Jeremiah 2

1The word of Yahweh came to me:

2“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: This is what Yahweh says: I remember your loyalty when you were young, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

3Israel was holy to Yahweh, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it were held guilty; disaster came on them, declares Yahweh.”

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

5This is what Yahweh says: What wrong did your ancestors find in me, that they went so far from me? They went after what is empty and became empty themselves.

6They did not ask, “Where is Yahweh, who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and deep darkness, a land that no one crosses and where no one lives?”

7I brought you into a land like a garden, to eat its fruit and its good things. But you came in and defiled my land; you made my inheritance something detestable.

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 went after things that do no good.

9So I will bring charges against you again, declares Yahweh, and I will bring charges against your children’s children.

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

11Has a nation ever exchanged its gods, even though they are not gods? But my people have exchanged their Glory for what does no good.

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

13For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and they have dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.

14Is Israel a slave? Was he born a slave in the household? Then why has he become plunder?

15Young lions have roared over him; they have raised their voices. They have made his land a waste; his cities are burned and left without inhabitants.

16Even the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head.

17Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking Yahweh your God when he was leading you on the way?

18Now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Shihor? What do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

19Your own evil will discipline you, and your unfaithfulness will convict you. Know, then, and see how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake Yahweh your God, and to have no fear of me, declares the Lord Yahweh of Armies.

20For long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds, and you said, “I will not transgress.” Yet on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.

21I planted you as a choice vine, all from true seed. How then have you turned against me into the wild shoots of a foreign vine?

22Even if you wash yourself with lye and use a great deal of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord Yahweh.

23How can you say, “I am not defiled; I have not gone after the Baals”? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done—a swift young camel running back and forth,

24a wild donkey used to the wilderness, sniffing the wind in her craving! In her heat who can hold her back? None who look for her need to tire themselves; in her month they will find her.

25Keep your feet from going bare and your throat from thirst. But you said, “It is hopeless! No, for I love foreigners, and I will go after them.”

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

27who say to a tree, “You are my father,” and to a stone, “You gave birth to us.” For they have turned their backs to me and not their faces, yet in the time of their trouble they say, “Get up and save us!”

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

29Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me, declares Yahweh.

30In vain I struck your children; they did not accept correction. Your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravaging lion.

31You people of this generation, consider the word of Yahweh! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of deep darkness? Why do my people say, “We roam free; we will not come to you anymore”?

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

33How skillfully you pursue your way to seek love! So you have even taught your ways to wicked women.

34On your skirts, too, is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor. You did not catch them breaking in. Yet in spite of all this,

35you say, “I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me.” Now I am about to bring you to judgment because you say, “I have not sinned.”

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

37From there too you will go out with your hands on your head, for Yahweh has rejected those you trust, and you will not succeed with them.