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.

⁵ Why should you be beaten^(G) anymore?
    Why do you persist^(H) in rebellion?^(I)
Your whole head is injured,
    your whole heart^(J) afflicted.^(K)
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head^(L)
    there is no soundness^(M)—
only wounds and welts^(N)
    and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged^(O)
    or soothed with olive oil.^(P)

²³ Your rulers are rebels,^(A)
    partners with thieves;^(B)
they all love bribes^(C)
    and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
    the widow’s case does not come before them.^(D)

²⁶ “As a thief is disgraced^(A) when he is caught,
    so the people of Israel are disgraced—
they, their kings and their officials,
    their priests^(B) and their prophets.^(C)