⁶ The Lord will call you back^(A)
    as if you were a wife deserted^(B) and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,^(C)
    only to be rejected,” says your God.
⁷ “For a brief moment^(D) I abandoned^(E) you,
    but with deep compassion^(F) I will bring you back.^(G)

⁴ Woe to the sinful nation,
    a people whose guilt is great,^(A)
a brood of evildoers,^(B)
    children given to corruption!^(C)
They have forsaken^(D) the Lord;
    they have spurned the Holy One^(E) of Israel
    and turned their backs^(F) on him.

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce^(A)
    with which I sent her away?
Or to which of my creditors
    did I sell^(B) you?
Because of your sins^(C) you were sold;^(D)
    because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
² When I came, why was there no one?
    When I called, why was there no one to answer?^(E)
Was my arm too short^(F) to deliver you?
    Do I lack the strength^(G) to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke^(H) I dry up the sea,^(I)
    I turn rivers into a desert;^(J)
their fish rot for lack of water
    and die of thirst.

¹⁵ “Although you have been forsaken^(A) and hated,
    with no one traveling^(B) through,
I will make you the everlasting pride^(C)
    and the joy^(D) of all generations.