Jeremiah 2 - English Standard Version (ESV)

Israel Forsakes the Lord

2 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord,

“I remember the devotion of (A)your youth,
your love (B)as a bride,
(C)how you followed me in the wilderness,
(D)in a land not sown.
3 (E)Israel was holy to the Lord,
(F)the firstfruits of his harvest.
(G)All who ate of it incurred guilt;
disaster came upon them,
declares the Lord.”

4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord:

(H)“What wrong did your fathers find in me
that they went far from me,
(I)and went after (J)worthlessness, and became worthless?
6 They did not say, (K)‘Where is the Lord
who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
who led us (L)in the wilderness,
in a land of deserts and pits,
in a land of drought and deep darkness,
in a land that none passes through,
where no man dwells?’
7 (M)And I brought you into a plentiful land
to enjoy its fruits and its good things.
But when you came in, (N)you defiled my land
and made my heritage an abomination.
8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
(O)Those who handle the law did not know me;
(P)the shepherds[a] transgressed against me;
(Q)the prophets prophesied by Baal
and went after (R)things that do not profit.

9 “Therefore (S)I still contend with you,
declares the Lord,
and (T)with your children's children I will contend.
10 For cross to the coasts of (U)Cyprus and see,
or send to (V)Kedar and examine with care;
see if there has been such a thing.
11 (W)Has a nation changed its gods,
(X)even though they are no gods?
But my people (Y)have changed their glory
for (Z)that which does not profit.
12 Be appalled, (AA)O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the Lord,
13 for my people have committed two evils:
(AB)they have forsaken (AC)me,
the fountain of (AD)living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.

14 (AE)“Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant?
Why then has he become a prey?
15 (AF)The lions have roared against him;
they have roared loudly.
They have made his land a waste;
his cities are in ruins, (AG)without inhabitant.
16 Moreover, the men of (AH)Memphis and (AI)Tahpanhes
(AJ)have shaved[b] the crown of your head.
17 (AK)Have you not brought this upon yourself
by forsaking the Lord your God,
when (AL)he led you in the way?
18 (AM)And now what do you gain by going to Egypt
to drink the waters of (AN)the Nile?
(AO)Or what do you gain by going to Assyria
to drink the waters of (AP)the Euphrates?[c]
19 (AQ)Your evil will chastise you,
and (AR)your apostasy will reprove you.
Know and see that it is evil and (AS)bitter
for (AT)you to forsake the Lord your God;
the fear of me is not in you,
declares the Lord God of hosts.

20 “For long ago I (AU)broke your yoke
and burst your bonds;
but you said, (AV)‘I will not serve.’
Yes, (AW)on every high hill
and under every green tree
you bowed down (AX)like a whore.
21 (AY)Yet I planted you a choice vine,
wholly of pure seed.
(AZ)How then have you turned degenerate
and become a wild vine?
22 Though you wash yourself with lye
and use much soap,
(BA)the stain of your guilt is still before me,
declares the Lord God.
23 (BB)How can you say, ‘I am not unclean,
I have not gone after the Baals’?
Look at your way (BC)in the valley;
know what you have done—
a restless young camel running here and there,
24 (BD)a wild donkey used to the wilderness,
in her heat sniffing the wind!
Who can restrain her lust?
None who seek her need weary themselves;
in her month they will find her.
25 Keep (BE)your feet from going unshod
and (BF)your throat from thirst.
But you said, ‘It is hopeless,
(BG)for I have loved foreigners,
and after them I will go.’

26 “As a thief is shamed when caught,
so the house of Israel shall be shamed:
(BH)they, their kings, their officials,
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 (BI)in the time of their trouble they say,
‘Arise and save us!’
28 But (BJ)where are your gods
that you made for yourself?
Let them arise, (BK)if they can save you,
in your time of trouble;
for (BL)as many as 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 have I (BM)struck your children;
they took no correction;
(BN)your own sword devoured your prophets
like a ravening lion.
31 And you, O generation, behold the word of the Lord.
Have I been a wilderness to Israel,
or a land of thick darkness?
Why then do my people say, ‘We are free,
we will come no more to you’?
32 (BO)Can a virgin forget her ornaments,
or a bride her attire?
Yet (BP)my people have forgotten me
days without number.

33 “How well you direct your course
to seek love!
So that even to wicked women
you have taught your ways.
34 Also on your skirts is found
(BQ)the lifeblood of the guiltless poor;
you did not find them (BR)breaking in.
Yet in spite of all these things
35 you say, ‘I am innocent;
surely his anger has turned from me.’
(BS)Behold, I will bring you to judgment
for (BT)saying, ‘I have not sinned.’
36 (BU)How much you go about,
changing your way!
You shall be (BV)put to shame by Egypt
as you were put to shame by Assyria.
37 From it too you will come away
with (BW)your hands on your head,
for the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust,
and you will not prosper by them.

