Jeremiah 2:20-30

20“For long ago 12I broke your yoke And tore off your restraints; But you said, ‘I will not serve!’ For on every 3high hill And under every leafy tree You have lain down as a prostitute.21Yet I 4planted you as a choice vine, A completely faithful seed. How then have you turned yourself before Me Into the 5degenerate shoots of a foreign vine?22Although you 6wash yourself with lye And 7use much soap, The 8stain of your guilt is before Me,” declares the Lord 9God.23“10How can you say, ‘I am not defiled, I have not gone after the 11Baals’? Look at your way in the 12valley! Know what you have done! You are a swift young camel 13running about senselessly on her ways,24A 14wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, That sniffs the wind in her passion. Who can turn her away in her mating season? None who seek her will grow weary; In her month they will find her.25Keep your feet from being bare, And your throat from thirst; But you said, ‘15It is 16hopeless! No! For I have 17loved strangers, And I will walk after them.’

26“Like the shame of a 18thief when he is discovered, So the house of Israel is shamed; They, their kings, their leaders, Their priests, and their prophets,27Who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their 19backs to Me, And not their faces; But in the 20time of their 21trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us!’28But where are your 22gods Which you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can 23save you In the time of your 24trouble! For 25as many as the number of your cities Are your gods, Judah.

29“Why do you contend with Me? You have 26all revolted against Me,” declares the Lord.30“27In vain I have struck your sons; They did not accept discipline. Your 28sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion.