Jeremiah 2:9-37

Jeremiah 2:9-37

[9] Wherefore I will yet plead  with you, saith  the LORD,  and with your children's  will I plead.  [10] For pass over  the isles  of Chittim,  and see;  and send  unto Kedar,  and consider  diligently,  and see  [11] Hath a nation  their gods,  but my people  have changed  their glory  for that which doth not profit.  [12] Be astonished,  O ye heavens,  at this, and be horribly afraid,  be ye very  desolate,  saith  the LORD.  [13] For my people  have committed  two  evils;  they have forsaken  me the fountain  of living  waters,  and hewed them out  cisterns,  broken  cisterns,  that can hold  no water.  [14] Is Israel  a servant?  is he a homeborn  slave? why  is he spoiled?  [15] The young lions  roared  upon him, and yelled,  and they made  his land  waste:  his cities  are burned  without inhabitant.  [16] Also the children  of Noph  and Tahapanes  have broken  the crown of thy head.  [17] Hast thou not procured  this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken  the LORD  thy God,  when  thee by the way?  [18] And now what hast thou to do in the way  of Egypt,  to drink  the waters  of Sihor?  or what hast thou to do in the way  of Assyria,  to drink  the waters  of the river?  [19] Thine own wickedness  shall correct  thee, and thy backslidings  shall reprove  thee: know  therefore and see  that it is an evil  thing and bitter,  that thou hast forsaken  the LORD  thy God,  and that my fear  is not in thee, saith  the Lord  GOD  of hosts.  [20] For of old time  I have broken  thy yoke,  and burst  thy bands;  and thou saidst,  when upon every high  hill  and under every green  tree  thou wanderest,  playing the harlot.  [21] Yet I had planted  thee a noble vine,  wholly a right  seed:  how then art thou turned  into the degenerate plant  of a strange  vine  unto me? [22] For though thou wash  thee with nitre,  and take thee much  soap,  yet thine iniquity  is marked  before  me, saith  the Lord  GOD.  [23] How canst thou say,  I am not polluted,  I have not gone  after  Baalim?  see  thy way  in the valley,  know  what thou hast done:  thou art a swift  dromedary  traversing  her ways;  [24] A wild ass  used  to the wilderness,  that snuffeth up  the wind  at her pleasure;  in her occasion  who can turn her away?  all they that seek  her will not weary  themselves; in her month  they shall find  her. [25] Withhold  thy foot  from being unshod,  from thirst:  but thou saidst,  There is no hope:  no; for I have loved  strangers,  and after  [26] As the thief  is ashamed  when he is found,  so is the house  of Israel  they, their kings,  their princes,  and their priests,  and their prophets,  [27] Saying  to a stock,  Thou art my father;  and to a stone,  Thou hast brought me forth:  for they have turned  their back  unto me, and not their face:  but in the time  of their trouble  they will say,  Arise,  and save  us. [28] But where are thy gods  that thou hast made  thee? let them arise,  if they can save  thee in the time  of thy trouble:  for according to the number  of thy cities  are thy gods,  O Judah.  [29] Wherefore will ye plead  with me? ye all have transgressed  against me, saith  the LORD.  [30] In vain  have I smitten  your children;  they received  no correction:  your own sword  hath devoured  your prophets,  like a destroying  lion.  [31] O generation,  see  ye the word  of the LORD.  Have I been a wilderness  unto Israel?  a land  of darkness?  wherefore say  my people,  We are lords;  we will come  [32] Can a maid  forget  her ornaments,  or a bride  her attire?  yet my people  have forgotten  me days  without number.  [33] Why trimmest  thou thy way  to seek  love?  therefore hast thou also taught  the wicked ones  thy ways.  [34] Also in thy skirts  is found  the blood  of the souls  of the poor  innocents:  I have not found  it by secret search,  [35] Yet thou sayest,  Because I am innocent,  surely his anger  shall turn  from me. Behold, I will plead  with thee, because thou sayest,  I have not sinned.  [36] Why gaddest thou about  so much  to change  thy way?  thou also shalt be ashamed  of Egypt,  as thou wast ashamed  of Assyria.  [37] Yea, thou shalt go forth  from him, and thine hands  upon thine head:  for the LORD  hath rejected  thy confidences,  and thou shalt not prosper  in them.