1The word of the LORD came to me, saying:2Go and call in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the LORD: I remember you, the steadfast love of your youth, the love of your bridehood, your going after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.3Holiness to the LORD, the firstfruit of her harvest from Israel; all who eat her will be guilty; evil will come upon them, says the LORD.4Hear the word of the LORD, house of Jacob and all families of the house of Israel.5The LORD says: What injustice did your fathers find in me that they distanced themselves from me and walked after the vanity and became vain?6And 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 plains and pits, in a land of drought and shadow of death, a land through which no man passed and no human dwelt there?"7And I brought you to the land of Carmel to eat its fruit and its good things, and you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance an abomination.8The priests did not say, "Where is the LORD?" And the holders of the Torah did not know me, and the shepherds transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after what does not profit.9Therefore, until I conduct judicial controversy with you, says the LORD, and with the sons of your sons I will conduct judicial controversy.10For they crossed to the islands of Kittim and saw, and to Kedar—send and look intently very much and see: behold, has there been such a thing?11Has a nation changed gods, when they are no gods? Yet my people have changed its glory for what does not profit.12Be appalled, O heavens, at this, and shudder greatly—oracle of the LORD.13For my people have committed two evils against me: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, to dig for themselves broken wells that can hold no water.14Is Israel a servant? Is he a house-born servant? Why has he become plunder?15Against him young lions roared; villages gave their voice, and they set his land to desolation. His cities were burned without inhabitant.16Even the sons of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken your crown.17Haven't you done this to yourself by leaving the LORD your God at the time he was leading you in the Way?18And now what is the way of Egypt to you, to drink the waters of Shihor? And what is the way of Assyria to you, to drink the waters of the River?19Your evil will discipline you, and your backslidings will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God and have no fear of me," says the Lord GOD of hosts.20For long ago I broke your yoke; I burst your bonds, and you said, "I will not transgress." For upon every high hill and under every lush tree you sprawled; you prostituted yourself.21And I—I planted you as a choice vine, entirely a true seed. How have you turned against me into a strange degenerate vine?22For if you wash yourself with natron and multiply soap for yourself, your iniquity is stained before me, says the Lord GOD.23How can you say, "I have not been defiled; I have not gone after the Baals"? See your way in the valley. Do you know what you have done? A swift heifer that thwarts her—that is your way.24A wild donkey used to the wilderness, in the desire of her soul she pants, the wind of her craving—who can turn her back? None who seek her will weary themselves; in her month they will find her.25Withhold your foot from being bare and your throat from thirst. And you say, "Hopeless? No, because I have loved foreigners, and after them I will go."26Just as the shame of a thief when he is found, so the house of Israel was shamed—their kings, their rulers, their priests, and their prophets.27They say to wood, "You are my father," and to stone, "You gave birth to us." For they turned their backs to me, not their faces. And in the time of their evil, they say, "Arise and save us!"28Where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise if they can save you in the time of your evil. For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah.29Why do you contend with me? You all have transgressed against me, says the LORD.30In vain I have struck your children; they accepted no discipline. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.31O generation, see the word of the LORD. Have I been to Israel a land of darkness? Why did they say, "We are free! We will come to you no more"?32Will a virgin forget her ornaments, a bride her bands? And my people have forgotten me days without number.33Why do you make your way good to seek love? Therefore you have also taught evils, your ways.34Also on your wings was found the blood of innocent poor souls. You did not find them in a hiding place; for on account of all these.35And you say, "Yet I am cleared! Surely his anger has turned from me." Behold, I will judge you because you say, "I have not sinned."36Why do you go about so much to change your way? You will also be ashamed from Egypt just as you were ashamed from Assyria.37Indeed, you will go out from this with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected your trusts and you will not succeed with them.
3
Chapter 3
1saying, "See, if a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's, will he return to her again? Surely that will defile the land, yes, defile it! You have whored with many lovers and would return to me," says the LORD.2Lift up your eyes to the bare heights and see: where have you not lain down? You sat by the ways for them like an Arab in the wilderness, and you polluted the land with your prostitution and your evil.3The abundant rains were withheld, and the latter rain was not. You had the forehead of a prostitute because you refused to be ashamed.4Have you not just now called me, "My father, guide of my youth"—you?5Will you keep anger forever? Will you keep it forever? Behold, you spoke and you do evils, and you are able.