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?