Yahweh Remembers Israel's Faithfulness
2 Go and say in the ears of Jerusalem, The Lord says, I still keep the memory of your kind heart when you were young, and your love when you became my bride; how you went after me in the waste of sand, in an unplanted land.
2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
2 “Go and (A)proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord,“I remember concerning you the (a)(B)devotion of your youth,The love of your betrothals,(C)Your following after Me in the wilderness,Through a land not sown.
2 “Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the Lord says:I remember the loyalty of your youth,(A)your love as a bride—how you followed Me in the wilderness,in a land not sown.
2 "Go and announce to Jerusalem: "This is what the LORD says: "I remember the loyal devotion of your youth, your love as a bride. You followed me in the desert, in a land that was not planted.
3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the first-fruits of his increase: all who made attacks on him were judged as wrongdoers, evil came on them, says the Lord.
3 Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
3 “Israel was (D)holy to the Lord,The (E)first of His harvest.(F)All who ate of it became guilty;Evil came upon them,” declares the Lord.’”
3 Israel was holy to the Lord,(B)the firstfruits of His harvest.(C)All who ate of it found themselves guilty;(D)disaster came on them.”This is the Lord’s declaration.
3 Israel was consecrated to the LORD, she was the first fruits of his produce. All who devoured her became guilty and disaster came on them," declares the LORD.'"
The Unfaithfulness Of Israel's Ancestors
4 Give ear to the words of the Lord, O sons of Jacob and all the families of Israel:
4 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel.
4 Hear the word of the Lord, house of Jacoband all families of the house of Israel.
4 Listen to this message from the LORD, you descendants of Jacob and all the families of the descendants of Israel.
5 These are the words of the Lord: What evil have your fathers seen in me that they have gone far from me, and, walking after what is false, have become false?
5 Thus saith 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?
5 Thus says the Lord,“(G)What injustice did your fathers find in Me,That they went far from MeAnd walked after (H)emptiness and became empty?
5 This is what the Lord says:What fault did your fathers find in Me(E)that they went so far from Me,followed worthless idols,(F)and became worthless themselves?(G)
5 This is what the LORD says: "What did your ancestors find wrong with me that they left me, and pursued worthless things, and so they became worthless?
6 And they never said, Where is the Lord, who took us up out of the land of Egypt; who was our guide through the waste of sand, through an unplanted land full of deep holes, through a dry land of deep shade, which no one went through and where no man was living?
6 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 dwelt?
6 “They did not say, ‘Where is the LordWho (I)brought us up out of the land of Egypt,Who (J)led us through the wilderness,Through a land of deserts and of pits,Through a land of drought and of (b)deep darkness,Through a land that no one crossedAnd where no man dwelt?’
6 They stopped asking, “Where is the Lord(H)who brought us from the land of Egypt,who led us through the wilderness,(I)through a land of deserts and ravines,through a land of drought and darkness,(a)a land no one traveled throughand where no one lived?”
6 "They didn't ask, "Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through the land of desert and pits, through the land of dryness and deep darkness, a land that people don't pass through, and where no one lives?'
7 And I took you into a fertile land, where you were living on its fruit and its wealth; but when you came in, you made my land unclean, and made my heritage a disgusting thing.
7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
7 “I brought you into the (K)fruitful landTo eat its fruit and its good things.But you came and (L)defiled My land,And My inheritance you made an abomination.
7 I brought you to a fertile land(J)to eat its fruit and bounty,but after you entered, you defiled My land;(K)you made My inheritance(L) detestable.
7 "I brought you into the fruitful land to eat its fruit and its good things. But you came in, defiled my land, and made my inheritance into an abomination.
8 The priests did not say, Where is the Lord? and those who were expert in the law had no knowledge of me: and the rulers did evil against me, and the prophets became prophets of the Baal, going after things without value.
8 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.
8 “The (M)priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’And those who handle the law (N)did not know Me;The (c)rulers also transgressed against Me,And the (O)prophets prophesied by BaalAnd walked after (P)things that did not profit.
8 The priests quit asking, “Where is the Lord?”The experts in the law no longer knew Me,(M)and the rulers(N) rebelled against Me.The prophets prophesied by(b) Baal(O)and followed useless idols.(P)
8 "The priests didn't say, "Where is the LORD?' and those handling the Law didn't know me. The rulers transgressed against me, the prophets prophesied by Baal, and they followed that which does not profit.
The Unfaithfulness Of Contemporary Israel
9 For this reason, I will again put forward my cause against you, says the Lord, even against you and against your children's children.
9 Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
9 “Therefore I will yet (Q)contend with you,” declares the Lord,“And with your sons’ sons I will contend.
