Jeremiah 2:8-26

8The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handled the law knew me not; and the shepherds transgressed against me; and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.

9Therefore will I yet plead with you, saith Jehovah, and with your children's children will I plead.

10For pass over to the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there have been such a thing.

11Hath a nation changed [its] 1gods? and they are no 2gods; — but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

12Be astonished, ye heavens, at this, and shudder; be amazed very much, saith Jehovah.

13For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, to hew them out cisterns, broken cisterns that hold no water.

14Is Israel a bondman? Is he a home-born [slave]? Why is he become a spoil?

15The young lions roared against him, they gave forth their voice, and they made his land desolate: his cities are burned, without inhabitant.

16Even the children of Noph and Tahapanes have fed on the crown of thy head.

17Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy 3God, at the time he was leading thee in the way?

18And now, what hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? And what hast thou to do with the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

19Thine own wickedness chastiseth thee, and thy backslidings reprove thee: know then and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy 4God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

20For of old thou hast broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not serve. For upon every high hill, and under every green tree, thou bowest down, playing the harlot.

21And I, — I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how then art thou turned into the degenerate shoots of a strange vine unto me?

22For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much potash, thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah.

23How sayest thou, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baals? See thy way in the valley, acknowledge what thou hast done — a swift dromedary traversing her ways!

24— a wild ass, used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire! In her ardour, who shall turn her away? All they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

25Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst. But thou saidst, There is no hope; no, for I love strangers, and after them will I go.

26As a thief is ashamed when he is found, so shall the house of Israel be ashamed — they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets —