Jeremiah 2:1-13 ▼

1 This message from the LORD came to me:

2 |Go and announce to Jerusalem: 'This is what the LORD says: |I remember the loyal devotion of your youth, your love as a bride. You followed me in the desert, in a land that was not planted.

3 Israel was consecrated to the LORD, she was the first fruits of his produce. All who devoured her became guilty and disaster came on them,| declares the LORD.'|

4 Listen to this message from the LORD, you descendants of Jacob and all the families of the descendants of Israel.

5 This is what the LORD says: |What did your ancestors find wrong with me that they left me, and pursued worthless things, and so they became worthless?

6 |They didn't ask, 'Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through the land of desert and pits, through the land of dryness and deep darkness, a land that people don't pass through, and where no one lives?'

7 |I brought you into the fruitful land to eat its fruit and its good things. But you came in, defiled my land, and made my inheritance into an abomination.

8 |The priests didn't say, 'Where is the LORD?' and those handling the Law didn't know me. The rulers transgressed against me, the prophets prophesied by Baal, and they followed that which does not profit.

9 |Therefore I'll again accuse you,| declares the LORD, |and I'll accuse your grandchildren.|

10 |Indeed, go over to the coasts of Cyprus and see, send to Kedar and pay very close attention. See if there has ever been such a thing as this!

11 Has a nation ever changed gods when they aren't even gods? But my people have exchanged their glory for that which does not profit.

12 Heavens, be appalled at this, be shocked, be utterly devastated,| declares the LORD.

13 |Indeed, my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.|