18 What do you think you will gain by going to Egyptto drink water from the Nile?What do you think you will gain by going to Assyriato drink water from the Euphrates?
19 Your own evil will punish you,and your turning from me will condemn you.You will learn how bitter and wrong it isto abandon me, the Lord your God,and no longer to remain faithful to me.I, the Sovereign Lord Almighty, have spoken.”
20 The Sovereign Lord says,“Israel, long ago you rejected my authority;you refused to obey me and worship me.On every high hilland under every green treeyou worshiped fertility gods.
21 I planted you like a choice vinefrom the very best seed.But look what you have become!You are like a rotten, worthless vine.
22 Even if you washed with the strongest soap,I would still see the stain of your guilt.
23 How can you say you have not defiled yourself,that you have never worshiped Baal?Look how you sinned in the valley;see what you have done.You are like a wild camel in heat,running around loose,
24 rushing into the desert.When she is in heat, who can control her?No male that wants her has to trouble himself;she is always available in mating season.