5. thus says the Lord:What fault did your ancestors find in methat they withdrew from me,Went after emptiness,and became empty themselves?
6. They did not ask, “Where is the Lordwho brought us up from the land of Egypt,Who led us through the wilderness,through a land of wastes and ravines,A land of drought and darkness,a land which no one crosses,where no one dwells?”
7. I brought you into the garden landto eat its fine fruits,But you entered and defiled my land,you turned my heritage into an abomination.
8. The priests did not ask,“Where is the Lord?”The experts in the law did not know me:the shepherds rebelled against me.The prophets prophesied by Baal,and went after useless idols.
9. Therefore I will again accuse you—oracle of the Lord—even your children’s children I will accuse.
10. Cross to the coast of Cyprus and see,send to Kedar and carefully inquire:Where has anything like this been done?
11. Does any other nation change its gods?—even though they are not gods at all!But my people have changed their gloryfor useless things.
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?