Again the people sought help from Him whom they had so forsaken and insulted. "The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against Thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim." But sorrow had not worked true repentance. The people mourned because their sins had brought suffering upon themselves, but not because they had dishonored God by transgression of His holy law. True repentance is more than sorrow for sin. It is a resolute turning away from evil.

Nu bad folket endnu engang ham, som de havde svigtet og krænket, om hjælp. "Da råbte israelitterne til Herren og sagde: "Vi har syndet imod dig, thi vi har forladt Herren vor Gud og dyrket Baalerne!" Men deres anger var ikke ægte og skyldtes ikke sorg over deres synd. Folket sørgede på grund af de lidelser, de blev udsat for på grund af deres synder. De sørgede ikke over, at de havde vanæret Gud ved at overtræde hans hellige lov. Sand anger indbefatter mere end sorg over synden. Den giver sig udslag i, at man resolut vender det onde ryggen,