15. They have roared at him like lions;they have made his land a desert,and his towns lie in ruins, completely abandoned.
16. Yes, those of Memphis and Tahpanheshave cracked his skull.
17. Israel, you brought this on yourself!You deserted me, the Lord your God,while I was leading you along the way.
18. What do you think you will gain by going to Egyptto drink water from the Nile?What do you think you will gain by going to Assyriato drink water from the Euphrates?
19. Your own evil will punish you,and your turning from me will condemn you.You will learn how bitter and wrong it isto abandon me, the Lord your God,and no longer to remain faithful to me.I, the Sovereign Lord Almighty, have spoken.”
20. The Sovereign Lord says,“Israel, long ago you rejected my authority;you refused to obey me and worship me.On every high hilland under every green treeyou worshipped fertility gods.
21. I planted you like a choice vinefrom the very best seed.But look what you have become!You are like a rotten, worthless vine.
22. Even if you washed with the strongest soap,I would still see the stain of your guilt.
23. How can you say you have not defiled yourself,that you have never worshipped Baal?Look how you sinned in the valley;see what you have done.You are like a wild camel on heat,running about loose,
24. rushing into the desert.When she is on heat, who can control her?No male that wants her has to trouble himself;she is always available at mating time.
25. Israel, don't wear your feet out,or let your throat become dryfrom chasing after other gods.But you say, ‘No! I can't turn back.I have loved foreign godsand will go after them.’ ”
26. The Lord says, “Just as a thief is disgraced when caught, so all you people of Israel will be disgraced — your kings and officials, your priests and prophets.
27. You will all be disgraced — you that say that a tree is your father and that a rock is your mother. This will happen because you turned away from me instead of turning to me. But when you are in trouble, you ask me to come and save you.