13. “My people have done two sins.They have turned away from me.And I am the spring of living water.And they have dug their own wells.But they are broken wells that cannot hold water.
14. Have the people of Israel become slaves?Have they become like someone who was born a slave?Why was their wealth stolen?
15. Enemies roar like lions at Israel.They growl at Israel.They have destroyed the land of Israel.The cities of Israel have been burned,and all the people have left.
16. The men from the Egyptian cities of Memphis and Tahpanheshave disgraced you by shaving the top of your head.
17. You have brought this on yourselves.You turned away from me, the Lord your God,when I led you in the way.
18. It did not help to go to Egyptand drink from the Shihor River.It did not help to go to Assyriaand drink from the Euphrates River.
19. Your evil will bring punishment to you.The wrong you have done will teach you a lesson.Think about it and understand.It is a terrible evil to turn away from the Lord your God.It is wrong not to fear me,”says the Lord, the Lord of heaven’s armies.
20. “A long time ago you refused to obey me as an ox breaks its yoke.You broke the ropes I used to hold you to me.You said to me, ‘I will not serve you!’In fact, on every high hilland under every green treeyou lay down as a prostitute.
21. I planted you as a special vine.You were like very good seed.How then did you turninto a wild vine that grows bad fruit?
22. You might wash yourself with cleanser.And you might use much soap.But I can still see the stain of your guilt,” says the Lord God.
23. “How can you say to me, ‘I am not guilty.I have not worshiped the Baal idols’?Think about the things you did in the valley.Think about what you have done.You are like a she-camel in mating seasonthat runs from place to place.
24. You are like a wild donkey that lives in the desert.At mating time she sniffs the wind.At that time no one can hold her back.Any male who chases her will easily catch her.At mating time, it is easy to find her.
25. Don’t run until your feet are bareor until your throat is dry.But you say, ‘It’s no use!I love those other gods.I must worship them!’
26. “A thief is ashamed when someone catches him stealing.In the same way the family of Israel is ashamed.The kings and the officers,the priests and the prophets are ashamed.
27. They say to things of wood, ‘You are my father.’They say to idols of stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’Those people won’t look at me.They have turned their backs to me.But when they get into trouble, they say,‘Come and save us!’
28. Where are the idols you have made for yourselves?Let them come and save youwhen you are in trouble!People of Judah, you have as many idolsas you have towns!
29. “Why do you accuse me?All of you have turned against me,” says the Lord.
30. “I punished your people, but it did not help.They didn’t come back when they were punished.You killed with your swords the prophets who came to you.You were like a dangerous lion.
31. “People of Judah, pay attention to the word of the Lord:Have I been like a desert to the people of Israel?Have I been like a dark and dangerous land to them?Why do my people say, ‘We are free to wander.We won’t come to you anymore’?
32. A young woman does not forget her jewelry.A bride does not forget the decorations for her dress.But my people have forgotten mefor more days than can be counted!