Jer 2
1
And the word of YHWH came to me, saying,
2
Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says YHWH, I remember for you the
kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals; how you went after me in the wilderness,
in a land that was not sown.
3
Israel [was] holiness to YHWH, the first-fruits of his increase: all that devour him
shall be held guilty; evil shall come upon them, says YHWH.
4
Hear you the word of YHWH, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of
Israel:
5
thus says YHWH, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are
gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
6
Neither said they, Where is YHWH that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that
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 none passed through, and
where no man dwelt?
7
And I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat its fruit and the goodness
thereof; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.
8
The priests said not, Where is YHWH? and they that handle the law knew me not: the
rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked
after things that do not profit.
9
Wherefore I will yet contend with you, says YHWH, and with your children`s children
will I contend.
10
For pass over to the isles of Kittim, and see; and send to Kedar, and consider diligently;
and see if there has been such a thing.
11
Has a nation changed [its] gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed
their glory for that which does not profit.
12
Be astonished, O you heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be you very desolate,
says YHWH.
13
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living
waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
14
Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born [slave]? why is he become a prey?
15
The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste:
his cities are burned up, without inhabitant.
16
The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.
17
Have you not procured this to yourself, in that you have forsaken YHWH your God, when
he led you by the way?
18
And now what have you to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor?
or what have you to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?
19
Your own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know
therefore and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that you have forsaken YHWH
your God, and that my fear is not in you, says the Lord, YHWH of hosts.
20
For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bonds; and you said, I will
not serve; for upon every high hill and under every green tree you did bow yourself,
playing the harlot.
21
Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then are you turned into
the degenerate branches of a foreign vine to me?
22
For though you wash you with lye, and take you much soap, yet your iniquity is marked
before me, says the Lord YHWH.
23
How can you say, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baalim? see your way
in the valley, know what you have done: [you are] a swift dromedary traversing her
ways;
24
a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffs up the wind in her desire; in her occasion
who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month
they shall find her.
25
Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst: but you said, It
is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
26
As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they,
their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets;
27
who say to a stock, You are my father; and to a stone, You have brought me forth:
for they have turned their back to me, and not their face; but in the time of their
trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
28
But where are your gods that you have made you? let them arise, if they can save you
in the time of your trouble: for according to the number of your cities are your gods,
O Judah.
29
Wherefore will you contend with me? you all have transgressed against me, says YHWH.
30
In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword
has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
31
O generation, see you the word of YHWH. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? or a land
of thick darkness? wherefore say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no more
to you?
32
Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten
me days without number.
33
How trim you your way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women have you taught
your ways.
34
Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor: you did
not find them breaking in; but it is because of all these things.
35
Yet you said, I am innocent; surely his anger is turned away from me. Behold, I will
enter into judgment with you, because you say, I have not sinned.
36
Why galivant you about so much to change your way? you shall be ashamed of Egypt also,
as you were ashamed of Assyria.
37
From there also shall you go forth, with your hands upon your head: for YHWH has rejected
those in whom you trust, and you shall not prosper with them.