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 2:8 Or rulers
  2. Jeremiah 2:16 Hebrew grazed
  3. Jeremiah 2:18 Hebrew the River

Cross references

  1. Jeremiah 2:2 : ch. 3:4
  2. Jeremiah 2:2 : Ezek. 16:8, 43, 60; [Rev. 2:4]
  3. Jeremiah 2:2 : Deut. 2:7
  4. Jeremiah 2:2 : Deut. 8:2, 3
  5. Jeremiah 2:3 : Ex. 28:36; [Ex. 19:5, 6]
  6. Jeremiah 2:3 : James 1:18; [Ex. 4:22]
  7. Jeremiah 2:3 : ch. 12:14; Ezek. 25:12, 13; [Gen. 12:3]
  8. Jeremiah 2:5 : ver. 31; Isa. 5:4; Mic. 6:3
  9. Jeremiah 2:5 : 2 Kgs. 17:15
  10. Jeremiah 2:5 : ch. 10:15; 14:22; 16:19
  11. Jeremiah 2:6 : [Isa. 63:11-13; Hos. 13:4, 5]
  12. Jeremiah 2:6 : Deut. 8:15; 32:10
  13. Jeremiah 2:7 : See Deut. 8:7-10
  14. Jeremiah 2:7 : Ps. 106:38; [Lev. 18:24, 25]
  15. Jeremiah 2:8 : ch. 18:18; [Mal. 2:7; Rom. 2:20]
  16. Jeremiah 2:8 : [ch. 5:5]
  17. Jeremiah 2:8 : ch. 23:13; [ch. 5:31]
  18. Jeremiah 2:8 : [Hab. 2:18]
  19. Jeremiah 2:9 : ver. 35; Ezek. 17:20; 20:35, 36
  20. Jeremiah 2:9 : Ex. 20:5, 6
  21. Jeremiah 2:10 : See Gen. 10:4
  22. Jeremiah 2:10 : See Isa. 21:16
  23. Jeremiah 2:11 : [Mic. 4:5]; See ch. 18:13-15
  24. Jeremiah 2:11 : ch. 16:20; Isa. 37:19; Gal. 4:8
  25. Jeremiah 2:11 : Ps. 106:20
  26. Jeremiah 2:11 : [See ver. 8 above]; [Hab. 2:18]
  27. Jeremiah 2:12 : Isa. 1:2
  28. Jeremiah 2:13 : ch. 17:13
  29. Jeremiah 2:13 : Ps. 36:9
  30. Jeremiah 2:13 : John 4:10
  31. Jeremiah 2:14 : [Ex. 4:22]
  32. Jeremiah 2:15 : ch. 4:7; Isa. 5:29
  33. Jeremiah 2:15 : ch. 9:11; 46:19
  34. Jeremiah 2:16 : ch. 44:1; 46:14; Ezek. 30:16
  35. Jeremiah 2:16 : ch. 43:7-9
  36. Jeremiah 2:16 : [Deut. 33:20]
  37. Jeremiah 2:17 : ch. 4:18
  38. Jeremiah 2:17 : ver. 6
  39. Jeremiah 2:18 : ver. 36; Isa. 30:1, 2; 31:1
  40. Jeremiah 2:18 : Isa. 23:3
  41. Jeremiah 2:18 : [Hos. 7:11]
  42. Jeremiah 2:18 : Gen. 31:21; Isa. 7:20; 8:7
  43. Jeremiah 2:19 : Isa. 3:9; Hos. 5:5
  44. Jeremiah 2:19 : ch. 3:22; 5:6; 14:7
  45. Jeremiah 2:19 : ch. 4:18
  46. Jeremiah 2:19 : ver. 13, 17
  47. Jeremiah 2:20 : ch. 5:5; 30:8
  48. Jeremiah 2:20 : ver. 31
  49. Jeremiah 2:20 : ch. 3:2; 17:2
  50. Jeremiah 2:20 : ch. 3:1; Isa. 1:21
  51. Jeremiah 2:21 : Ex. 15:17; Ps. 44:2; 80:8; Isa. 5:2
  52. Jeremiah 2:21 : Isa. 5:4; [Deut. 32:32]
  53. Jeremiah 2:22 : [ch. 17:1]
  54. Jeremiah 2:23 : ver. 35
  55. Jeremiah 2:23 : ch. 7:31, 32; 19:2, 6
  56. Jeremiah 2:24 : ch. 14:6
  57. Jeremiah 2:25 : Deut. 29:5
  58. Jeremiah 2:25 : Ex. 17:6
  59. Jeremiah 2:25 : ch. 3:13; Deut. 32:16
  60. Jeremiah 2:26 : ch. 13:13; 32:32; [ch. 8:1]
  61. Jeremiah 2:27 : Judg. 10:9, 10; Isa. 26:16
  62. Jeremiah 2:28 : Deut. 32:37, 38
  63. Jeremiah 2:28 : Isa. 45:20
  64. Jeremiah 2:28 : ch. 11:13
  65. Jeremiah 2:30 : ch. 5:3; Isa. 1:5; 9:13
  66. Jeremiah 2:30 : Neh. 9:26; 1 Thess. 2:15
  67. Jeremiah 2:32 : Isa. 3:20; 61:10
  68. Jeremiah 2:32 : ch. 3:21; 18:15; Deut. 32:18; Ps. 106:21; Isa. 17:10; Hos. 8:14
  69. Jeremiah 2:34 : ch. 19:4; 2 Kgs. 21:16; 24:4; Ps. 106:38
  70. Jeremiah 2:34 : Ex. 22:2
  71. Jeremiah 2:35 : Ps. 143:2
  72. Jeremiah 2:35 : Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:8, 10
  73. Jeremiah 2:36 : [ch. 31:22]
  74. Jeremiah 2:36 : Isa. 30:3
  75. Jeremiah 2:37 : 2 Sam. 13:19

