17. It's all your own fault!You stopped following me,the Lord your God,
18. and you trusted the powerof Egypt and Assyria.
19. Your own sins will punish you,because it was a bitter mistakefor you to reject mewithout fear of punishment.I, the Lord All-Powerful,have spoken.
20. Long ago you left meand broke all ties between us,refusing to be my servant.Now you worship other godsby having sexon hilltops or in the shadeof large trees.
21. You were a choice grapevine,but now you produce nothingbut small, rotten grapes.
22. The Lord said:People of Israel,you are stained with guilt,and no soap or bleachcan wash it away.
23. You deny your sinsand say, “We aren't unclean.We haven't worshipped Baal.”But think about what you doin Hinnom Valley.And you run back and forthlike young camels,as you rush to worship one idolafter another.
24. You are a female donkeysniffing the desert air,wanting to matewith just anyone.You are an easy catch!
25. Your shoes are worn out,and your throat is parchedfrom running here and thereto worship foreign gods.“Stop!” I shouted,but you replied, “No!I love those gods too much.”
26. You and your leadersare more disgracefulthan thieves—you and your kings,your priests and prophets
27. worship stone idolsand sacred polesas if they had created youand had given you life.You have rejected me,but when you're in trouble,you cry to me for help.
28. Go and cry to the gods you made!There should be enough of themto save you,because Judah has as many godsas it has towns.