Jeremiah 2

1Moreover the word of the Yahuah came to me, saying, 2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the Yahuah; I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. 3Israel holiness unto the Yahuah, the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, says the Yahuah. 4Hear ye the word of the Yahuah, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: 5Thus says the Yahuah, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? 6Neither said they, Where the Yahuah that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? 7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8The priests said not, Where the Yahuah? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after do not profit. 9therefore I will yet plead with you, says the Yahuah, and with your children's children will I plead. 10For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. 11has a nation changed gods, which yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for does not profit. 12Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, says the Yahuah. 13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. 14Israel a servant? he a homeborn ? why is he spoiled? 15The young lions roared upon him, yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant. 16Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of your head. 17Hast you not procured this unto thyself, in that you hast forsaken the Yahuah your Elohim, when he led you by the way? 18And now what hast you to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast you to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? 19your own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see that an evil and bitter, that you hast forsaken the Yahuah your Elohim, and that my fear not in you, says the Lord GOD of hosts. 20For of old time I have broken your yoke, burst your bands; and you saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree you wanderest, playing the harlot. 21Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? 22For though you wash you with nitre, and take you much soap, your iniquity is marked before me, says the Lord GOD. 23How canst you say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see your way in the valley, know what you hast done: a swift dromedary traversing her ways; 24A wild ass used to the wilderness, snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. 25Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst: but you saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. 26As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, 27Saying to a stock, you my father; and to a stone, you hast brought me forth: for they have turned back unto me, and not face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. 28But where your gods that you hast made you? let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble: for the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah. 29therefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, says the Yahuah. 30In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. 31O generation, see ye the word of the Yahuah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? therefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto you? 32Can a maid forget her ornaments, a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. 33Why trimmest you your way to seek love? therefore hast you also taught the wicked ones your ways. 34Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these. 35Yet you sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with you, because you sayest, I have not sinned. 36Why gaddest you about so much to change your way? you also shall be ashamed of Egypt, as you wast ashamed of Assyria. 37yes, you shall go forth from him, and your hands upon your head: for the Yahuah has rejected your confidences, and you shall not prosper in them.