2Jeremiah 2

1Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,Select Jeremiah 2:1

2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the LORD; I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.Select Jeremiah 2:2

3Israel was holiness to the LORD, and the first fruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come on them, says the LORD.Select Jeremiah 2:3

4Hear you the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: ¶Select Jeremiah 2:4

5Thus says the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?Select Jeremiah 2:5

6Neither said they, Where is the LORD 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 no man passed through, and where no man dwelled?Select Jeremiah 2:6

7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.Select Jeremiah 2:7

8The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. ¶Select Jeremiah 2:8

9Why I will yet plead with you, says the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead.Select Jeremiah 2:9

10For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send to Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.Select Jeremiah 2:10

11Has a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.Select Jeremiah 2:11

12Be astonished, O you heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be you very desolate, says the LORD.Select Jeremiah 2:12

13For 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. ¶Select Jeremiah 2:13

14Is Israel a servant? is he a home born slave? why is he spoiled?Select Jeremiah 2:14

15The young lions roared on him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.Select Jeremiah 2:15

16Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of your head.Select Jeremiah 2:16

17Have you not procured this to yourself, in that you have forsaken the LORD your God, when he led you by the way?Select Jeremiah 2:17

18And now what have you to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what have you to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?Select Jeremiah 2:18

19Your own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and that my fear is not in you, says the Lord GOD of hosts. ¶Select Jeremiah 2:19

20For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bands; and you said, I will not transgress; when on every high hill and under every green tree you wander, playing the harlot.Select Jeremiah 2:20

21Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then are you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine to me?Select Jeremiah 2:21

22For though you wash you with nitre, and take you much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me, says the Lord GOD.Select Jeremiah 2:22

23How can you say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see your way in the valley, know what you have done: you are a swift dromedary traversing her ways;Select Jeremiah 2:23

24A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffs up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.Select Jeremiah 2:24

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 will I go.Select Jeremiah 2:25

26As 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.Select Jeremiah 2:26

27Saying 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.Select Jeremiah 2:27

28But 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.Select Jeremiah 2:28

29Why will you plead with me? you all have transgressed against me, says the LORD.Select Jeremiah 2:29

30In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. ¶Select Jeremiah 2:30

31O generation, see you the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? a land of darkness? why say my people, We are lords; we will come no more to you?Select Jeremiah 2:31

32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.Select Jeremiah 2:32

33Why trim you your way to seek love? therefore have you also taught the wicked ones your ways.Select Jeremiah 2:33

34Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but on all these.Select Jeremiah 2:34

35Yet you say, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with you, because you say, I have not sinned.Select Jeremiah 2:35

36Why gad you about so much to change your way? you also shall be ashamed of Egypt, as you were ashamed of Assyria.Select Jeremiah 2:36

37Yes, you shall go forth from him, and your hands on your head: for the LORD has rejected your confidences, and you shall not prosper in them.Select Jeremiah 2:37