2Jeremiah 2

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

2Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying: Thus saith the LORD: I remember for thee the affection of thy youth, the love of thine espousals; how thou wentest after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.Select Jeremiah 2:2

3Israel is the LORD'S hallowed portion, His first-fruits of the increase; all that devour him shall be held guilty, evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.Select Jeremiah 2:3

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

5Thus saith the LORD: What unrighteousness have your fathers found in Me, that they are gone far from Me, and have walked after things of nought, and are become nought?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 dwelt?'Select Jeremiah 2:6

7And I brought you into a land of fruitful fields, to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof; but when ye entered, ye 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, and the rulers transgressed against Me; the prophets also prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.Select Jeremiah 2:8

9Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.Select Jeremiah 2:9

10For pass over to the isles of the Kittites, and see, and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there hath been such a thing.Select Jeremiah 2:10

11Hath a nation changed its gods, which yet are no gods? But My people hath changed its glory for that which doth not profit.Select Jeremiah 2:11

12Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye exceeding amazed, saith 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 become a prey?Select Jeremiah 2:14

15The young lions have roared upon him, and let their voice resound; and they have made his land desolate, his cities are laid waste, without inhabitant.Select Jeremiah 2:15

16The children also of Noph and Tahpanhes feed upon the crown of thy head.Select Jeremiah 2:16

17Is it not this that doth cause it unto thee, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when He led thee by the way?Select Jeremiah 2:17

18And now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? Or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?Select Jeremiah 2:18

19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, neither is My fear in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.Select Jeremiah 2:19

20For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands, and thou saidst: 'I will not transgress'; upon every high hill and under every leafy tree thou didst recline, playing the harlot.Select Jeremiah 2:20

21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto Me?Select Jeremiah 2:21

22For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD.Select Jeremiah 2:22

23How canst thou say: 'I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baalim'? See thy way in the Valley, know what thou hast done; thou art a swift young camel traversing her ways;Select Jeremiah 2:23

24A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire; her lust, who can hinder it? All they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.Select Jeremiah 2:24

25Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst; but thou saidst: '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

27Who say to a stock: 'Thou art my father', and to a stone: 'Thou hast brought us forth', for they have turned their back unto 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 thy gods that thou hast made thee? Let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble; for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.Select Jeremiah 2:28

29Wherefore will ye contend with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, saith the LORD.Select Jeremiah 2:29

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

31O generation, see ye the word of the LORD: have I been a wilderness unto Israel? or a land of thick darkness? Wherefore say My people: 'We roam at large; we will come no more unto Thee'?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

33How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! Therefore — even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways;Select Jeremiah 2:33

34Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor; thou didst not find them breaking in; yet for all these thingsSelect Jeremiah 2:34

35Thou saidst: 'I am innocent; surely His anger is turned away from me' — behold, I will enter into judgment with thee, because thou sayest: 'I have not sinned.'Select Jeremiah 2:35

36How greatly dost thou cheapen thyself to change thy way? Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, as thou wast ashamed of Asshur.Select Jeremiah 2:36

37From him also shalt thou go forth, with thy hands upon thy head; for the LORD hath rejected them in whom thou didst trust, and thou shalt not prosper in them.Select Jeremiah 2:37