O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? Wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. Only one means of deliverance is left to the Jews-a thorough repentance.
How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? Gesenius translates, 'How long wilt thou harbour vain thoughts?' etc. [But taaliyn (H3885), if it were the second person, would be masculine, whereas "O Jerusalem" is feminine. It must therefore be the third person.]
Vain thoughts - namely, projects for deliverance, such as enlisting the Egyptians on their side.