Old Testament · Jeremiah

Jeremiah 2

Israel Has Forsaken God

1And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the LORD: I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, your going after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

3Holy is Israel to the LORD, the firstfruits of his increase; all that devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come upon them, declares the LORD.

4Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5Thus says the LORD: What injustice have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?

6And they did not say, Where is the LORD who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and the shadow of death, in a land through which no man^a passed, and where no man^b dwelt?
7And I brought you into a land of the fruitful field, to eat its fruit and its goodness; but you came and defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.
8The priests did not say, Where is the LORD? And those who handle the Torah did not know me; and the shepherds transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
9Therefore I will yet contend with you, declares the LORD, and with your children's children will I contend.
10For pass over to the isles of the Kittim, and see; and send to Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing.
11Has a nation changed its gods, which are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
12Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and shudder; be utterly desolate, declares the LORD.
13For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living^c waters, to hew out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

The Consequence of Israel’s Sin

14Is Israel a servant? Is he a home-born slave? Why has he become a prey?
15Against him the young lions roar, they give out their voice; and they have made his land a desolation; his cities are burned, without inhabitant.
16Also the sons of Noph and Tahpanhes feed on the crown of your head.
17Have you not done this to yourself, in that you have forsaken the LORD your God, at the time he led you in the way?
18And now what have you to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? Or what have you to do with the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?
19Your own evil shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you; know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and that my fear is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts^d.
20For of old I broke your yoke, I burst your bands; and you said, I will not transgress; for upon every high hill and under every leafy tree you bowed down, playing the harlot.
21And I planted you a choice vine, wholly a seed of truth; how then have you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine to me?
22For though you wash with natron, and use much soap, your iniquity is marked before me, declares the Lord GOD.

Israel’s Unfaithfulness

(Judges 2:10–15; Isaiah 43:22–28)

23How 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 young she-camel traversing her ways;
24a wild ass used to the wilderness, in the desire of her soul^e she snuffs up the wind^f; her lust—who can turn it back? All who seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
25Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst; but you said, There is no hope; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them I will go.
26As the shame of a thief when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
27saying to a tree, You are my father, and to a stone, You brought me forth; for they have turned to me the back of the neck, and not the face; but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save^g us.
28And where are your gods that you have made for yourself? 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.
29Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the LORD.
30In vain have I struck your children; they received no correction; your sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

31O generation, see the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, We roam free; we will come no more to you?

32Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
33How well you direct your way to seek love! Therefore even the wicked women you have taught your ways.
34Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor; you did not find them breaking in; but for all these things.
35And you said, Surely I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me. Behold, I will enter into judgment with you, because you say, I have not sinned.
36Why do you go about so much to change your way? You shall be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria.
37Also from this one you shall go forth, with your hands on your head; for the LORD has rejected those in whom you trust, and you shall not prosper by them.