. “Come back to me, you unfaithful children,and I will forgive you for being unfaithful.”“Yes, we will come to you,because you are the Lord our God.
23. It was foolish to worship idols on the hillsand on the mountains.Surely the salvation of Israelcomes from the Lord our God.
24. Since our youth, shameful gods have eaten up in sacrificeeverything our ancestors worked for—their flocks and herds,their sons and daughters.
25. Let us lie down in our shame,and let our disgrace cover us like a blanket.We have sinned against the Lord our God,both we and our ancestors.From our youth until now,we have not obeyed the Lord our God.”