Jeremiah 2
1The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 1
2“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem. Say, 'Yahweh says this: 1 I have called to mind on your behalf the covenant faithfulness in your youthfulness, your love at the time when we were engaged, 1 when you went after me in the wilderness, the land that was not sown. 1
3Israel was set apart to Yahweh, the firstfruits of his harvest! 1 All who ate from the firstfruits were held guilty; disaster came upon them—this is Yahweh's declaration.'” 1
4Hear the word of Yahweh, house of Jacob, all you clans of the house of Israel. 1
5Yahweh says this, “What did your fathers find wrong with me, that they went far from following me? 1 That they went after useless idols and became useless themselves? 1
6They did not say, 'Where is Yahweh, who brought us up from the land of Egypt? 1 Where is Yahweh, who led us to the wilderness, into the land of the Arabah and pits, 1 in a land of drought and deep darkness, 1 a land through which no one passes and where no one lives?' 1
7But I brought you to the land of Carmel, to eat its fruit and other good things! 1 Yet when you came, you defiled my land, you made my inheritance an abomination! 1
8The priest did not say, 'Where is Yahweh?' and the experts in the law did not care about me! 1 The shepherds transgressed against me. The prophets prophesied for Baal and walked after unprofitable things. 1
9So I will still accuse you—this is Yahweh's declaration—and I will accuse your sons' sons. 1
10For cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look. Send messengers out to Kedar and find out 1 and see if there has ever before been anything like this. 1
11Has a nation exchanged gods, even though they were not gods? 1 But my people have exchanged their glory for what cannot help them. + 2:11 Instead of their glory , some ancient copies have my glory . 1
12Shudder, heavens, because of this! Be shocked and horrified—this is Yahweh's declaration. 1
13For my people have committed two evils against me: They have abandoned the springs of living waters, 1 and they have dug out cisterns for themselves, 1 broken cisterns that cannot hold water. 1
14Is Israel a slave? Was he born in his master's home? So why has he become plunder? 1
15Young lions roared against him. They made a lot of noise and made his land a horror. 1 His cities are destroyed without any inhabitants. 1
16Also, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes will shave your skull. 1
17Did you not do this to yourselves 1 when you abandoned Yahweh your God, while he was leading you along the way? 1
18So now, why take the road to Egypt and drink the waters of Shihor? 1 Why take the road to Assyria and drink the waters of the Euphrates River? 1
19Your wickedness rebukes you, and your faithlessness punishes you. So think about it and understand that it is wicked and bitter 1 when you forsake Yahweh your God, and have no fear of me—this is the declaration of Lord Yahweh of hosts. 1
20For I broke your yoke that you had in ancient days; I tore your fetters off you. Still you said, 1 'I will not serve!' since you bowed down on every high hill and beneath every leafy tree, you adulterer. 1
21I planted you as a choice vine, completely from pure seed. 1 How then have you have changed yourself into a corrupt, worthless vine? 1
22For even if you clean yourself in the river or wash with strong soap, 1 your iniquity is a stain before me—this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh. 1
23How can you say, 'I am not defiled! I have not walked after the Baals'? 1 Look at what you did in the valleys! Consider what you have done—you are a swift female camel running here and there, 1
24a wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! 1 Who can restrain her lust? None of the males need wear themselves out pursuing her; at mating time they will find her. 1
25You must restrain your feet from becoming bare and your throat from being thirsty! 1 But you have said, 'It is hopeless! No, I love strangers and go after them!' 1
26Like the shame of a thief when he is found, so the house of Israel will be ashamed— 1 they, their kings, their princes, and their priests and prophets! 1
27These are the ones who say to the tree, 'You are my father,' and to the stone, 'You gave birth to me.' 1 For their back faces me and not their faces. Nevertheless, they say in the time of troubles, 'Arise and save us!' 1
28Yet where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them arise if they wish to save you in your time of troubles, 1 for your idols equal your cities in number, Judah! 1
29So why do you accuse me of doing wrong? All of you have sinned against me—this is Yahweh's declaration. 1
30I have punished your people in vain. They would not accept discipline. 1 Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destructive lion! 1
31You who belong to this generation! Pay attention to my word, the word of Yahweh! Have I been a wilderness to Israel? 1 Or a land of deep darkness? Why would my people say, 'Let us wander around, we will not go to you anymore'? 1
32Will a virgin forget her jewelry, a bride her veils? 1 Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number! 1
33How well you make your way to look for love. 1 You have even taught your ways to wicked women. 1
34The blood that was the life of innocent, poor people has been found on your clothes. 1 These people were not discovered in acts of burglary. 1
35Yet you say, 'I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me.' 1 But look! I will bring down judgment on you because you say, 'I have not sinned.' 1
36Why do you treat so very lightly this change in your ways? 1 You will also be disappointed by Egypt, just as you were by Assyria. 1
37You will also go out from there dejected, with your hands on your head, 1 for Yahweh has rejected the ones whom you trusted, so you will not be helped by them.”