2:14–19. These verses are addressed to two entities, each of whom represents the people. Verses 14–16 speak directly of “Israel,” and the “you” of verses 17–19 is addressed to Jerusalem. The tragic example of Israel (here, the northern kingdom) serves to highlight the precarious position of Jeremiah’s contemporaries in Judah. The defection from Yahweh shows itself institutionally in the political realm as Judah has become entangled with Egypt and Assyria (for historical details, see the introduction).