1 ¶ Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

2 Go and cry out to the people of Jerusalem, saying, The LORD says; I remember how kind you were in your youth, your love as a bride, when you followed me in the wilderness, in a land that was not cultivated.

3 Israel was set apart to the LORD, the firstfruit of his harvest: all those devouring him were guilty; and calamity came upon them, says the LORD.

4 Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

5 The LORD asks, What wrong have your fathers found in me, that they went so far from me, and followed ignorance, and became worthless?

6 Without asking, 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 ravines, through a land of drought, and impending death, through a land where no one travels, and where no one lives?

7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat its fruit and good things; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

8 The priests did not ask, Where is the LORD? and those who interpret the law did not know me: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and followed after things that do not profit.

9 ¶ That is why I still accuse you, says the LORD, and I will accuse your children’s children.

10 Go over to the coasts of Cyprus, and take a look; and send someone to Kedar, and consider carefully, and see if there is anything like this.

11 Has a nation ever changed its gods, which are not really gods? but my people have exchanged their glory for what is worthless.

12 Let the heavens be horrified at this, be shocked, and shrink back in horror, says the LORD.

13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and carved out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that cannot hold water.

14 ¶ Is Israel a slave? or was he born in slavery? why then is he in bondage?

15 The young lions have roared at him, and with a loud roar they laid his land waste: his cities are burned and without inhabitants.

16 Moreover the children of Memphis and Tahapanes have broken the crown of your head.

17 Have you not brought this on yourself, by forsaking the LORD your God, when he was leading you in the way?

18 And now what can you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the water of the Nile? or what can you gain by going to Assyria, to drink the water of the Euphrates?

19 Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backsliding will rebuke you: realize then and see how evil and bitter it is, for you to abandon the LORD your God, and have no fear of me, says the Lord GOD of hosts.

20 ¶ For long ago I broke your yoke, and removed your chains; and you said, I will not sin; when on every high hill and under every green tree you were acting the part of a harlot.

21 But when I planted you, you were a choice vine, of the best seed: how then have you changed into the weedy shoots of a vine that I do not recognize?

22 For even though you wash with lye, and use plenty of soap, I still see you stained with guilt, says the Lord GOD.

23 How can you say, I am not defiled, I have not gone after false gods? look at your way in the valley, acknowledge what you are doing: you are like a young camel pulling from side to side along her way;

24 Like a wild donkey used to the wilderness, who sniffs the wind in the heat of her desire; who can control her? none who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her.

25 You protect your foot from being bare, and your throat from thirst: but you say, It is no use: for I love strangers, and after them I will go.

26 As the thief is ashamed when he is caught, so the people of Israel are ashamed; they, and their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets,

27 Because they say to wood, You are my father; and to a stone, You are my mother: for they have turned their back on me, and will not face me: but when they are in trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

28 But where are the gods that you made for yourselves? let them arise, if they can save you when you are in trouble: for you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.

29 ¶ The LORD asks, Why do you find fault with me? when you have sinned against me.

30 I have struck down your children, but it did no good; they would not receive correction: your own sword devours the prophets, like a destroying lion.

31 O generation of vipers, pay attention to the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? or a land of darkness? why do my people say, We are free; we will no longer come to you?

32 Can a young woman forget her jewelry, or a bride her dress? yet my people have forgotten me for days without number.

33 How well you make plans in search of love? even wicked women learn from you.

34 Your skirts are also stained with the blood of poor innocent people. You did not catch them breaking and entering, but in spite of these things:

35 You claim, I am innocent, surely he will stop being angry with me. Behold, I will condemn you, because you say, I have not sinned.

36 How frivolous you are about changing your ways? you will be ashamed of Egypt, as you were ashamed of Assyria.

37 Yea, you will leave Egypt, with your hands on your head: for the LORD has rejected those you trust, and you will not do well with them.