13. “My people have done two things wrong.They have abandoned me,the fountain of life-giving water.They have also dug their own cisterns,broken cisterns that can’t hold water.
14. “Are the people of Israel slaves?Were they born into slavery?Why, then, have they become someone’s property?
15. Young lions have roared very loudly at them.Young lions have turned the land into a wasteland.The cities have been burned down, and everyone has left.
16. People from Noph and Tahpanhes have cracked your skulls, Israel.
17. You have brought this on yourselfby abandoning the Lord your Godwhen he led you on his way.
18. You won’t gain anything by going to Egyptto drink water from the Nile River.You won’t gain anything by going to Assyriato drink water from the Euphrates River.
19. Your own wickedness will correct you,and your unfaithful ways will punish you.You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for youif you abandon the Lord your God and do not fear me,”declares the Almighty Lord of Armies.
20. “Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your chains,and said that you wouldn’t be a slave.You lay down and acted like a prostituteon every high hill and under every large tree.
21. I planted you like a choice grapevine from the very best seed.Now you have turned against me and have become a wild vine.
22. Even if you wash with detergent and use a lot of soap,I would still see the stains from your wickedness,”declares the Almighty Lord.
23. “How can you say that you haven’t dishonored yourselvesand haven’t followed other gods—the Baals?Look how you’ve behaved in the valley.Acknowledge what you’ve done.You are like a young camel that swiftly runs here and there.