Jeremiah 2

1The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

2Go and call in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahweh: I remember the devotion of your youth, the love of your betrothals, how you followed after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

3Israel was consecrated to Yahweh, the first of his harvest; all who devour him will be guilty; calamity will come upon them, declares Yahweh.

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

5Thus says Yahweh, "What wrong have your fathers found in me, that they went far from me, walked after the 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 and pit, through a land of drought and shadow of death, through a land no man passed through, where no man dwelt?"

7I brought you into a fruitful land to eat its fruit and its goodness, but you entered and defiled my land, and made my inheritance an abomination.

8The priests did not ask, "Where is Yahweh?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds rebelled against me, the prophets prophesied by Baal, and followed things that do no good.

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

10Indeed, cross over to the islands of Kittim and see, send to Kedar and examine closely, and see whether such a thing has ever happened.

11Has a nation changed its gods, which are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for what brings no benefit.

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

13For my people have done two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and hewed cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

14Is Israel a servant? Is he born of the house? Why has he become prey?

15The young lions roared against him and bellowed; they turned his land into desolation, his cities burned out without inhabitant.

16Even the children of Noph and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.

17Haven't you done this to yourself by forsaking Yahweh your God when he led you in the way?

18Now what are you doing on the way to Egypt to drink the waters of Shihor? Or what are you doing on the way to Assyria to drink the waters of the River?

19Your wickedness will discipline you, and your backslidings will convict you. Know and see that evil and bitterness mark your forsaking Yahweh your God, and that fear of me is absent from you, declares Adonai Yahweh of Hosts.

20For long ago I broke your yoke and tore your bonds apart, and you said, "I will not serve or transgress"—on every lofty hill and beneath every lush tree you stray, prostituting yourself.

21Yet I planted you as a choice vine, wholly a faithful seed; how have you turned into a degenerate foreign vine to me?

22Though you wash with lye and take plenty of soap, your iniquity is marked before me, declares the Lord Yahweh.

23How do you say, “I am not defiled after the Baals; I have not gone”? See your way in the valley; know what you have done: a swift dromedary traversing her ways.

24A wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness sniffs the wind in her soul's desire; at her heat, who can turn her back? All who seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they will find her.

25Withhold your foot from going unshod, your place and your throat from thirst, but you said, "Hopeless—no, for I have loved foreigners and will go after them."

26As a thief is ashamed when he is found, so the house of Israel is ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets.

27Who say to a tree, "You are my father," and to a stone, "You bore me; you bore us," for they have turned their back to me, not their face, but in the time of their trouble they will say, "Arise, save us."

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

29Why do you contend with me? All of you have transgressed against me, says Yahweh.

30In vain I struck your children with correction; they received none. Your sword devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.

31Generation, behold the word of Yahweh. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, "We rule—we will come to you no more"?

32Does a virgin forget her jewels, or a bride her finery? Yet my people have forgotten me for countless days.

33How excellently you manage your way to seek love! Therefore you have even taught the wicked women your ways.

34Even the blood of needy innocents' souls is found on your skirts. You did not find them by secret search, but because of all these.

35Yet you said, "I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me." Behold, I will enter into judgment with you because of your claim, "I have not sinned."

36Why do you wander so much to change your way? You will be ashamed of Egypt too, as you were ashamed of Assyria.

37You will also go out from him, hands on your head, because Yahweh has rejected your confidences, and you will not succeed with them.