¹⁷ Have you not brought all this upon yourself
    by forsaking the Lord, your God,
    when he guided you along the way?
¹⁸ What advantage would you now achieve
    by traveling to Egypt
    to drink the waters of the Nile?
What would you gain by traveling to Assyria
    to drink the waters of the Euphrates?
¹⁹ Your wickedness will bring about your punishment,
    and your infidelities will condemn you.
Therefore, concentrate your thoughts
    and see how bitter it is
    to forsake the Lord, your God,
and to have no fear of me,
    says the Lord, the God of hosts.