5. This is what the Lord says:What did your ancestors find wrong with methat they went so far away from me?They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
6. They didn’t ask, “Where is the Lord,who brought us from Egypt?He led us through the desert,through a wasteland and its pits,a land of drought and the shadow of death.No one lives there or travels there.”
7. I brought them into a fertile landto eat its fruit and its produce.They came and made my land unclean.They made my property disgusting.
8. The priests didn’t ask, “Where is the Lord?”Those who deal with my teachings didn’t know me.The rulers rebelled against me.The prophets prophesied in the name of Baaland followed statues that couldn’t help them.
9. “That is why I am bringing charges against you,” declares the Lord,“and I am bringing charges against your grandchildren.
10. Go over to the coasts of Cyprus, and see.Send ⌊someone⌋ to Kedar, and observe closely.See if there has ever been anything like this.
11. Has any nation ever exchanged gods?(Their gods aren’t really gods.)Yet, my people have exchanged their Gloryfor something that doesn’t help them.
12. Be horrified over this, heaven.Be terribly afraid,” declares the Lord.
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.