Jeremiah 2 Parallel Bible

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	JPS JPS Tanakh 1917	ESV English Standard Version	NIV New International Version
1	And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:	The word of the LORD came to me, saying,	The word of the LORD came to me:
2	Go, 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.	“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD, “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.	“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: “This is what the LORD says: “’I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown.
3	Israel 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.	Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the LORD.”	Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,’” declares the LORD.
4	Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, And all the families of the house of Israel;	Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel.	Hear the word of the LORD, you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel.
5	Thus 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?	Thus says the LORD: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?	This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
6	Neither 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?'	They did not say, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?’	They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and utter darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’
7	And 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.	And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination.	I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.
8	The 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.	The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.	The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.
9	Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, And with your children's children will I plead.	“Therefore I still contend with you, declares the LORD, and with your children’s children I will contend.	“Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the LORD. “And I will bring charges against your children’s children.
10	For 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.	For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing.	Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this:
11	Hath a nation changed its gods, Which yet are no gods? But My people hath changed its glory For that which doth not profit.	Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.	Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.
12	Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid, be ye exceeding amazed, Saith the LORD.	Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD,	Be appalled at this, you heavens, and shudder with great horror,” declares the LORD.
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.	for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.	“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
14	Is Israel a servant? Is he a home-born slave? Why is he become a prey?	“Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become a prey?	Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth? Why then has he become plunder?
15	The 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.	The lions have roared against him; they have roared loudly. They have made his land a waste; his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant.	Lions have roared; they have growled at him. They have laid waste his land; his towns are burned and deserted.
16	The children also of Noph and Tahpanhes Feed upon the crown of thy head.	Moreover, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head.	Also, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have cracked your skull.
17	Is it not this that doth cause it unto thee, That thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, When He led thee by the way?	Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the LORD your God, when he led you in the way?	Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the LORD your God when he led you in the way?
18	And 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?	And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?	Now why go to Egypt to drink water from the Nile? And why go to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates?
19	Thine 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.	Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts.	Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me,” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.
20	For 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.	“For long ago I broke your yoke and burst your bonds; but you said, ‘I will not serve.’ Yes, on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed down like a whore.	“Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, ‘I will not serve you!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute.
21	Yet 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?	Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?	I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?
22	For though thou wash thee with nitre, And take thee much soap, Yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, Saith the Lord GOD.	Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord GOD.	Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me,” declares the Sovereign LORD.
23	How 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;	How can you say, ‘I am not unclean, I have not gone after the Baals’? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done— a restless young camel running here and there,	“How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals’? See how you behaved in the valley; consider what you have done. You are a swift she-camel running here and there,
24	A 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.	a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her.	a wild donkey accustomed to the desert, sniffing the wind in her craving— in her heat who can restrain her? Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves; at mating time they will find her.
25	Withhold 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.'	Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is hopeless, for I have loved foreigners, and after them I will go.’	Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry. But you said, ‘It’s no use! I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.’
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;	“As a thief is shamed when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed: they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets,	“As a thief is disgraced when he is caught, so the people of Israel are disgraced— they, their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets.
27	Who 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.'	who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’	They say to wood, ‘You are my father,’ and to stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’
28	But 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.	But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.	Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you, Judah, have as many gods as you have towns.
29	Wherefore will ye contend with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, Saith the LORD.	“Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the LORD.	“Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me,” declares the LORD.
30	In vain have I smitten your children-- They received no correction; Your sword hath devoured your prophets, Like a destroying lion.	In vain have I struck your children; they took no correction; your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion.	“In vain I punished your people; they did not respond to correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a ravenous lion.
31	O 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'?	And you, O generation, behold the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, ‘We are free, we will come no more to you’?	“You of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a desert to Israel or a land of great darkness? Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to you no more’?
32	Can a maid forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me Days without number.	Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.	Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.
33	How trimmest thou thy way To seek love! Therefore--even the wicked women Hast thou taught thy ways;	“How well you direct your course to seek love! So that even to wicked women you have taught your ways.	How skilled you are at pursuing love! Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.
34	Also 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 things	Also on your skirts is found the lifeblood of the guiltless poor; you did not find them breaking in. Yet in spite of all these things	On your clothes is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor, though you did not catch them breaking in. Yet in spite of all this
35	Thou 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.'	you say, ‘I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me.’ Behold, I will bring you to judgment for saying, ‘I have not sinned.’	you say, ‘I am innocent; he is not angry with me.’ But I will pass judgment on you because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’
36	How greatly dost thou cheapen thyself To change thy way? Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, As thou wast ashamed of Asshur.	How much you go about, changing your way! You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria.	Why do you go about so much, changing your ways? You will be disappointed by Egypt as you were by Assyria.
37	From 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.	From it too you will come away with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper by them.	You will also leave that place with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not be helped by them.
	Read JPS Tanakh 1917 Public domain.	Read English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.	Read New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.

Jeremiah 2 Parallel Bible Translations