16. The men from the cities of Memphis and Tahpanheshave disgraced you by shaving the top of your head.
17. Haven’t you brought this on yourselvesby turning away from the Lord your Godwhen he was leading you in the right way?
18. It did not help to go to Egyptand drink from the Shihor River.It did not help to go to Assyriaand drink from the Euphrates River.
19. Your evil will bring punishment to you,and the wrong you have done will teach you a lesson.Think about it and understandthat it is a terrible evil to turn away from the Lord your God.It is wrong not to fear me,”says the Lord God All-Powerful.
20. “Long ago you refused to obey me as an ox breaks its yoke.You broke the ropes I used to hold youand said, ‘I will not serve you!’In fact, on every high hilland under every green treeyou lay down as a prostitute.
21. But I planted you as a special vine,as a very good seed.How then did you turninto a wild vine that grows bad fruit?
22. Although you wash yourself with cleanserand use much soap,I can still see the stain of your guilt,” says the Lord God.
23. “How can you say to me, ‘I am not guilty.I have not worshiped the Baal idols’?Look at the things you did in the valley.Think about what you have done.You are like a she-camel in mating seasonthat runs from place to place.
24. You are like a wild donkey that lives in the desertand sniffs the wind at mating time.At that time who can hold her back?Any male who chases her will easily catch her;at mating time, it is easy to find her.
25. Don’t run until your feet are bareor until your throat is dry.But you say, ‘It’s no use!I love those other gods,and I must chase them!’
26. “A thief is ashamed when someone catches him stealing.In the same way, the family of Israel is ashamed—they, their kings, their officers,their priests, and their prophets.
27. They say to things of wood, ‘You are my father,’and to idols of stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’Those people won’t look at me;they have turned their backs to me.But when they get into trouble, they say,‘Come and save us!’
28. Where are the idols you made for yourselves?Let them come and save youwhen you are in trouble!People of Judah, you have as many idolsas you have towns!
29. “Why do you complain to me?All of you have turned against me,” says the Lord.