21 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying , 2 "Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem , saying , 'Thus says the Lord , "I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth , The love of your betrothals , Your following after Me in the wilderness , Through a land not sown . 3 "Israel was holy to the Lord , The first of His harvest . All who ate of it became guilty ; Evil came upon them," declares the Lord .' " 4 Hear the word of the Lord , O house of Jacob , and all the families of the house of Israel . 5 Thus says the Lord , " What injustice did your fathers find in Me, That they went far from Me And walked after emptiness and became empty ? 6 "They did not 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 of pits , Through a land of drought and of deep darkness , Through a land that no one crossed And where no man dwelt ?' 7 "I brought you into the fruitful land To eat its fruit and its good things . But you came and defiled My land , And My inheritance you made an abomination . 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, And the prophets prophesied by Baal And walked after things that did not profit .
9 "Therefore I will yet contend with you," declares the Lord , "And with your sons' sons I will contend . 10 "For cross to the coastlands of Kittim and see , And send to Kedar and observe closely And see if there has been such a thing as this ! 11 "Has a nation changed gods When they were not gods ? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit . 12 "Be appalled , O heavens , at this , And shudder , be very desolate ," declares the Lord . 13 "For My people have committed two evils : They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters , To hew for themselves cisterns , Broken cisterns That can hold no water .
14 "Is Israel a slave ? Or is he a homeborn e servant? Why has he become a prey ? 15 "The young lions have roared at him, They have roared e loudly e . And they have made his land a waste ; His cities have been destroyed , without inhabitant . 16 "Also the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes Have shaved the crown of your head . 17 "Have you not done this to yourself By your forsaking the Lord your God When He led you in the way ? 18 "But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt , To drink the waters of the Nile ? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria , To drink the waters of the Euphrates ? 19 " Your own wickedness will correct you, And your apostasies will reprove you; Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter For you to forsake the Lord your God , And the dread of Me is not in you," declares the Lord GOD of hosts .
20 "For long ago I broke your yoke And tore off your bonds ; But you said , 'I will not serve !' For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down as a harlot . 21 "Yet I planted you a choice vine , A completely faithful seed . How then have you turned yourself before Me Into the degenerate shoots of a foreign vine ? 22 "Although e you wash yourself with lye And use much soap , The stain of your iniquity is before Me," declares the Lord GOD . 23 " 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 a swift young camel entangling her ways , 24 A wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness , That sniffs the wind in her passion e . In the time of her heat who can turn her away ? All who seek her will not become weary ; In her month they will find her. 25 "Keep your feet from being unshod And your throat from thirst ; But you said , ' It is hopeless ! No ! For I have loved strangers , And after them I will walk .' 26 "As the thief is shamed when he is discovered , So the house of Israel is shamed ; They, their kings , their princes And their priests and their prophets , 27 Who 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 ; But in the time of their trouble they will say , 'Arise and save us.' 28 "But where are your gods Which you made for yourself? 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 .
29 "Why do you contend with Me? You have all transgressed against Me," declares the Lord . 30 " In vain I have struck your sons ; They accepted no chastening . Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion . 31 "O generation , heed the word of the Lord . Have I been a wilderness to Israel , Or a land of thick darkness ? Why do My people say , ' We are free to roam ; We will no longer come 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 well you prepare your way To seek love ! Therefore even the wicked women You have taught your ways . 34 "Also on your skirts is found The lifeblood e of the innocent poor ; You did not find them breaking in. But in spite 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 do you go around so much Changing your way ? Also , you will be put to shame by Egypt As you were put to shame by Assyria . 37 "From this place also you will go out With your hands on your head ; For the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust , And you will not prosper with them."
