15. Like lions his enemies roar victoriously over him;they raise their voices in triumph.They have laid his land waste;his cities have been burned down and deserted.
16. Even the soldiers from Memphis and Tahpanheshave cracked your skulls, people of Israel.
17. You have brought all this on yourself, Israel,by deserting the Lord your God when he was leading you along the right path.
18. What good will it do you then to go down to Egyptto seek help from the Egyptians?What good will it do you to go over to Assyriato seek help from the Assyrians?
19. Your own wickedness will bring about your punishment.Your unfaithful acts will bring down discipline on you.Know, then, and realize how utterly harmfulit was for you to reject me, the Lord your God,to show no respect for me,”says the Lord God who rules over all.
20. “Indeed, long ago you threw off my authorityand refused to be subject to me.You said, ‘I will not serve you.’Instead, you gave yourself to other gods on every high hilland under every green tree,like a prostitute sprawls out before her lovers.
21. I planted you in the land like a special vine of the very best stock.Why in the world have you turned into something like a wild vinethat produces rotten, foul-smelling grapes?
22. You can try to wash away your guilt with a strong detergent.You can use as much soap as you want.But the stain of your guilt is still there for me to see,”says the Lord God.