You Might Also Like:

Jeremiah 2 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

2 And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying, 2 `Go, and thou hast called in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said Jehovah: I have remembered for thee The kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, Thy going after Me in a wilderness, in a land not sown. 3 Holy [is] Israel to Jehovah,...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

2 And the word of the Lord was made to me, and said, 2 Go thou, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, and say, The Lord saith these things, I had mind on thee, and I had mercy on thee in thy young waxing age, and on the charity of thy espousing, when thou followedest me in desert, in the land which is n...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - World English Bible (WEB)

2 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, 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 h...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - The Voice (VOICE)

2 The word of the Eternal came to me again. With Jeremiah as God’s mouthpiece, the mighty oracles begin about a loving husband (God) divorcing his unfaithful wife (Judah).Eternal One: 2 Go now, and say this loud enough for all Jerusalem to hear. Tell them that the Eternal speaks these words: “I stil...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Judah Rebuked for Her Sins2 Again the word of Adonai came to me, saying: 2 “Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, thus says Adonai:I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, and the way you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.3 Israel was kadosh to Adonai, th...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

God Pleads with Israel to Repent2 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord,I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride,how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the firs...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

God Pleads with Israel to Repent2 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord,I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride,how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the firs...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

God Pleads with Israel to Repent2 The word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord:I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride,how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the first...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

God Pleads with Israel to Repent2 The word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord:I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride,how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.(A)3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the fir...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Lord’s Case against His People2 The Lord gave me another message. He said, 2 “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago,how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness.3 In those d...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New Life Version (NLV)

Israel Turns Away from God2 The Word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Go and speak so those in Jerusalem will hear, ‘This is what the Lord says: “I remember how you loved Me when you were young. Your love was as a bride. I remember how you followed Me in the desert, through a land that had not bee...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Case Against Israel2 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord:“I remember you,The kindness of your (A)youth,The love of your betrothal,(B)When you [a]went after Me in the wilderness,In a land not sown.3 (C)Israel ...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Israel forsakes God2 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 ‘Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:‘This is what the Lord says:‘“I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved meand followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown.3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the fir...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New International Version (NIV)

Israel Forsakes God2 The word(A) of the Lord came to me: 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:“This is what the Lord says:“‘I remember the devotion of your youth,(B) how as a bride you loved meand followed me through the wilderness,(C) through a land not sown.3 Israel was holy(D) to the Lo...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Israel Deserts the Lord2 A message from the Lord came to me. The Lord said, 2 “Go. Announce my message to the people in Jerusalem. I want everyone to hear it. Tell them,“Here is what the Lord says.“ ‘I remember how faithful you were to me when you were young. You loved me as if you were my bride.Yo...
Read More

Jeremiah 2 - New English Translation (NET)

The Lord Recalls Israel’s Earlier Faithfulness2 The Lord’s message came to me, 2 “Go and declare in the hearing of the people of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: “I have fond memories of you,[a] how devoted you were to me in your early years.[b] I remember how you loved me like a new bride; ...
Read More