Jeremiah 2:14-19

Common English Bible

¹⁴ Is Israel a slave,
    a servant by birth?
    If not, why then has he become prey?
¹⁵ Lions roar at him; they growl.
    They destroy his land
        and make his towns desolate
        until nothing is left.
¹⁶ As well, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes
    lay open your scalp.
¹⁷ Haven’t you brought this on yourself
    by abandoning the Lord your God,
        who has directed your paths?
¹⁸ So why take the path to Egypt
    to drink water from the Nile?
Why travel the path to Assyria
    to drink water from the Euphrates?
¹⁹ Your wrongdoing will punish you.
    Your acts of unfaithfulness will find you out.
Don’t you understand how terribly bitter
    it is to abandon the Lord your God
    and not fear me?
        declares the Lord of heavenly forces.