BAAL, 1. An idol of the Phoenicians, god of the sun
8. The priests didn't say, 'Where is The LORD?'and those who handle the law didn't know me.The rulers also transgressed against me,and the prophets prophesied by BAAL,and followed things that do not profit.
9. "Therefore I will yet contend with you," says The LORD,"and I will contend with your children's children.
10. For pass over to the islands of Kittim, and see;and send to Kedar, and consider diligently;and see if there has been such a thing.
11. Has a nation changed its gods,which really are no gods?But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
12. "Be astonished, you heavens, at this,and be horribly afraid.Be very desolate," says The LORD.
13. "For my people have committed two evils:they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters,and cut them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
14. Is Israel a slave?Is he born into slavery?Why has he become a captive?
15. The young lions have roared at him, and yelled.They have made his land waste.His cities are burned up, without inhabitant.
16. The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.
17. "Haven't you brought this on yourself,in that you have forsaken the LORD your
God, when he led you by the way?
18. Now what do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor?Or why do you to go on the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?
19. "Your own wickedness will correct you,and your backsliding will rebuke you.Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing,that you have forsaken the LORD your God,and that my fear is not in you," says the Lord, the LORD of Hosts.
20. "For long ago I broke off your yoke,and burst your bonds.You said, 'I will not serve;'for on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself,playing the prostitute.
21. Yet I had planted you a noble vine,a pure and faithful seed.How then have you turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine to me?
22. For though you wash yourself with lye,and use much soap,yet your iniquity is marked before me," says the Lord God.
23. "How can you say, 'I am not defiled.I have not gone after the BAALs'?See your way in the valley.Know what you have done.You are a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to BAAL, and walk after other gods that you have not known,