15. I will cast you out of my sight, as I cast away all your kindred, all the offspring of Ephraim.
16. You, now, must not intercede for this people! Do not raise a cry or prayer in their behalf! Do not press me, for I will not listen to you!
17. Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem?
18. The children gather wood, their fathers light the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven, while libations are poured out to other gods—all to offend me!
19. Are they really offending me—oracle of the Lord—or rather themselves, to their own disgrace?