18. “What have you gained by your alliances with Egyptand your covenants with Assyria?What good to you are the streams of the Nileor the waters of the Euphrates River?
19. Your wickedness will bring its own punishment.Your turning from me will shame you.You will see what an evil, bitter thing it isto abandon the lord your God and not to fear him.I, the Lord, the lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!
20. “Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed youand tore away the chains of your slavery,but still you said,‘I will not serve you.’On every hill and under every green tree,you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols.
21. But I was the one who planted you,choosing a vine of the purest stock—the very best.How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?
22. No amount of soap or lye can make you clean.I still see the stain of your guilt.I, the Sovereign lord, have spoken!
23. “You say, ‘That’s not true!I haven’t worshiped the images of Baal!’But how can you say that?Go and look in any valley in the land!Face the awful sins you have done.You are like a restless female cameldesperately searching for a mate.
24. You are like a wild donkey,sniffing the wind at mating time.Who can restrain her lust?Those who desire her don’t need to search,for she goes running to them!
25. When will you stop running?When will you stop panting after other gods?But you say, ‘Save your breath.I’m in love with these foreign gods,and I can’t stop loving them now!’
26. “Israel is like a thiefwho feels shame only when he gets caught.They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets—all are alike in this.
27. To an image carved from a piece of wood they say,‘You are my father.’To an idol chiseled from a block of stone they say,‘You are my mother.’They turn their backs on me,but in times of trouble they cry out to me,‘Come and save us!’
28. But why not call on these gods you have made?When trouble comes, let them save you if they can!For you have as many godsas there are towns in Judah.
29. Why do you accuse me of doing wrong?You are the ones who have rebelled,”says the lord.