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.