18. They do not comprehend or understand,for their eyes are blind and cannot see;their minds do not discern.
19. No one thinks to himself,nor do they comprehend or understand and say to themselves:‘I burned half of it in the fire – yes, I baked bread over the coals;I roasted meat and ate it.With the rest of it should I make a disgusting idol?Should I bow down to dry wood?’
20. He feeds on ashes;his deceived mind misleads him.He cannot rescue himself,nor does he say, ‘Is this not a false god I hold in my right hand?’
21. Remember these things, O Jacob,O Israel, for you are my servant.I formed you to be my servant;O Israel, I will not forget you!
22. I remove the guilt of your rebellious deeds as if they were a cloud,the guilt of your sins as if they were a cloud. Come back to me, for I protect you.”
23. Shout for joy, O sky, for the Lord intervenes;shout out, you subterranean regions of the earth.O mountains, give a joyful shout;you too, O forest and all your trees!For the Lord protects Jacob;he reveals his splendor through Israel.