Jeremiah 2:18
Good News Translation
What do you think you will gain by going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile? What do you think you will gain by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates?

New Revised Standard Version
What then do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria, to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

Contemporary English Version
and you trusted the power of Egypt and Assyria.

New American Bible
And now, why go to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? Why go to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the troubled water? And what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of the river?

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the troubled water? And what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of the river?

what hast

Jeremiah 2:36 How exceeding base art thou become, going the same ways over again! and thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

Jeremiah 37:5-10 And the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, saying: . . .

Isaiah 30:1-7 Woe to you, apostate children, saith the Lord, that you would take counsel, and not of me: and would begin a web, and not by my spirit, that you might add sin upon sin: . . .

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, trusting in horses, and putting their confidence in chariots, because they are many: and in horsemen, because they are very strong: and have not trusted in the Holy One of Israel, and have not sought after the Lord.

Lamentations 4:17 Ain. While we were yet standing, our eyes failed, expecting help for us in vain, when we looked attentively towards a nation that was not able to save.

Ezekiel 17:15 But he hath revolted from him and sent ambassadors to Egypt, that it might give him horses, and much people. And shall he that hath done thus prosper, or be saved? and shall he escape that hath broken the covenant?

Hosea 7:11 And Ephraim is become as a dove that is decoyed, not having a heart: they called upon Egypt, they went to the Assyrians.

Sihor

Joshua 13:3 From the troubled river, that watereth Egypt, unto the border of Accaron northward: the land of Chanaan, which is divided among the lords of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Azotians, the Ascalonites, the Gethites, and the Accronites.

or what hast

2 Kings 16:7-9 And Achaz sent messengers to Theglathphalasar, king of the Assyrians, saying: I am thy servant, and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who are risen up together against me. . . .

2 Chronicles 28:20,21 And he brought against him Thelgathphalnasar king of the Assyrians, who also afflicted him, and plundered him without any resistance. . . .

Hosea 5:13 And Ephraim saw his sickness, and Juda his band: and Ephraim went to the Assyrian, and sent to the avenging king: and he shall not be able to heal you, neither shall he be able to take off the band from you.

Context
The Consequences of Israel's Sin
17Hath not this been done to thee, because thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God at that time, when he led thee by the way? 18And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the troubled water? And what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of the river?19Thy own wickedness shall reprove thee, and thy apostasy shall rebuke thee. Know thou, and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing for thee, to have left the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not with thee, saith the Lord the God of hosts.…
Cross References
Joshua 13:3
From the troubled river, that watereth Egypt, unto the border of Accaron northward: the land of Chanaan, which is divided among the lords of the Philistines, the Gazites, the Azotians, the Ascalonites, the Gethites, and the Accronites.

Isaiah 7:20
In that day the Lord shall shave with a razor that is hired by them that are beyond the river, by the king of the Assyrians, the head and the hairs of the feet, and the whole beard.

Isaiah 23:3
The seed of the Nile in many waters, the harvest of the river is her revenue: and she is become the mart of the nations.

Isaiah 30:2
Who walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth, hoping for help in the strength of Pharao, and trusting in the shadow of Egypt.

Jeremiah 37:7
And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.

Ezekiel 16:28
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Assyrians, because thou wast not yet satisfied: and after thou hadst played the harlot with them, even so thou wast not contented.

Jeremiah 2:17
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