1The word of the Lord came to me, saying,2“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord, “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. (De 2:7; De 8:2; Jer 3:4; Eze 16:8; Eze 16:43; Eze 16:60; Re 2:4)3Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the Lord.” (Ge 12:3; Ex 4:22; Ex 19:5; Ex 28:36; Jer 12:14; Eze 25:12; Jas 1:18)4Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel.5Thus says the Lord: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? (2Ki 17:15; Isa 5:4; Jer 2:31; Jer 10:15; Jer 14:22; Jer 16:19; Mic 6:3)6They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?’ (De 8:15; De 32:10; Isa 63:11; Ho 13:4)7And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination. (Le 18:24; De 8:7; Ps 106:38)8The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds[1] transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit. (Jer 5:5; Jer 5:31; Jer 18:18; Jer 23:13; Hab 2:18; Mal 2:7; Ro 2:20)9“Therefore I still contend with you, declares the Lord, and with your children’s children I will contend. (Ex 20:5; Jer 2:35; Eze 17:20; Eze 20:35)10For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing. (Ge 10:4; Isa 21:16)11Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. (Ps 106:20; Isa 37:19; Jer 2:8; Jer 16:20; Jer 18:13; Mic 4:5; Ga 4:8)12Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, (Isa 1:2)13for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Ps 36:9; Jer 17:13; Joh 4:10)14“Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become a prey? (Ex 4:22)15The lions have roared against him; they have roared loudly. They have made his land a waste; his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant. (Isa 5:29; Jer 4:7; Jer 9:11; Jer 46:19)16Moreover, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved[2] the crown of your head. (De 33:20; Jer 43:7; Jer 44:1; Jer 46:14; Eze 30:16)17Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the Lord your God, when he led you in the way? (Jer 2:6; Jer 4:18)18And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?[3] (Ge 31:21; Isa 7:20; Isa 8:7; Isa 23:3; Isa 30:1; Isa 31:1; Jer 2:36; Ho 7:11)19Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts. (Isa 3:9; Jer 2:13; Jer 2:17; Jer 3:22; Jer 4:18; Jer 5:6; Jer 14:7; Ho 5:5)20“For long ago I broke your yoke and burst your bonds; but you said, ‘I will not serve.’ Yes, on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed down like a whore. (Isa 1:21; Jer 2:31; Jer 3:1; Jer 3:2; Jer 5:5; Jer 17:2; Jer 30:8)21Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine? (Ex 15:17; De 32:32; Ps 44:2; Ps 80:8; Isa 5:2; Isa 5:4)22Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord God. (Jer 17:1)23How can you say, ‘I am not unclean, I have not gone after the Baals’? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done— a restless young camel running here and there, (Jer 2:35; Jer 7:31; Jer 19:2; Jer 19:6)24a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her. (Jer 14:6)25Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is hopeless, for I have loved foreigners, and after them I will go.’ (Ex 17:6; De 29:5; De 32:16; Jer 3:13)26“As a thief is shamed when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed: they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets, (Jer 8:1; Jer 13:13; Jer 32:32)27who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’ (Jud 10:9; Isa 26:16)28But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah. (De 32:37; Isa 45:20; Jer 11:13)29“Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the Lord.30In vain have I struck your children; they took no correction; your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion. (Ne 9:26; Isa 1:5; Isa 9:13; Jer 5:3; 1Th 2:15)31And you, O generation, behold the word of the Lord. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, ‘We are free, we will come no more to you’?32Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number. (De 32:18; Ps 106:21; Isa 3:20; Isa 17:10; Isa 61:10; Jer 3:21; Jer 18:15; Ho 8:14)33“How well you direct your course to seek love! So that even to wicked women you have taught your ways.34Also on your skirts is found the lifeblood of the guiltless poor; you did not find them breaking in. Yet in spite of all these things (Ex 22:2; 2Ki 21:16; 2Ki 24:4; Ps 106:38; Jer 19:4)35you say, ‘I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me.’ Behold, I will bring you to judgment for saying, ‘I have not sinned.’ (Ps 143:2; Pr 28:13; 1Jo 1:8; 1Jo 1:10)36How much you go about, changing your way! You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria. (Isa 30:3; Jer 31:22)37From it too you will come away with your hands on your head, for the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper by them. (2Sa 13:19)
Jeremiah 2
New International Version
Israel forsakes God
1The word of the Lord came to me:2‘Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: ‘ “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown.3Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,” ’ declares the Lord.4Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel.5This is what the Lord says: ‘What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.6They did not ask, “Where is the Lord, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and utter darkness, a land where no-one travels and no-one lives?”7I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.8The priests did not ask, “Where is the Lord?” Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.9‘Therefore I bring charges against you again,’ declares the Lord. ‘And I will bring charges against your children’s children.10Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar[1] and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this:11has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.12Be appalled at this, you heavens, and shudder with great horror,’ declares the Lord.13‘My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.14Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth? Why then has he become plunder?15Lions have roared; they have growled at him. They have laid waste his land; his towns are burned and deserted.16Also, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have cracked your skull.17Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the Lord your God when he led you in the way?18Now why go to Egypt to drink water from the Nile[2]? And why go to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates?19Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realise how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,’ declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.20‘Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, “I will not serve you!” Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute.21I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?22Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me,’ declares the Sovereign Lord.23‘How can you say, “I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals”? See how you behaved in the valley; consider what you have done. You are a swift she-camel running here and there,24a wild donkey accustomed to the desert, sniffing the wind in her craving – in her heat who can restrain her? Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves; at mating time they will find her.25Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry. But you said, “It’s no use! I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.”26‘As a thief is disgraced when he is caught, so the people of Israel are disgraced – they, their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets.27They say to wood, “You are my father,” and to stone, “You gave me birth.” They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, “Come and save us!”28Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you, Judah, have as many gods as you have towns.29‘Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me,’ declares the Lord.30‘In vain I punished your people; they did not respond to correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a ravenous lion.31‘You of this generation, consider the word of the Lord: ‘Have I been a desert to Israel or a land of great darkness? Why do my people say, “We are free to roam; we will come to you no more”?32Does a young woman forget her jewellery, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.33How skilled you are at pursuing love! Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.34On your clothes is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor, though you did not catch them breaking in. Yet in spite of all this35you say, “I am innocent; he is not angry with me.” But I will pass judgment on you because you say, “I have not sinned.”36Why do you go about so much, changing your ways? You will be disappointed by Egypt as you were by Assyria.37You will also leave that place with your hands on your head, for the Lord has rejected those you trust; you will not be helped by them.
Jeremiah 2
King James Version
1Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.3Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.4Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:5Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?6Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that 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 man passed through, and where no man dwelt?7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.8The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.9Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children' children will I plead.10For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.11Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.12Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.14Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave ? why is he spoiled?15The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.16Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.17Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?18And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.20For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?22For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;24A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.25Withhold 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.26As 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,27Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me 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.28But 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.29Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.30In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.31O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.33Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.34Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.35Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.36Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.37Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
Jeremiah 2
New International Reader’s Version
Israel deserts the Lord
