Jeremiah 2:23-37 ▼

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;

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.

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.'

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;

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.'

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.

29 Wherefore will ye contend with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, Saith the LORD.

30 In vain have I smitten your children-- They received no correction; Your sword hath devoured your prophets, Like a destroying 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'?

32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? 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;

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

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.'

36 How greatly dost thou cheapen thyself To change thy way? Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, As thou wast ashamed of Asshur.

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.