Jeremiah 2:20-37 ▼

20 “For from of old you have broken your yoke, || Drawn away your bands, and say, I do not serve, || For on every high height, and under every green tree, || You are wandering—a harlot.

21 And I planted you [as] a choice vine, wholly of true seed, || And how have you been turned || Into the degenerate shoots of a strange vine to Me?

22 But though you wash with natron, || And multiply soap to yourself, || Your iniquity is marked before Me,” || A declaration of Lord YHWH.

23 “How can you say, I have not been defiled, || I have not gone after the Ba‘alim? See your way in a valley, know what you have done, || A swift dromedary winding her ways,

24 A wild donkey accustomed to a wilderness, || She has swallowed up wind in the desire of her soul, || Her meeting—who turns her back? None seeking her weary themselves, || In her month they find her.

25 Withhold your foot from being unshod, || And your throat from thirst, || And you say, It is incurable, || No, for I have loved strangers, and I go after them.

26 As the shame of a thief when he is found, || So has the house of Israel been put to shame, || They, their kings, their heads, || And their priests, and their prophets,

27 Saying to wood, You [are] my father! And to a stone, You have brought me forth, || For they turned to me the back and not the face, || And in the time of their distress, || They say, Arise, and save us.

28 And where [are] your gods, that you have made to yourself? Let them arise, if they may save you, || In the time of your distress, || For—the number of your cities have been your gods, O Judah,

29 Why do you strive with Me? All of you have transgressed against Me,” || A declaration of YHWH.

30 “I have struck your sons in vain, || They have not accepted instruction, || Your sword has devoured your prophets, || As a destroying lion.

31 O generation, see the word of YHWH: Have I been a wilderness to Israel? A land of thick darkness? Why have My people said, || We wandered freely, || We do not come to You again.

32 Does a virgin forget her ornaments? A bride her bands? And My people have forgotten Me [for] days without number.

33 Why do you make your ways pleasing to seek love? Therefore you have even taught the wicked your ways.

34 Also the blood of innocent needy souls || Has been found on your skirts, || I have not found them by digging, || But on all these.

35 And you say, Because I have been innocent, || Surely His anger has turned back from me? Behold, I have been judged with you, || Because of your saying, I have not sinned.

36 What? You are very vile to repeat your way, || You are even ashamed of Egypt, || As you have been ashamed of Asshur,

37 Also you go out from this, || And your hands on your head, || For YHWH has kicked at your confidences, || And you do not give prosperity to them!”