Jeremiah 2
1 The word of the LORD came to me:
2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the LORD says: «I remember your youthful devotion, the love of your betrothal, when you followed me through the wilderness, through a land where no one sows.
3 Israel was set apart for the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who devoured him became guilty, and disaster came upon them, declares the LORD.»’”
4 Hear the word of the LORD, house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel.
5 This is what the LORD says: “What wrong did your ancestors find in me, that they turned away from me? They followed what is empty and became empty.
6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD, who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of open plains and pits, a land of drought and deep darkness, a land no one travels through and where no one lives?’
7 I brought you into a fertile land, to eat its fruit and good things. But you came in and defiled my land, and made my inheritance detestable.
8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me. The shepherds rebelled against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed what is worthless.
9 So I will still bring charges against you, declares the LORD, and against your children’s children.
10 Cross over to the islands of Kittim and look; send word to Kedar and observe carefully. See whether anything like this has ever happened.
11 Has any nation exchanged its gods, even though they are not gods? But my people have exchanged their glory for what is worthless.
12 Be appalled at this, heavens; shudder and be utterly devastated, declares the LORD.”
13 “For my people have committed two evils: they have abandoned me, the spring of living water, and dug cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.
14 Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why has he become prey?
15 Young lions roared against him and raised their voices. They made his land desolate, and his cities were burned, with no one living in them.
16 Even the people of Noph and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head.
17 Did you not bring this on yourself by abandoning the LORD your God while he was leading you on the way?
18 And now, 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 River?
19 Your own wickedness will discipline you, and your unfaithfulness will rebuke you. Know and see how evil and bitter it is to abandon the LORD your God and have no fear of me, declares the Lord GOD of Armies.
20 For long ago you broke your yoke and snapped your bonds, and said, ‘I will not transgress.’ Yet on every high hill and under every leafy tree you sprawled like a prostitute.
21 I planted you as a choice vine, wholly from true seed. How, then, have you turned into a wild, foreign vine for me?
22 Even if you wash with lye and use plenty of soap, your guilt remains marked before me, declares the Lord GOD.
23 How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not gone after the Baals’? Look at your path in the valley; consider what you have done. You are a swift young camel running back and forth on its paths.
24 You are a wild donkey, accustomed to the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the heat of your desire. Who can restrain her in her rut? None of those seeking her need wear themselves out; in her season they find her.
25 Keep your feet from going barefoot and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It’s hopeless! No, I love strangers, and I will follow them.’”
26 “As a thief is put to shame when caught, so the house of Israel has been put to shame: they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets.
27 They say to a piece of wood, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their backs to me, not their faces. But when disaster comes, they say, ‘Rise up and save us!’
28 Where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up, if they can save you in your time of disaster! For your gods, Judah, are as numerous as your cities.
29 Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me, declares the LORD.
30 I struck your children in vain; they would not accept correction. Your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravaging lion.
31 You of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of deep darkness? Why do my people say, ‘We roam freely; we will never come back to you’?
32 Does a young woman forget her jewelry, or a bride her ribbons? Yet my people have forgotten me for countless days.
33 How skillfully you arrange your way to seek love! That is why you have even taught your ways to wicked women.
34 Even on the hems of your clothes was found the blood of innocent poor people. I did not find them breaking into a house; it was because of all these things.
35 Yet you say, ‘I am innocent; his anger has turned away from me.’ Look, I am bringing charges against you because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’
36 Why do you roam about so much, changing your course? You will be put to shame by Egypt too, just as you were put to shame by Assyria.
37 You will also leave there with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust, and you will not succeed with them.”
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app