Jeremiah 2:1-19 ▼

1 Now the word of Yahweh came to me saying,

2 “Go and call out in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “I remember concerning you the lovingkindness of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your walking after Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown.

3 Israel was holy to Yahweh, The first of His produce. All who ate of it became guilty; Evil came upon them,” declares Yahweh.’”

4 Hear the word of Yahweh, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.

5 Thus says Yahweh, “What injustice did your fathers find in Me, That they went far from Me And walked after vanity and became vain?

6 They did not say, ‘Where is Yahweh Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who 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 one crossed And where no man inhabited?’

7 I brought you into the fruitful land To eat its fruit and its good things. But you came and defiled My land, And My inheritance you made an abomination.

8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The shepherds also transgressed against Me, And the prophets prophesied by Baal And walked after things that did not profit.

9 “Therefore I will yet contend with you,” declares Yahweh, “And with your sons’ sons I will contend.

10 For cross to the coastlands of Kittim and see, And send to Kedar and perceive closely And see if there has been such a thing as this!

11 Has a nation changed gods Though they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit.

12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid, be very devastated,” declares Yahweh.

13 “For My people have done two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water.

14 “Is Israel a slave? Or is he a homeborn slave? Why has he become plunder?

15 The young lions have roared at him; They have given forth their voice. And they have made his land a desolation; His cities have been turned into ruin, without inhabitant.

16 Also the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes Have shaved the top of your head.

17 Have you not done this to yourself By your forsaking Yahweh your God When He led you in the way?

18 But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River?

19 Your own evil will chastise you, And your acts of faithlessness will reprove you; Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter For you to forsake Yahweh your God, And the dread of Me is not in you,” declares Lord Yahweh of hosts.