9. Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength,but they don’t even know it.Their hair is gray,but they don’t realize they’re old and weak.
10. Their arrogance testifies against them,yet they don’t return to the lord their Godor even try to find him.
11. “The people of Israel have become like silly, witless doves,first calling to Egypt, then flying to Assyria for help.
12. But as they fly about,I will throw my net over themand bring them down like a bird from the sky.I will punish them for all the evil they do.
13. “What sorrow awaits those who have deserted me!Let them die, for they have rebelled against me.I wanted to redeem them,but they have told lies about me.
14. They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts.Instead, they sit on their couches and wail.They cut themselves, begging foreign gods for grain and new wine,and they turn away from me.
15. I trained them and made them strong,yet now they plot evil against me.
16. They look everywhere except to the Most High.They are as useless as a crooked bow.Their leaders will be killed by their enemiesbecause of their insolence toward me.Then the people of Egyptwill laugh at them.