1A message from the LORD came to me. The LORD said,2‘Go. Announce my message to the people in Jerusalem. I want everyone to hear it. Tell them, ‘Here is what the LORD says. ‘ “I remember how faithful you were to me when you were young. You loved me as if you were my bride. You followed me through the desert. Nothing had been planted there.3Your people were holy to me. They were the first share of my harvest. All those who destroyed them were held guilty. And trouble came to their enemies,” ’ announces the LORD.4People of Jacob, hear the LORD’s message. Listen, all you tribes of Israel.5The LORD says, ‘What did your people of long ago find wrong with me? Why did they wander so far away from me? They worshipped worthless statues of gods. Then they themselves became worthless.6They did not ask, “Where is the LORD? He brought us up out of Egypt. He led us through a dry and empty land. He guided us through deserts and deep valleys. It was a land of total darkness where there wasn’t any rain. No one lived or travelled there.”7But I brought you into a land that has rich soil. I gave you its fruit and its finest food. In spite of that, you made my land impure. You turned it into something I hate.8The priests did not ask, “Where is the LORD?” Those who taught my law did not know me. The leaders refused to obey me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal. They worshipped worthless statues of gods.9‘So I am bringing charges against you again,’ announces the LORD. ‘And I will bring charges against your children’s children.10Go over to the coasts of Cyprus and look. Send people to the land of Kedar and let them look closely. See if there has ever been anything like this.11Has a nation ever changed its gods? Actually, they are not even gods at all. But my people have traded away their glorious God. They have traded me for worthless statues of gods.12Sky above, be shocked over this. Tremble with horror,’ announces the LORD.13‘My people have sinned twice. They have deserted me, even though I am the spring of water that gives life. And they have dug their own wells. But those wells are broken. They can’t hold any water.14Are you people of Israel servants? You were not born as slaves, were you? Then why have you been carried off like stolen goods?15Lions have roared. They have growled at you. They have destroyed your land. Your towns are burned and deserted.16The men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have cracked your skulls.17Haven’t you brought this on yourselves? I am the LORD your God, but you deserted me. You left me even while I was leading you.18Why do you go to Egypt to drink water from the River Nile? Why do you go to Assyria to drink from the River Euphrates?19You will be punished because you have sinned. You will be corrected for turning away from me. I am the LORD your God. If you desert me, bad things will happen to you. If you do not respect me, you will suffer bitterly. I want you to understand that,’ announces the LORD who rules over all.20‘Long ago you broke off the yoke I put on you. You tore off the ropes I tied you up with. You said, “I won’t serve you!” In fact, on every high hill you lay down like a prostitute. You worshipped other gods under every green tree.21You were like a good vine when I planted you. You were a healthy plant. Then how did you turn against me? How did you become a bad, wild vine?22You might wash yourself with soap. You might use plenty of strong soap. But I can still see the stains your guilt covers you with,’ announces the LORD and King.23‘You say, “I am ‘clean’. I haven’t followed the gods that are named Baal.” How can you say that? Remember how you acted in the valley. Consider what you have done. You are like a female camel running quickly here and there.24You are like a wild donkey that lives in the desert. She smells the wind when she longs for a mate. Who can hold her back? The males that run after her do not need to wear themselves out. At mating time they will easily find her.25Do not run after other gods until your sandals are worn out and your throat is dry. But you said, “It’s no use! I love those gods. I must go after them.”26‘A thief is dishonoured when he is caught. And you people of Israel are filled with shame. Your kings and officials are dishonoured. So are your priests and your prophets.27You say to a piece of wood, “You are my father.” You say to a stone, “You are my mother.” You have turned your backs to me. You refuse to look at me. But when you are in trouble, you say, “Come and save us!”28Then where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come when you are in trouble! Let them save you if they can! Judah, you have as many gods as you have towns.29‘Why do you bring charges against me? All of you have refused to obey me,’ announces the LORD.30‘I punished your people. But it did not do them any good. They did not pay attention when they were corrected. You have killed your prophets by swords. You have swallowed them up like a hungry lion.31‘You who are now living, consider my message. I am saying, ‘Have I been like a desert to Israel? Have I been like a land of deep darkness? Why do my people say, “We are free to wander. We won’t come to you anymore”?32Does a young woman forget all about her jewellery? Does a bride forget her wedding jewels? But my people have forgotten me more days than anyone can count.33You are very skilled at chasing after love! Even the worst of women can learn from how you act.34The blood of those you have killed is on your clothes. You have destroyed poor people who were not guilty. You did not catch them in the act of breaking in. In spite of all this,35you say, “I’m not guilty of doing anything wrong. The LORD isn’t angry with me.” But I will judge you. That’s because you say, “I haven’t sinned.”36Why do you keep on changing your ways so much? Assyria did not help you. And Egypt will not help you either.37So you will also leave Egypt with your hands tied together above your heads. I have turned my back on those you trust. They will not help you.