Jeremiah 2:8-26

8The priests didn’t ask, “Where is the Lord?” Those who deal with my teachings didn’t know me. The rulers rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and followed statues that couldn’t help them.

9“That is why I am bringing charges against you,” declares the Lord, “and I am bringing charges against your grandchildren.

10Go over to the coasts of Cyprus, and see. Send ⌞someone⌟ to Kedar, and observe closely. See if there has ever been anything like this.

11Has any nation ever exchanged gods? (Their gods aren’t really gods.) Yet, my people have exchanged their Glory for something that doesn’t help them.

12Be horrified over this, heaven. Be terribly afraid,” declares the Lord.

13“My people have done two things wrong. They have abandoned me, the fountain of life-giving water. They have also dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that can’t hold water.

14“Are the people of Israel slaves? Were they born into slavery? Why, then, have they become someone’s property?

15Young lions have roared very loudly at them. Young lions have turned the land into a wasteland. The cities have been burned down, and everyone has left.

16People from Noph and Tahpanhes have cracked your skulls, Israel.

17You have brought this on yourself by abandoning the Lord your God when he led you on his way.

18You won’t gain anything by going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile River. You won’t gain anything by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates River.

19Your own wickedness will correct you, and your unfaithful ways will punish you. You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you if you abandon the Lord your God and do not fear me,” declares the Almighty Lord of Armies.

20“Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your chains, and said that you wouldn’t be a slave. You lay down and acted like a prostitute on every high hill and under every large tree.

21I planted you like a choice grapevine from the very best seed. Now you have turned against me and have become a wild vine.

22Even if you wash with detergent and use a lot of soap, I would still see the stains from your wickedness,” declares the Almighty Lord.

23“How can you say that you haven’t dishonored yourselves and haven’t followed other gods—the Baals? Look how you’ve behaved in the valley. Acknowledge what you’ve done. You are like a young camel that swiftly runs here and there.

24You are like a wild donkey that is used to the desert, sniffing the wind while in heat. All who look for you won’t get tired. They will find you during your monthly period.

25Don’t run until your feet are bare and your throats are dry. But you say that it’s useless. You love foreign gods and follow them.

26“As a thief feels ashamed when he’s caught, so the nation of Israel will feel ashamed. Their kings, princes, priests, and prophets will also feel ashamed.