3. In those days Israel was holy to the lord,the first of his children.All who harmed his people were declared guilty,and disaster fell on them.I, the lord, have spoken!”
4. Listen to the word of the lord, people of Jacob—all you families of Israel!
5. This is what the lord says:“What did your ancestors find wrong with methat led them to stray so far from me?They worshiped worthless idols,only to become worthless themselves.
6. They did not ask, ‘Where is the lordwho brought us safely out of Egyptand led us through the barren wilderness—a land of deserts and pits,a land of drought and death,where no one lives or even travels?’
7. “And when I brought you into a fruitful landto enjoy its bounty and goodness,you defiled my land andcorrupted the possession I had promised you.
8. The priests did not ask,‘Where is the lord?’Those who taught my word ignored me,the rulers turned against me,and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal,wasting their time on worthless idols.
9. Therefore, I will bring my case against you,”says the lord.“I will even bring charges against your children’s childrenin the years to come.
10. “Go west and look in the land of Cyprus;go east and search through the land of Kedar.Has anyone ever heard of anythingas strange as this?
11. Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones,even though they are not gods at all?Yet my people have exchanged their glorious Godfor worthless idols!
12. The heavens are shocked at such a thingand shrink back in horror and dismay,”says the lord.
13. “For my people have done two evil things:They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water.And they have dug for themselves cracked cisternsthat can hold no water at all!
14. “Why has Israel become a slave?Why has he been carried away as plunder?
15. Strong lions have roared against him,and the land has been destroyed.The towns are now in ruins,and no one lives in them anymore.
16. Egyptians, marching from their cities of Memphis and Tahpanhes,have destroyed Israel’s glory and power.
17. And you have brought this upon yourselvesby rebelling against the lord your God,even though he was leading you on the way!
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!