[1] The word of the LORD came to me, saying, [2] "Go and proclaim in the
hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD, I remember the devotion of your
youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a
land not sown. [3] Israel was holy to the LORD, the first fruits of his
harvest. All who ate of it became guilty; evil came upon them, says the
LORD." [4] Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the
families of the house of Israel. [5] Thus says the LORD: "What wrong did
your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after
worthlessness, and became worthless? [6] They did not say, `Where is the
LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the
wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep
darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?' [7] And
I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good
things. But when you came in you defiled my land, and made my heritage an
abomination. [8] The priests did not say, `Where is the LORD?' Those who
handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the
prophets prophesied by Ba'al, and went after things that do not profit. [9]
"Therefore I still contend with you, says the LORD, and with your
children's children I will contend. [10] For cross to the coasts of Cyprus
and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such
a thing. [11] Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. [12]
Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the
LORD, [13] for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns, that can hold no water. [14] "Is Israel a slave? Is he a
homeborn servant? Why then has he become a prey? [15] The lions have roared
against him, they have roared loudly. They have made his land a waste; his
cities are in ruins, without inhabitant. [16] Moreover, the men of Memphis
and Tah'panhes have broken the crown of your head. [17] Have you not
brought this upon yourself by forsaking the LORD your God, when he led you
in the way? [18] And now what do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the
waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria, to drink the
waters of the Euphra'tes? [19] Your wickedness will chasten you, and your
apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you
to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, says the Lord
GOD of hosts. [20] "For long ago you broke your yoke and burst your bonds;
and you said, `I will not serve.' Yea, upon every high hill and under every
green tree you bowed down as a harlot. [21] Yet I planted you a choice
vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a
wild vine? [22] Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the
stain of your guilt is still before me, says the Lord GOD. [23] How can you
say, `I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Ba'als'? Look at your way
in the valley; know what you have done--a restive young camel interlacing
her tracks, [24] a wild ass used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing
the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary
themselves; in her month they will find her. [25] Keep your feet from going
unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, `It is hopeless, for I
have loved strangers, and after them I will go.' [26] "As a thief is shamed
when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed: they, their kings,
their princes, their priests, and their prophets, [27] who say to a tree,
`You are my father,' and to a stone, `You gave me birth.' For they have
turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their
trouble they say, `Arise and save us!' [28] But where are your gods that
you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time
of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah. [29] "Why do
you complain against me? You have all rebelled against me, says the LORD.
[30] In vain have I smitten your children, they took no correction; your
own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion. [31] And you, O
generation, heed the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel,
or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, `We are free, we
will come no more to thee'? [32] Can a maiden forget her ornaments, or a
bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number. [33]
"How well you direct your course to seek lovers! So that even to wicked
women you have taught your ways. [34] Also on your skirts is found the
lifeblood of guiltless poor; you did not find them breaking in. Yet in
spite of all these things [35] you say, `I am innocent; surely his anger
has turned from me.' Behold, I will bring you to judgment for saying, `I
have not sinned.' [36] How lightly you gad about, changing your way! You
shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria. [37]
From it too you will come away with your hands upon your head, for the LORD
has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper by them.
