16 They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves,(A) and an Asherah(B) pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts,(C) and they worshiped Baal.(D)

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18 The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven.(A) They pour out drink offerings(B) to other gods to arouse(C) my anger.

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Their mother has been unfaithful
    and has conceived them in disgrace.
She said, ‘I will go after my lovers,(A)
    who give me my food and my water,
    my wool and my linen, my olive oil and my drink.’(B)
Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes;
    I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.(C)
She will chase after her lovers but not catch them;
    she will look for them but not find them.(D)
Then she will say,
    ‘I will go back to my husband(E) as at first,(F)
    for then I was better off(G) than now.’
She has not acknowledged(H) that I was the one
    who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil,(I)
who lavished on her the silver and gold(J)
    which they used for Baal.(K)

“Therefore I will take away my grain(L) when it ripens,
    and my new wine(M) when it is ready.
I will take back my wool and my linen,
    intended to cover her naked body.

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