1. The Lord spoke his word to me,
2. “Go and announce to Jerusalem,‘This is what the Lord says:I remember the unfailing loyalty of your youth,the love you had for me as a bride.I remember how you followed me into the desert,into a land that couldn’t be farmed.
3. Israel was set apart for the Lord.It was the best part of the harvest.All who devoured it became guilty,and disaster struck them,’” declares the Lord.
4. Listen to the word of the Lord, descendants of Jacob,all the families in the nation of Israel.
5. This is what the Lord says:What did your ancestors find wrong with methat they went so far away from me?They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
6. They didn’t ask, “Where is the Lord,who brought us from Egypt?He led us through the desert,through a wasteland and its pits,a land of drought and the shadow of death.No one lives there or travels there.”
7. I brought them into a fertile landto eat its fruit and its produce.They came and made my land unclean.They made my property disgusting.
8. The priests didn’t ask, “Where is the Lord?”Those who deal with my teachings didn’t know me.The rulers rebelled against me.The prophets prophesied in the name of Baaland followed statues that couldn’t help them.
9. “That is why I am bringing charges against you,” declares the Lord,“and I am bringing charges against your grandchildren.
10. Go over to the coasts of Cyprus, and see.Send ⌊someone⌋ to Kedar, and observe closely.See if there has ever been anything like this.