Jeremiah:2

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* Moreover the word of the LORD came to me , saying , * Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem , saying , Thus said the 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 . * Israel was holiness to the LORD , and the first fruits of his increase : all that devour him shall offend ; evil shall come on them , said the LORD . * Hear you the word of the LORD , O house of Jacob , and all the families of the house of Israel : * Thus said the 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 ? * Neither said they , Where is the 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 dwelled ? * And 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 . * The priests said not , Where is the 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 . * Why I will yet plead with you , said the LORD , and with your children ' children will I plead . * For pass over the isles of Chittim , and see ; and send to Kedar , and consider diligently , and see if there be such a thing . * Has a nation changed their gods , which are yet no gods ? but my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit . * Be astonished , O you heavens , at this , and be horribly afraid , be you very desolate , said the LORD . * 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 . * Is Israel a servant ? is he a home born slave ? why is he spoiled ? * The young lions roared on him , and yelled , and they made his land waste : his cities are burned without inhabitant . * Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of your head . * Have you not procured this to yourself , in that you have forsaken the LORD your God , when he led you by the way ? * And 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 ? * Your 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 the LORD your God , and that my fear is not in you , said the Lord GOD of hosts . * For of old time I have broken your yoke , and burst your bands ; and you said , I will not transgress ; when on every high hill and under every green tree you wander , playing the harlot . * Yet I had planted you a noble vine , wholly a right seed : how then are you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine to me ? * For though you wash you with nitre , and take you much soap , yet your iniquity is marked before me , said the Lord GOD . * How 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 ; * A wild ass used to the wilderness , that snuffs 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 . * Withhold your foot from being unshod , and your throat from thirst : but you said , There is no hope : no ; for I have loved strangers , and after them will I go . * As the thief is ashamed when he is found , so is the house of Israel ashamed ; they , their kings , their princes , and their priests , and their prophets . * Saying to a stock , You are my father ; and to a stone , You have brought me forth : for they have turned their back to me , and not their face : but in the time of their trouble they will say , Arise , and save us . * But 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 Judah . * Why will you plead with me ? you all have transgressed against me , said the LORD . * In vain have I smitten your children ; they received no correction : your own sword has devoured your prophets , like a destroying lion . * O generation , see you the word of the LORD . Have I been a wilderness to Israel ? a land of darkness ? why say my people , We are lords ; we will come no more to you ? * Can a maid forget her ornaments , or a bride her attire ? yet my people have forgotten me days without number . * Why trim you your way to seek love ? therefore have you also taught the wicked ones your ways . * Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents : I have not found it by secret search , but on all these . * Yet 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 . * Why gad you about so much to change your way ? you also shall be ashamed of Egypt , as you were ashamed of Assyria . * Yes , you shall go forth from him , and your hands on your head : for the LORD has rejected your confidences , and you shall not prosper in them .

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