And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,

Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Jehovah: I remember concerning you the kindness of your youth, The love of your bridal days, When you followed after Me in the wilderness, In a land that was not sown.

Israel was holiness to Jehovah, The firstfruits of His increase; All who ate of it were guilty; Evil came upon them, Declares Jehovah.

Hear the word of Jehovah, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.

Thus says Jehovah: What iniquity did your fathers find in Me That they went far away from Me And walked after vanity And became vain?

And they did not say, Where is Jehovah, Who brought us up from the land of Egypt, Who brought 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 passes through And where no man dwells?

And I brought you into the land of the fruited field, To eat its fruit and its goodness. But you came and defiled My land And made My inheritance an abomination.

The priests did not say, Where is Jehovah? And those who handle the law did not know Me, And the shepherds transgressed against Me, And the prophets prophesied by Baal And followed after things that did not benefit them.

Therefore I will yet contend with you, declares Jehovah; And with your children's children I will contend.

For pass over to the coastlands of Kittim and see, And send someone to Kedar and consider carefully, And see if there has ever been anything like this.

Has a nation ever exchanged its gods, Even though they are no gods? But My people have exchanged their glory For that which does not benefit them.

Be appalled at this, O heavens, And be horrified; be very desolate, Declares Jehovah.

For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew out for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns, Which hold no water.

Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn slave? Why has he become a prey?

The young lions roared over him; They sounded their voices. And they have made his land a waste; His cities are burned, without inhabitant.

Also the children of Memphis and Tahpanhes Have shaved the crown of your head.

Have you not done this to yourself By your forsaking Jehovah your God When He was leading you in the way?

And now what do you have on the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of the Shihor? And what do you have on the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River?

Your own wickedness will correct you, And your apostasies will reprove you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing, That you have forsaken Jehovah your God And that My fear is not in you, Declares the Lord Jehovah of hosts.

For long ago you broke your yoke; You tore off your bonds; And you said, I will not serve! Indeed upon every high hill And under every flourishing tree You have lain down, you have committed fornication.

Yet I, I had planted you as a choice vine, Wholly a faithful seed. How then have you turned yourself before Me Into the degenerate shoots of a foreign vine?

For though you wash yourself with lye And make use of much soap, Your iniquity remains as a stain before Me, Declares the Lord Jehovah.

How 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. You are like a swift young camel entangling her ways,

Like a wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, Panting after the wind in her desire. In her passion who can turn her away? None that seek her will weary themselves: They will find her in her month.

Keep your foot from being unshod And your throat from thirst; But you said, It is hopeless. No! For I have loved strangers, And I will go after them.

As the thief is ashamed when he is found, So the house of Israel is ashamed-They, their kings, their princes, And their priests and their prophets,

Who say to a tree, You are my father; And to a stone, You have brought me forth-For they have turned their back to Me, And not their faces. Yet in a time of their trouble they will say, Arise and save us.

But where are your gods, whom you 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.

Why do you contend with Me? You have all transgressed against Me, Declares Jehovah.

In vain I have stricken your children: They have taken no correction. Your own sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion.

O generation, attend to the word of Jehovah: Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of deep darkness? Why do My people say, We roam about; We will no longer come to You?

Can the virgin forget her ornaments, Or the bride her attire? But My people have forgotten Me For days without number.

How you prepare your ways To seek love! Therefore ou have even taught Wicked women your ways.

Also on your skirts is found The lifeblood of the innocent poor. You did not find them breaking in, But killed them because of all these things.

But you said, I am innocent; Surely His anger will turn from me. I am about to enter into judgment with you, Because you say, I have not sinned.

Why do you go about so much To change your way? You will be put to shame by Egypt also, Even as you were put to shame by Assyria.

Indeed, from it you will go forth With your hands upon your head; For Jehovah has rejected those in whom you trust, And you will not prosper by them.