1And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying:
2Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying: Thus says Yahweh: I remember concerning you the loyal love of your youth, the love of your bridal days, your going after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.
3Israel was holiness to Yahweh, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured him incurred guilt, evil came upon them, declares Yahweh.
4Hear the word of Yahweh, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel.
5Thus says Yahweh: What injustice did your fathers find in me, that they went far from me and walked after the worthless thing and became worthless?
6And they did not say, “Where is Yahweh, who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of desert and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land through which no one passed and where no human dwelt?”
7And I brought you into the land of the orchard, to eat its fruit and its good things; but you came and defiled my land, and my inheritance you made an abomination.
8The priests did not say, “Where is Yahweh?” Those who handle the law did not know me; and the shepherds rebelled against me; and the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that do not profit.
9Therefore I will yet contend with you, declares Yahweh, and with your children’s children I will contend.
10For cross over to the coasts of Kittim and see, and send to Kedar and consider carefully, and see whether there has been anything like this:
11Has a nation ever exchanged its gods, though they are no gods? Yet my people have exchanged their Glory for that which does not profit.
12Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be horrified, be utterly desolate, declares Yahweh.
13For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold the water.
14Is Israel a slave? Is he a house-born servant? Why then has he become plunder?
15Against him young lions roar; they raise their voice. They have made his land a desolation; his cities are burned, without inhabitant.
16Also the sons of Noph and Tahpanhes have grazed on the crown of your head.
17Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking Yahweh your God, at the time he was leading you in the way?
18And now, what is it for you on the road to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? And what is it for you on the road to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?
19Your own evil will discipline you, and your apostasies will rebuke you. Know then and see that it is evil and bitter that you have forsaken Yahweh your God, and that the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord Yahweh of hosts.
20For long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds; but you said, “I will not serve.” Yet on every high hill and under every green tree you sprawl as a prostitute.
21Yet I planted you as a choice vine, wholly a true seed. How then have you turned degenerate before me, a foreign vine?
22For though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your iniquity is before me, declares the Lord Yahweh.
23How can you say, “I am not defiled; I have not gone after the Baals”? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done—a swift young camel crisscrossing her ways,
24a wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the desire of her craving—her lust, who can turn it back? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her.
25Keep your foot from going bare and your throat from thirst. But you said, “It is hopeless! No! For I love strangers, and after them I will go.”
26As a thief is shamed when he is caught, so the house of Israel is shamed—they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets—
27who 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; yet in the time of their trouble they say, “Arise and save us!”
28But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.
29Why do you contend with me? All of you have rebelled against me, declares Yahweh.
30In vain I struck your children; they took no discipline. Your sword devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.
31O generation, look, you, at the word of Yahweh! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of deep darkness? Why then do my people say, “We roam free; we will not come to you anymore”?
32Can a maiden forget her ornaments, a bride her sashes? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
33How well you make your way to seek love! Therefore even the wicked ones you have taught your ways.
34Also on your skirts is found the blood of the lives of the innocent poor — though not at breaking in did you find them. Yet in spite of all these things—
35Yet you say, “I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me.” Behold, I am entering into judgment with you because you say, “I have not sinned.”
36How very much you go about changing your way! By Egypt too you will be put to shame, as you were put to shame by Assyria.
37From this one also you will go out with your hands on your head, for Yahweh has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper by them.
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