The Book of Jeremiah (WEB)
2:1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 2:2Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus
says Yahweh, I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your weddings; how you
went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. 2:3Israel was holiness to Yahweh, the
first fruits of his increase: all who devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come on them, says
Yahweh. 2:4Hear you the word of Yahweh, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of
Israel: 2:5thus says Yahweh, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have
gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? 2:6Neither said they, Where
is Yahweh who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who 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 none passed through, and where no man lived? 2:7I brought you into a plentiful
land, to eat the fruit of it and the goodness of it; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and
made my heritage an abomination. 2:8The priests didn't say, Where is Yahweh? and those who
handle the law didn't know me: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets
prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. 2:9Therefore I will yet contend with
you, says Yahweh, and with your children's children will I contend. 2:10For pass over to the isles of
Kittim, and see; and send to Kedar, and consider diligently; and see if there has been such a thing.
2:11Has a nation changed its gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their glory
for that which does not profit. 2:12Be astonished, you heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be you
very desolate, says Yahweh. 2:13For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me,
the spring of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
2:14Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born slave? why is he become a prey? 2:15The young lions have
roared on him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste: his cities are burned up, without
inhabitant. 2:16The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.
2:17Haven't you procured this to yourself, in that you have forsaken Yahweh your God, when he led
you by the way? 2:18Now what have you to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the
Shihor? or what have you to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River? 2:19Your
own wickedness shall correct you, and your backsliding shall reprove you: know therefore and see
that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that you have forsaken Yahweh your God, and that my fear is
not in you, says the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts. 2:20For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst
your bonds; and you said, I will not serve; for on every high hill and under every green tree you
did bow yourself, playing the prostitute. 2:21Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed:
how then are you turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine to me? 2:22For though you
wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me, says the Lord
Yahweh. 2:23How can you say, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baals? see your way in
the valley, know what you have done: you are a swift dromedary traversing her ways; 2:24a wild
donkey used to the wilderness, that snuffs up the wind in her desire; in her occasion who can turn
her away? all those who seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
2:25Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst: but you said, It is in vain;
no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. 2:26As 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; 2:27who tell a stock, You are my father; and to a stone, You have brought me forth: for
they have turned their back to me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say,
Arise, and save us. 2:28But where are your gods that you have made you? let them arise, if they can
save you in the time of your trouble: for according to the number of your cities are your gods,
Judah. 2:29Why will you contend with me? you all have transgressed against me, says Yahweh. 2:30In
vain have I struck your children; they received no correction: your own sword has devoured your
prophets, like a destroying lion. 2:31Generation, see the word of Yahweh. Have I been a wilderness
to Israel? or a land of thick darkness? why say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no
more to you? 2:32Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have
forgotten me days without number. 2:33How trimmest you your way to seek love! therefore even the
wicked women have you taught your ways. 2:34Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of
the innocent poor: you did not find them breaking in; but it is because of all these things. 2:35Yet
you said, I am innocent; surely his anger is turned away from me. Behold, I will enter into
judgment with you, because you say, I have not sinned. 2:36Why go you about so much to change
your way? you shall be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria. 2:37From there
also shall you go forth, with your hands on your head: for Yahweh has rejected those in whom you
trust, and you shall not prosper with them.
World English Bible