Jeremiah 2:14-28 - Consequences Of Apostasy
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 at them. Young lions have turned the land into waste. The cities have been destroyed, without inhabitant. 16 Men from Noph (Memphis, capital city of Egypt) and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head, Israel. 17 You have done this to yourself by abandoning Jehovah your God when he led you on his way. 18 Why are you going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile (Shihor) River? You will not gain anything by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates River. 19 Your own wickedness will correct you. Your apostasies (unfaithful ways) will punish you! You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you when you abandon Jehovah your God! You do not respect (reverence) me, says the Sovereign Lord Jehovah of Hosts.
20 Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your bonds, and said that you would not be a slave. You lay down and acted like a prostitute on 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 If you wash with detergent and use a lot of soap, I would still see the stains from your wickedness, says the Lord Jehovah. 23 How can you say, 'I have not been dishonored and have not gone after the Baal gods?' Look how you have behaved in the valley. Acknowledge what you have done. You are like a young camel that swiftly runs here and there. 24 You are like a wild donkey accustomed to the desert. You sniff at the wind while in heat. All who seek you will not get tired. They will find you during your monthly period. 25 Do not run until your feet are bare and your throats are dry. But you say that it is useless. You love foreign gods and follow them.
26 As a thief feels ashamed when he is caught, so the nation of Israel will feel ashamed. Their kings, princes, priests, and prophets will also feel ashamed. 27 You call wood your father. You call stone your mother. You turned your backs, not your faces, to me. But when you are in trouble, you ask me to come and rescue you. 28 Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them come and rescue you when you have trouble. You have as many gods as you have cities, Judah!