1. The 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 meand followed me through the wilderness,through a land not sown.
3. Israel was holy to the Lord,the firstfruits of his harvest;all who devoured her were held guilty,and disaster overtook them,” ’declares the Lord.
4. Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob,all you clans of Israel.
5. This is what the Lord says:‘What fault did your ancestors find in me,that they strayed so far from me?They followed worthless idolsand became worthless themselves.
6. They did not ask, “Where is the Lord,who brought us up out of Egyptand 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?”
7. I brought you into a fertile landto eat its fruit and rich produce.But you came and defiled my landand made my inheritance detestable.
8. The 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.
10. Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look,send to Kedar and observe closely;see if there has ever been anything like this:
11. has a nation ever changed its gods?(Yet they are not gods at all.)But my people have exchanged their glorious Godfor worthless idols.
12. Be 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.
14. Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth?Why then has he become plunder?
15. Lions have roared;they have growled at him.They have laid waste his land;his towns are burned and deserted.
16. Also, the men of Memphis and Tahpanheshave cracked your skull.
17. Have you not brought this on yourselvesby forsaking the Lord your Godwhen he led you in the way?
18. Now why go to Egyptto drink water from the Nile?And why go to Assyriato drink water from the Euphrates?
19. Your wickedness will punish you;your backsliding will rebuke you.Consider then and realisehow evil and bitter it is for youwhen you forsake the Lord your Godand have no awe of me,’declares the Lord,the Lord Almighty.
20. ‘Long ago you broke off your yokeand tore off your bonds;you said, “I will not serve you!”Indeed, on every high hilland under every spreading treeyou lay down as a prostitute.
21. I had planted you like a choice vineof sound and reliable stock.How then did you turn against meinto a corrupt, wild vine?
22. Although you wash yourself with soapand 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-camelrunning here and there,
24. a 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.
25. Do not run until your feet are bareand 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.
27. They say to wood, “You are my father,”and to stone, “You gave me birth.”They have turned their backs to meand not their faces;yet when they are in trouble, they say,“Come and save us!”
28. Where then are the gods you made for yourselves?Let them come if they can save youwhen you are in trouble!For you, Judah, have as many godsas 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 prophetslike a ravenous lion.
31. ‘You of this generation, consider the word of the Lord:‘Have I been a desert to Israelor a land of great darkness?Why do my people say, “We are free to roam;we will come to you no more”?
32. Does a young woman forget her jewellery,a bride her wedding ornaments?Yet my people have forgotten me,days without number.
33. How skilled you are at pursuing love!Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.
34. On your clothes is foundthe lifeblood of the innocent poor,though you did not catch them breaking in.Yet in spite of all this
35. you say, “I am innocent;he is not angry with me.”But I will pass judgment on youbecause you say, “I have not sinned.”
36. Why do you go about so much,changing your ways?You will be disappointed by Egyptas you were by Assyria.
37. You will also leave that placewith your hands on your head,for the Lord has rejected those you trust;you will not be helped by them.