Chapter 2
1 Yahweh ’s word came to me , saying ,
2 " Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem , saying, ‘ Yahweh says , " I remember for you the kindness of your youth , your love as a bride, 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 will be held guilty. Evil will come on them ,"’ says Yahweh ."
4 Hear Yahweh ’s word , O house of Jacob , and all the families of the house of Israel !
5 Yahweh says , " What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me , that they have gone far from me , and have walked after worthless vanity , and have become worthless ?
6 They didn’t say, ‘ 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 no one passed through , and where no man lived ?’
7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruit and its goodness ; 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 followed things that do not profit .
9 " Therefore I will yet contend with you ," says Yahweh , " and I will contend with your children ’s children .
10 For pass over to the islands of Kittim , and see . Send to Kedar , and consider diligently , and see if there has been such a thing .
11 Has a nation changed its gods, which really are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doesn’t profit .
12 " Be astonished , you heavens , at this and be horribly afraid . Be very desolate ," says Yahweh .
13 " For my people have committed two evils : they have forsaken me , the spring of living waters , and cut out cisterns for themselves : broken cisterns that can ’t hold water .
14 Is Israel a slave ? Is he born into slavery ? Why has he become a captive?
15 The young lions have roared at him and raised their voices . 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 brought this on yourself , in that you have forsaken Yahweh your God , " (Elohim). when he led you by the way ?
18 Now what do you gain by going to Egypt , to drink the waters of the Shihor ? Or why do you go on the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River ?
19 " Your own wickedness will correct you , and your backsliding will rebuke you . Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing , that you have forsaken Yahweh your God , and that my fear is not in you ," says the Lord , Yahweh of Armies .
20 " For long ago I broke off your yoke , and burst your bonds . You said, ‘ I will not serve ;’ for on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself , playing the prostitute .
21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine , a pure and faithful seed . How then have 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 sniffs the wind in her craving. When she is in heat , who can turn her away ? All those who seek her will not weary themselves . In her month , they will find her .
25 " Keep your feet from being bare, and your throat from thirst . But you said, ‘ It is in vain. No , for I have loved strangers , and I will go after them .’
26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found , so the house of Israel is ashamed — they , their kings , their princes , their priests , and their prophets ,
27 who tell wood , ‘ You are my father ,’ and a stone, ‘ You have given 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 !’
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 you have as many gods as you have towns , O Judah .
29 " Why will you contend with me ? You all have transgressed against me ," says Yahweh .
30 " I have struck your children in vain . They received no correction . Your own sword has devoured your prophets , like a destroying lion.
31 Generation , consider Yahweh ’s word . Have I been a wilderness to Israel ? Or a land of thick darkness ? Why do my people say , ‘ We have broken loose. We will come to you no more ’?
32 "Can a virgin forget her ornaments , or a bride her attire ? Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number .
33 How well you prepare your way to seek love! Therefore you have even taught the wicked women your ways .
34 Also the blood of the souls of the innocent poor is found in your skirts . You didn’t find them breaking in , but it is because of all these things .
35 " Yet you said, ‘ I am innocent . Surely his anger has turned away from me .’ " Behold , I will judge you , because you say , ‘ I have not sinned .’
36 Why do you go about so much to change your ways ? You will be ashamed of Egypt also , as you were ashamed of Assyria.
37 You will also leave that place with your hands on your head ; for Yahweh has rejected those in whom you trust , and you won’t prosper with them .