Jeremiah 2

1Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 2the love of your weddings; in a land that was not sown. “I remember for you the kindness of your youth, how you went after me in the wilderness, “Go, and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Yahweh says, 3the first fruits of his increase. Evil shall come on them,”’ says Yahweh.” Israel was holiness to Yahweh, All who devour him shall be held guilty. 4Hear Yahweh’s word, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel! 5that they have gone far from me, and have become worthless? “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, and have walked after worthless vanity, Yahweh says, 6who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that no one passed through, and where no man lived?’ They didn’t say, ‘Where is Yahweh who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, 7to eat its fruit and its goodness; and made my heritage an abomination. I brought you into a plentiful land, but when you entered, you defiled my land, 8and those who handle the law didn’t know me. and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and followed things that do not profit. The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ The rulers also transgressed against me, 9“and I will contend with your children’s children. “Therefore I will yet contend with you,” says Yahweh, 10and send to Kedar, and consider diligently; and see if there has been such a thing. For pass over to the islands of Kittim, and see; 11which really are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Has a nation changed its gods, 12and be horribly afraid. Be very desolate,” says Yahweh. “Be astonished, you heavens, at this, 13they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. “For my people have committed two evils: 14Is he a born into slavery? Why has he become a captive? Is Israel a slave? 15They have made his land waste. His cities are burned up, without inhabitant. The young lions have roared at him, and yelled. 16The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head. 17* when he led you by the way? “Haven’t you brought this on yourself, 18* Now what do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? 19and your backsliding will rebuke you. that you have forsaken Yahweh your God, and that my fear is not in you,” says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies. “Your own wickedness will correct you, Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing, 20and burst your bonds. for on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself, playing the prostitute. “For long ago I broke off your yoke, You said, ‘I will not serve;’ 21a pure and faithful seed. How then have you turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine to me? Yet I had planted you a noble vine, 22and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me,” says the Lord Yahweh. For though you wash yourself with lye, 23I have not gone after the Baals’? Know what you have done. “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled. See your way in the valley. You are a swift dromedary traversing her ways; 24When she is in heat, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves. In her month, they will find her. a wild donkey used to the wilderness, that sniffs the wind in her craving. 25and your throat from thirst. No, for I have loved strangers, and I will go after them.’ “Keep your feet from being bare, But you said, ‘It is in vain. 26so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets; As the thief is ashamed when he is found, 27and a stone, ‘You have given birth to me:’ and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise, and save us.’ who tell wood, ‘You are my father;’ for they have turned their back to me, 28Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble: for you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah. “But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? 29You all have transgressed against me,” says Yahweh. “Why will you contend with me? 30They received no correction. like a destroying lion. “I have struck your children in vain. Your own sword has devoured your prophets, 31Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Or a land of thick darkness? We will come to you no more?’ Generation, consider Yahweh’s word. Why do my people say, ‘We have broken loose. 32or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number. “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, 33Therefore you have even taught the wicked women your ways. How well you prepare your way to seek love! 34You did not find them breaking in; but it is because of all these things. Also the blood of the souls of the innocent poor is found in your skirts. 35Surely his anger has turned away from me.’ because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ “Yet you said, ‘I am innocent. “Behold, I will judge you, 36You will be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria. Why do you go about so much to change your ways? 37for Yahweh has rejected those in whom you trust, and you won’t prosper with them. You will also leave that place with your hands on your head;