Jeremiah 2:1-19 ▼

1 Now the word of the LORD {YHWH} came to me, saying,

2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem (city of peace) that this is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

3 Israel (he wrestles with God) was holy to the LORD {YHWH}, the firstfruits of His harvest. All who devoured her were found guilty; disaster came upon them,’” declares the LORD.

4 Hear the word of the LORD {YHWH}, O house of Jacob (he grasps the heel), and all you families of the house of Israel (he wrestles with God).

5 This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: “What fault did your⁺ fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.

6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD {YHWH} who brought us up from the land of Egypt (land of bondage), who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’

7 I brought you⁺ into a fertile land to eat its fruit and bounty, but you⁺ came and defiled My land and made My inheritance detestable.

8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD {YHWH}?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal (lord) and followed useless idols.

9 Therefore, I will contend with you⁺ again, declares the LORD {YHWH}, and I will bring a case against your⁺ children’s children.

10 Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus {Kittim} and take a look; send to Kedar (dark) and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this:

11 Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory (their glorious God) for useless idols.

12 Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD {YHWH}.

13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

14 Is Israel (he wrestles with God) a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?

15 The young lions have roared at him; they have sounded their voices. They have laid waste his land; his cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant.

16 The men of Memphis [Noph] and Tahpanhes (You will fill hands with pity) have shaved the crown of your head.

17 Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} when He led you in the way?

18 Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt (land of bondage) to drink the waters of the Nile \of Shihor/ What will you gain on your way to Assyria (a step) to drink the waters of the Euphrates \the River/

19 Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} of Hosts.