1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 2 Go, 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. 3 Israel 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. 4 Hear you the word of
Yahweh, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
5 thus 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? 6 Neither 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? 7 I 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. 8 The 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.
9 Therefore I will yet contend with you, says Yahweh, and with your
children's children will I contend. 10 For 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. 11 Has a nation changed its gods, which yet
are no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which does not
profit. 12 Be astonished, you heavens, at this, and be horribly
afraid, be you very desolate, says Yahweh. 13 For 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. 14 Is
Israel a servant? is he a home-born slave? why is he become a prey?
15 The young lions have roared on him, and yelled; and they have made his
land waste: his cities are burned up, without inhabitant. 16 The children
also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.
17 Haven't you procured this to yourself, in that you have forsaken Yahweh
your God, when he led you by the way? 18 Now 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? 19 Your 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. 20 For 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. 21 Yet 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? 22 For though you
wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before
me, says the Lord Yahweh. 23 How 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; 24 a 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. 25 Withhold 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. 26 As 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; 27 who 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. 28 But 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.
29 Why will you contend with me? you all have transgressed
against me, says Yahweh. 30 In vain have I struck your children; they
received no correction: your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a
destroying lion. 31 Generation, 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? 32 Can a virgin forget her
ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days
without number. 33 How trimmest you your way to seek love! therefore even
the wicked women have you taught your ways. 34 Also 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. 35 Yet 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. 36 Why go you about
so much to change your way? you shall be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were
ashamed of Assyria. 37 From 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 - Public Domain |
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