1. The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
2. “Go and speak to the people of Jerusalem, saying: This is what the Lord says:‘I remember how faithful you were to me when you were a young nation.You loved me like a young bride.You followed me through the desert,a land that had never been planted.
3. The people of Israel were holy to the Lord,like the first fruits from his harvest.Those who tried to hurt Israel were judged guilty.Disasters struck them,’ ” says the Lord.
4. Hear the word of the Lord, family of Jacob,all you family groups of Israel.
5. This is what the Lord says:“I was fair to your ancestors,so why did they turn away from me?Your ancestors worshiped useless idolsand became useless themselves.
6. Your ancestors didn’t say,‘Where is the Lord who brought us out of Egypt?He led us through the desert,through a dry and rocky land,through a dark and dangerous land.He led us where no one travels or lives.’
7. I brought you into a fertile landso you could eat its fruit and produce.But you came and made my land unclean;you made it a hateful place.
8. The priests didn’t ask,‘Where is the Lord?’The people who know the teachings didn’t know me.The leaders turned against me.The prophets prophesied in the name of Baaland worshiped useless idols.
9. “So now I will again tell what I have against you,” says the Lord.“And I will tell what I have against your grandchildren.
10. Go across the sea to the island of Cyprus and see.Send someone to the land of Kedar to look closely.See if there has ever been anything like this.
11. Has a nation ever exchanged its gods?(Of course, its gods are not really gods at all.)But my people have exchanged their glorious Godfor idols worth nothing.
12. Skies, be shocked at the things that have happenedand shake with great fear!” says the Lord.
13. “My people have done two evils:They have turned away from me,the spring of living water.And they have dug their own wells,which are broken wells that cannot hold water.
14. Have the people of Israel become slaves?Have they become like someone who was born a slave?Why were they taken captive?
15. Enemies have roared like lions at Israel;they have growled at Israel.They have destroyed the land of Israel.The cities of Israel lie in ruins,and all the people have left.
16. The men from the cities of Memphis and Tahpanheshave disgraced you by shaving the top of your head.
17. Haven’t you brought this on yourselvesby turning away from the Lord your Godwhen he was leading you in the right way?