Jeremiah 2

1And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

2Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh: I remember for you the faithful love of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.’

3Israel was holy to Yahweh, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured him became guilty; disaster came upon them, declares Yahweh.

4Hear the word of Yahweh, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel.

5Thus says Yahweh: What wrong did your fathers find in me, that they went far from me, and went after vanity, and became vain?

6They did not say, ‘Where is Yahweh, who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of desert plain and pit, through a land of drought and deep darkness, through a land where no man passed through and no human dwelt?’

7I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and its goodness, but when you came in, you defiled my land and made my inheritance an abomination.

8The priests did not say, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds rebelled against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.

9Therefore I will still contend with you, declares Yahweh, and with your children's children I will contend.

10For cross over to the coasts of Kittim and see; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see whether there has ever been anything like this.

11Has a nation changed its gods—though they are not gods? Yet my people have changed their glory for what does not profit.

12Be appalled at this, O heavens; shudder, be utterly desolate, declares Yahweh.

13For my people have done two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, to dig for themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

14Is Israel a servant, or a homeborn servant? Why then has he become plunder?

15Young lions roar against him; they raise their voice. They make his land a desolation; his cities are burned, without inhabitant.

16Even the sons of Noph and Tahpanhes have grazed your crown.

17Has not this brought it upon you, because you have forsaken Yahweh your God when he was leading you in the way?

18And now, what have you to do with the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? And what have you to do with the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

19Your evil will discipline you, and your apostasies will reprove you. So know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake Yahweh your God, and that my fear is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

20For long ago I broke your yoke; I tore off your bonds. But you said, “I will not serve.” Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree, you sprawled out as a prostitute.

21Yet I planted you as a choice vine, wholly of true seed. How then have you turned for me into the degenerate shoots of a foreign vine?

22For though you wash with natron and use much lye, your guilt is stained before me, declares the Lord YHWH.

23How can you say, ‘I have not defiled myself; I have not gone after the Baals’? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done— a swift young she-camel, twisting her ways.

24A wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, in the craving of her appetite sniffs the wind; in her heat, who can turn her back? All who seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they will find her.

25Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, “It is hopeless! No, for I have loved strangers, and after them I will go.”

26As a thief is ashamed when he is found, so the house of Israel has been put to shame—they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets.

27They say to a tree, “You are my father,” and to a stone, “You gave birth to me.” For they have turned their back to me and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they say, “Rise up and save us!”

28But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble. For your gods, Judah, are as many as your cities.

29Why do you contend with me? All of you have rebelled against me, declares Yahweh.

30In vain I struck your sons; they accepted no correction. Your sword devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.

31O generation, you yourselves, see the word of Yahweh: Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of deep darkness? Why has my people said, ‘We are lords; we will come to you no more’?”

32Does a virgin forget her jewelry, or a bride her ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number.

33How well you make your way to seek love! Therefore even evil women you have taught your ways.

34Even on your skirts is found the blood of the lives of innocent poor people. I did not find them in a break-in, but on account of all these things.

35Yet you said, “I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me.” Behold, I am entering into judgment with you because you say, “I have not sinned.”

36Why do you go about so much, changing your way? You will also be put to shame by Egypt, as you were put to shame by Assyria.

37From this one too you will go out with your hands on your head, for Yahweh has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper through them.