9 Therefore, I will bring a case against you again.This is the Lord’s declaration.I will bring a case against your children’s children.(Q)
9 "Therefore I'll again accuse you," declares the LORD, "and I'll accuse your grandchildren."
10 For go over to the sea-lands of Kittim and see; send to Kedar and give deep thought to it; and see if there has ever been such a thing.
10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
10 “For (R)cross to the coastlands of (d)Kittim and see,And send to (S)Kedar and observe closelyAnd see if there has been such a thing as this!
10 Cross over to Cyprus(c)(R) and take a look.Send someone to Kedar(S) and consider carefully;see if there has ever been anything like this:
10 "Indeed, go over to the coasts of Cyprus and see, send to Kedar and pay very close attention. See if there has ever been such a thing as this!
11 Has any nation ever made a change in their gods, though they are no gods? but my people have given up their glory in exchange for what is of no profit.
11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
11 “Has a nation changed godsWhen (T)they were not gods?But My people have (U)changed their gloryFor that which does not profit.
11 Has a nation ever exchanged its gods?(T)(But they were not gods!(U))Yet My people have exchanged their(d) Gloryfor useless idols.(V)
11 Has a nation ever changed gods when they aren't even gods? But my people have exchanged their glory for that which does not profit.
13 For my people have done two evils; they have given up me, the fountain of living waters, and have made for themselves water-holes, cut out from the rock, broken water-holes, of no use for storing water.
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.
13 “For My people have committed two evils:They have forsaken Me,The (W)fountain of living waters,To hew for themselves (X)cisterns,Broken cisternsThat can hold no water.
13 For My people have committed a double evil:They have abandoned Me,(X)the fountain of living water,(Y)and dug cisterns for themselves,cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.(Z)
13 "Indeed, my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
Consequences Of Apostasy
15 The young lions have made an outcry against him with a loud voice: they have made his land waste; his towns are burned up, with no one living in them.
15 The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
15 “The young (Z)lions have roared at him,They have (e)roared loudly.And they have (AA)made his land a waste;His cities have been destroyed, without inhabitant.
15 The young lions have roared at him;(AA)they have roared loudly.They have laid waste his land.(AB)His cities are in ruins, without inhabitants.
15 Young lions roar at him, they cry out loudly. They have made his land into a wasteland, and his cities are destroyed so they are without inhabitants.
17 Has not this come on you because you have given up the Lord your God, who was your guide by the way?
17 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?
17 “Have you not (AD)done this to yourselfBy your forsaking the Lord your GodWhen He (AE)led you in the way?
17 Have you not brought this on yourself(AD)by abandoning the Lord your Godwhile He was leading you along the way?
17 You have done this to yourselves, have you not, by forsaking the LORD your God, when he is the one who led you on the way?
18 And now, what have you to do on the way to Egypt, to get your drink from the waters of the Nile? or what have you to do on the way to Assyria, to get your drink from the waters of the River?
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?
18 “But now what are you doing (AF)on the road to Egypt,To drink the waters of the (h)(AG)Nile?Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria,To drink the waters of the (i)Euphrates?
18 Now what will you gainby traveling along the way to Egypt(AE)to drink the waters of the Nile?(f)What will you gainby traveling along the way to Assyria(AF)to drink the waters of the Euphrates?(AG)
18 Now, what are you doing on the road to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? And what are you doing on the road to Assyria, to drink the waters of the Euphrates?
19 The evil you yourselves have done will be your punishment, your errors will be your judge: be certain then, and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing to give up the Lord your God, and no longer to be moved by fear of me, says the Lord, the Lord of armies.
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.
19 “(AH)Your own wickedness will correct you,And your (AI)apostasies will reprove you;Know therefore and see that it is evil and (AJ)bitterFor you to forsake the Lord your God,And (AK)the dread of Me is not in you,” declares the Lord (j)God of hosts.
19 Your own evil will discipline you;(AH)your own apostasies will reprimand you.Think it over and see how evil and bitter(AI) it isfor you to abandon the Lord your Godand to have no fear of Me.This is the declarationof the Lord God of Hosts.
19 Your wickedness will be punished, and you will be corrected due to your acts of apostasy. Know and see that it's evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God, but the fear of me is not in you," declares the Lord GOD of the Heavenly Armies.
Israel Refuses To Worship The Lord
20 For in the past, your yoke was broken by your hands and your cords parted; and you said, I will not be your servant; for on every high hill and under every branching tree, your behaviour was like that of a loose woman
20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
20 “For long ago (k)(AL)I broke your yokeAnd tore off your bonds;But you said, ‘I will not serve!’For on every (AM)high hillAnd under every green treeYou have lain down as a harlot.
20 For long ago I(g) broke your yoke;(AJ)I(h) tore off your chains.You insisted, “I will not serve!”On every high hilland under every green tree(AK)you lie down like a prostitute.(AL)
20 "For long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds, But you said, "I won't serve you!' Instead, on every high hill and under every green tree, you bend down to commit fornication.
