14. Is Israel a servant—a slave by birth? Then why has he become plunder?
15. Young lions have roared at him they have roared loudly. They made his land a waste— his cities are in ruins and uninhabited.
16. Even the sons of Noph and Tahpanhes have grazed on the crown of your head.
17. Have you not brought this on yourself, when He led you in the way?
18. But now, what is on the road to Egypt? Drinking the waters of the Nile? Or what is on the road to Assyria? Drinking the waters of the Euphrates?
19. Your own wickedness will rebuke you and your backslidings will chide you. Know then and see how bad and bitter it is for you to forsake Adonai your God. Nor is fear of Me in you.” It is a declaration of the Lord Adonai-Tzva’ot.
20. “Indeed, long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds. You said, ‘I will not serve!’ Instead, on every high hill and under every green tree you sprawled out as a prostitute.
21. Yet I had planted you as a choice vine from completely faithful seed. How then did you become to Me a wandering wild vine?
22. Even though you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your iniquity is before Me.” It is a declaration of the Lord Adonai.