Israel’s Reliance on Foreign Alliances (not on God)

14 “Israel is not a slave, is he?

He was not born into slavery, was he?

If not, why then is he being carried off?

15 Like lions his enemies roar victoriously over him;

they raise their voices in triumph.

They have laid his land waste;

his cities have been burned down and deserted.

16 Even the soldiers from Memphis and Tahpanhes

have cracked your skulls, people of Israel.

17 You have brought all this on yourself, Israel,

by deserting the Lord your God when he was leading you along the right path.

18 What good will it do you then to go down to Egypt

to seek help from the Egyptians?

What good will it do you to go over to Assyria

to seek help from the Assyrians?

19 Your own wickedness will bring about your punishment.

Your unfaithful acts will bring down discipline on you.

Know, then, and realize how utterly harmful

it was for you to reject me, the Lord your God,

to show no respect for me,”

says the Lord God who rules over all.