²¹ What will you say when the Lord sets over you
    those you cultivated as your special allies?^(A)
Will not pain grip you
    like that of a woman in labor?^(B)
22 And if you ask yourself,
    “Why has this happened to me?”^(C)—
it is because of your many sins^(D)
    that your skirts have been torn off^(E)
    and your body mistreated.^(F)
23 Can an Ethiopian^[a] change his skin
    or a leopard its spots?
Neither can you do good
    who are accustomed to doing evil.^(G)