2:1 | Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, |
2:2 | "Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, `Thus says the LORD: "I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown. |
2:3 | Israel [was] holiness to the LORD, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them," says the LORD.'" |
2:4 | Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. |
2:5 | Thus says the LORD: "What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters? |
2:6 | Neither did they say, `Where [is] the LORD, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, Through a land of deserts and pits, Through a land of drought and the shadow of death, Through a land that no one crossed And where no one dwelt?' |
2:7 | I brought you into a bountiful country, To eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land And made My heritage an abomination. |
2:8 | The priests did not say, `Where [is] the LORD?' And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after [things that] do not profit. |
2:9 | "Therefore I will yet bring charges against you," says the LORD, "And against your children's children I will bring charges. |
2:10 | For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such [a thing]. |
2:11 | Has a nation changed [its] gods, Which [are] not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For [what] does not profit. |
2:12 | Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate," says the LORD. |
2:13 | "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, [And] hewn themselves cisternsbroken cisterns that can hold no water. |
2:14 | "[Is] Israel a servant? [Is] he a homeborn [slave]? Why is he plundered? |
2:15 | The young lions roared at him, [and] growled; They made his land waste; His cities are burned, without inhabitant. |
2:16 | Also the people of Noph and Tahpanhes Have broken the crown of your head. |
2:17 | Have you not brought this on yourself, In that you have forsaken the LORD your God When He led you in the way? |
2:18 | And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River? |
2:19 | Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that [it is] an evil and bitter [thing] That you have forsaken the LORD your God, And the fear of Me [is] not in you," Says the Lord GOD of hosts. |
2:20 | "For of old I have broken your yoke [and] burst your bonds; And you said, `I will not transgress,' When on every high hill and under every green tree You lay down, playing the harlot. |
2:21 | Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine? |
2:22 | For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, [Yet] your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord GOD. |
2:23 | "How can you say, `I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals'?See your way in the valley; Know what you have done: [You are] a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways, |
2:24 | A wild donkey used to the wilderness, [That] sniffs at the wind in her desire; In her time of mating, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves; In her month they will find her. |
2:25 | Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst. But you said, `There is no hope. No! For I have loved aliens, and after them I will go.' |
2:26 | "As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, |
2:27 | Saying to a tree, `You [are] my father,' And to a stone, `You gave birth to me.' 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.' |
2:28 | But where [are] your gods that you have made for yourselves? 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, O Judah. |
2:29 | "Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me," says the LORD. |
2:30 | "In vain I have chastened your children; They received no correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion. |
2:31 | "O generation, see the word of the LORD! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, `We are lords; We will come no more to You'? |
2:32 | Can a virgin forget her ornaments, [Or] a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number. |
2:33 | "Why do you beautify your way to seek love? Therefore you have also taught The wicked women your ways. |
2:34 | Also on your skirts is found The blood of the lives of the poor innocents. I have not found it by secret search, But plainly on all these things. |
2:35 | Yet you say, `Because I am innocent, Surely His anger shall turn from me.' Behold, I will plead My case against you, Because you say, `I have not sinned.' |
2:36 | Why do you gad about so much to change your way? Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria. |
2:37 | Indeed you will go forth from him With your hands on your head; For the LORD has rejected your trusted allies, And you will not prosper by them. |