1Moreover the word of Yahuah (LORD) came to me, saying,
2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahuah (LORD); I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
3Yashar'el (Israel) was holiness unto Yahuah (LORD), and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, says Yahuah (LORD).
4Hear you the word of Yahuah (LORD), O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Yashar'el (Israel):
5Thus says Yahuah (LORD), What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
6Neither said they, Where is Yahuah (LORD) that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.
8The priests said not, Where is Yahuah (LORD)? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
9Wherefore I will yet plead with you, says Yahuah (LORD), and with your children’s children will I plead.
10For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
11Has a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
12Be astonished, O you heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be you very desolate, says Yahuah (LORD).
13For 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.
14Is Yashar'el (Israel) a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
15The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
16Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of your head.
17Have you not procured this unto thyself, in that you have forsaken Yahuah Elohayka (the LORD thy God), when he led you by the way?
18And now what have you to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what have you to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
19Your own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that you have forsaken Yahuah Elohayka (the LORD thy God), and that my fear is not in you, says Adonai Yahuah (the Lord GOD) of hosts.
20For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bands; and you saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree you wanderest, playing the harlot.
21Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then are you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
22For though you wash you with nitre, and take you much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me, says Adonai Yahuah (the Lord GOD).
23How can you say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see your way in the valley, know what you have done: you are a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
24A 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.
25Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst: but you saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
26As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Yashar'el (Israel) ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
27Saying to a stock, You are my father; and to a stone, You have 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.
28But where are your gods that you have made you? let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble: for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Yahudah (Judah).
29Wherefore will you plead with me? you all have transgressed against me, says Yahuah (LORD).
30In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
31O generation, see you the word of Yahuah (LORD). Have I been a wilderness unto Yashar'el (Israel)? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto you?
32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
33Why trimmest you your way to seek love? therefore have you also taught the wicked ones your ways.
34Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
35Yet you say, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with you, because you say, I have not sinned.
36Why gaddest you about so much to change your way? you also shall be ashamed of Egypt, as you were ashamed of Assyria.
37Yea, you shall go forth from him, and your hands upon your head: for Yahuah (LORD) has rejected your confidences, and you shall not prosper in them.