12. Be horrified at this, heavens;shudder, be appalled—oracle of the Lord.
13. Two evils my people have done:they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;They have dug themselves cisterns,broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
14. Is Israel a slave, a house-born servant?Why then has he become plunder?
15. Against him lions roar,they raise their voices.They have turned his land into a waste;his cities are charred ruins, without an inhabitant.
16. Yes, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhesshave the crown of your head.
17. Has not forsaking the Lord, your God,done this to you?
18. And now, why go to Egypt,to drink the waters of the Nile?Why go to Assyria,to drink the waters of the River?
19. Your own wickedness chastises you,your own infidelities punish you.Know then, and see, how evil and bitteris your forsaking the Lord, your God,And your showing no fear of me,oracle of the Lord, the God of hosts.
20. Long ago you broke your yoke,you tore off your bonds.You said, “I will not serve.”On every high hill, under every green tree,you sprawled and served as a prostitute.