21 But when you were planted by me, you were a noble vine, in every way a true seed: how then have you been changed into the branching plant of a strange vine?
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?
21 “Yet I (AN)planted you a choice vine,A completely faithful seed.How then have you turned yourself before MeInto the (AO)degenerate shoots of a foreign vine?
21 I planted you, a choice vine(AM)from the very best seed.How then could you turn intoa degenerate, foreign vine?(AN)
21 I planted you myself as a choice vine, from the very best seed. How did you turn against me into a degenerate and foreign vine?
22 For even if you are washed with soda and take much soap, still your evil-doing is marked before me, says the Lord God.
22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
22 “Although you (AP)wash yourself with lyeAnd (l)use much soap,The (AQ)stain of your iniquity is before Me,” declares the Lord (m)God.
22 Even if you wash with lyeand use a great amount of soap,(AO)the stain of your sin is still in front of Me.(AP)This is the Lord God’s declaration.
22 Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me," declares the Lord GOD.
23 How are you able to say, I am not unclean, I have not gone after the Baals? see your way in the valley, be clear about what you have done: you are a quick-footed camel twisting her way in and out;
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;
23 “(AR)How can you say, ‘I am not defiled,I have not gone after the (AS)Baals’?Look at your way in the (AT)valley!Know what you have done!You are a swift young camel (AU)entangling her ways,
23 How can you protest, “I am not defiled;I have not followed the Baals”?(AQ)Look at your behavior in the valley;acknowledge what you have done.(AR)You are a swift young cameltwisting and turning on her way,
23 "How can you say, "I'm not defiled. I haven't gone after the Baals.'? Look at what you've done in the valley. Know what you have done. You are a swift young camel galloping aimlessly;
24 An untrained ass, used to the waste land, breathing up the wind in her desire; at her time, who is able to send her away? all those who are looking for her will have no need to make themselves tired; in her month they will get her.
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.
24 A (AV)wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness,That sniffs the wind in her passion.In the time of her (n)heat who can turn her away?All who seek her will not become weary;In her month they will find her.
24 a wild donkey(AS) at home(i) in the wilderness.She sniffs the wind in the heat of her desire.Who can control her passion?All who look for her will not become tired;they will find her in her mating season.(j)
24 a wild donkey accustomed to the desert, sniffing the wind in her passion. When she's in heat, who can turn her away? None of the males who pursue her need to tire themselves out, for in her month they'll find her."
25 Do not let your foot be without shoes, or your throat dry from need of water: but you said, There is no hope: no, for I have been a lover of strange gods, and after them I will go.
25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
25 “Keep your feet from being unshodAnd your throat from thirst;But you said, ‘(AW)It is (o)hopeless!No! For I have (AX)loved strangers,And after them I will walk.’
25 Keep your feet from going bareand your throat from thirst.But you say, “It’s hopeless;(AT)I love strangers,(AU)and I will continue to follow them.”
25 "Don't run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry. But you say, "It's hopeless! Because I love foreign gods, I'll go after them!'"
Israel Deserves To Be Punished
26 As the thief is shamed when he is taken, so is Israel shamed; they, their kings and their rulers, their priests and their prophets;
26 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,
26 “As the (AY)thief is shamed when he is discovered,So the house of Israel is shamed;They, their kings, their princesAnd their priests and their prophets,
26 Like the shame of a thief when he is caught,so the house of Israel has been put to shame.(AV)They, their kings, their officials,their priests, and their prophets(AW)
26 "As a thief is disgraced when he's caught, so the house of Israel is disgraced they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets,
27 Who say to a tree, You are my father; and to a stone, You have given me life: for their backs have been turned to me, not their faces: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Up! and be our saviour.
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.
27 Who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’And to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’For they have turned their (AZ)back to Me,And not their face;But in the (BA)time of their (p)trouble they will say,‘Arise and save us.’
27 say to a tree, “You are my father,”and to a stone, “You gave birth to me.”For they have turned their back to Meand not their face,(AX)yet in their time of disaster(AY) they beg,“Rise up and save us!”
27 who say to a tree, "You are my father,' and to a stone, "You gave birth to me.' They have turned their back to me, but not their faces. In the time of their trouble, they'll say, "Rise up! Deliver us!'"
28 But where are the gods you have made for yourselves? let them come, if they are able to give you salvation in the time of your trouble: for the number of your gods is as the number of your towns, O Judah.
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.
28 “But where are your (BB)godsWhich you made for yourself?Let them arise, if they can (BC)save youIn the time of your (q)trouble;For (BD)according to the number of your citiesAre your gods, O Judah.
