Israel, you have forgotten the God who saves you, the one who is the mighty rock where you find protection. You plant the finest flowers to honour a foreign god.
When broken branches fall to the ground, women pick them up to feed the fire. But these people are so stupid that the God who created them will show them no mercy.
Now listen to what I say! Did I abandon you in the desert or surround you with darkness? You are my people, yet you have told me, “We'll do what we want, and we refuse to worship you!”
Listen to the noise on the hilltops! It's the people of Israel, weeping and begging me to answer their prayers. They forgot about me and chose the wrong path.
Others of you accept money to murder someone. Your own people charge high interest when making a loan to other Israelites, and they get rich by cheating. Worst of all, you have forgotten me, the LORD God.
Israel, I created you, but you forgot me. You and Judah built palaces and many strong cities. Now I will send fire to destroy your towns and fortresses.