28 But where are your gods you made for yourself?Let them rise up and save you(AZ)in your time of disaster if they can,for your gods are as numerous as your cities, Judah.
28 "But where are your gods that you made for yourselves? Let them rise up, if they can deliver you in the time of your trouble. You have as many gods as you have towns, Judah.
Judgment Deserved
29 Why will you put forward your cause against me? You have all done evil against me, says the Lord.
29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
29 Why do you bring a case against Me?(BA)All of you have rebelled against Me.This is the Lord’s declaration.
29 Why do you contend with me? You have rebelled against me," declares the LORD.
30 I gave your children blows to no purpose; they got no good from training: your sword has been the destruction of your prophets, like a death-giving lion.
30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
30 “(BF)In vain I have struck your sons;They accepted no chastening.Your (BG)sword has devoured your prophetsLike a destroying lion.
30 I have struck down your children in vain;they would not accept discipline.(BB)Your own sword has devoured your prophets(BC)like a ravaging lion.
30 "I've punished your children with no results, they have accepted no discipline. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destroying lion."
31 O generation, see the word of the Lord. Have I been a waste land to Israel? or a land of dark night? why do my people say, We have got loose, we will not come to you again?
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 no more unto thee?
31 “O generation, heed the word of the Lord.Have I been a wilderness to Israel,Or a (BH)land of thick darkness?Why do My people say, ‘(BI)We are free to roam;We will no longer come to You’?
31 Evil generation,pay attention to the word of the Lord!Have I been a wilderness to Israelor a land of dense darkness?(BD)Why do My people claim,“We will go where we want;(k)we will no longer come to You”?
31 "You, generation, pay attention to this message from the LORD! Am I the desert to Israel, or a land of gloom? Why do my people say, "We're free to roam? We won't come to you anymore.'
32 Is it possible for a virgin to put out of her memory her ornaments, or a bride her robes? but my people have put me out of their memories for unnumbered days.
32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
32 “Can a virgin forget her ornaments,Or a bride her attire?Yet My people have (BJ)forgotten MeDays without number.
32 Can a young woman forget her jewelry(BE)or a bride her wedding sash?Yet My people have forgotten Me(BF)for countless days.
32 Will a young woman forget her wedding ornaments, or a bride her attire? But my people have forgotten me days without number.
33 With what care are your ways ordered when you are looking for love! so ... your ways.
33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
33 “How well you prepare your wayTo seek love!Therefore even (r)the wicked womenYou have taught your ways.
33 How skillfully you pursue love;you also teach evil women your ways.
33 How well you perfect your techniques for seeking love. Therefore you can teach even the most immoral women your techniques.
34 And in the skirts of your robe may be seen the life-blood of those who have done no wrong: ...
34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
34 “Also on your skirts is foundThe (BK)lifeblood of the innocent poor;You did not find them (BL)breaking in.But in spite of all these things,
34 Moreover, your skirts are stainedwith the blood of the innocent poor.(BG)You did not catch them breaking and entering.(BH)But in spite of all these things
34 On your skirts is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor, even though you didn't catch them breaking in. Yet despite all these things,
35 And still you said, I have done no wrong; truly, his wrath is turned away from me. See, I will take up the cause against you, because you say, I have done no wrong.
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.
35 Yet you said, ‘I am innocent;Surely His anger is turned away from me.’Behold, I will (BM)enter into judgment with youBecause you (BN)say, ‘I have not sinned.’
35 you claim, “I am innocent.(BI)His anger is sure to turn away from me.”But I will certainly judge youbecause you have said, “I have not sinned.”(BJ)
35 you say, "I'm innocent. Surely his anger has turned away from me.'" "I'm about to bring charges against you because you say, "I haven't sinned.'
36 Why do you go about so much for the purpose of changing your way? you will be shamed on account of Egypt, as you were shamed on account of Assyria.
36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
36 “Why do you (BO)go around so muchChanging your way?Also, (BP)you will be put to shame by EgyptAs you were put to shame by (BQ)Assyria.
36 How unstable you are,(BK)constantly changing your ways!You will be put to shame by Egypt(BL)just as you were put to shame by Assyria.
36 Why do you go about changing your mind so much? You will also be disappointed by Egypt, just as you were disappointed by Assyria.
37 Truly, you will go out from him with your hands on your head: for the Lord has given up those in whom you have put your faith, and they will be of no help to you.
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.
37 “From this place also you will go outWith (BR)your hands on your head;For the Lord has rejected (BS)those in whom you trust,And you will not prosper with them.”
37 Moreover, you will be led out from herewith your hands on your head(BM)since the Lord has rejected those you trust;(BN)you will not succeed even with their help.(l)
37 You will also go out from this place with your hands over your heads. For the LORD has rejected those in whom you trust, and you won't prosper through them."