Yahweh Remembers Israel's Faithfulness
2 "Go thy way, cry in the ears of Jerusalem, and say, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: I remember thee for the kindness of thy youth, and because of thy steadfast love: in that thou followedst me through the wilderness, in an untilled 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 Thou Israel wast hallowed unto the LORD, and so was his firstfruits. All they that devoured Israel, offended: misfortune fell upon them, sayeth 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 Hear therefore the word of the LORD, O thou house of Jacob, and all the generation of the house 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 Thus sayeth the LORD unto you, "What unfaithfulness found your fathers in me, that they went so far away from me, falling to lightness, and being so vain?
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 They thought not in their hearts, 'Where have we left the LORD, that brought us out of the land of Egypt? That led us through the wilderness; through a desert and rough land; through a dry and deadly land; yea a land that no man had gone through, and wherein no man had dwelt?'
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 when I had brought you into a pleasant well builded land, that ye might enjoy the fruits and all the commodities of the same: ye went forth and defiled my land, and brought mine heritage to abomination.
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 themselves said not once, 'Where is the LORD?' They that have the law in their hands, know me not: The shepherds offend against me. The Prophets do service unto Baal, and follow such things as shall bring them no profit.
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 "Wherefore I am constrained, sayeth the LORD, to make my complaint upon you, and upon your 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 Go into the Isles of Chittim, and look well; send unto Kedar, and take diligent heed; and see, whether such things be done there,
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 whether the Gentiles themselves deal so falsely and untruly with their gods - which yet are no gods indeed! But my people hath given over their high honour, for a thing that may not help them.
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 hath done two evils: They have forsaken me, the well of the water of life; and digged them pits, yea, vile and broken pits, that hold no 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 Why do they roar and cry then upon him, as a lion? They have made his land waste, his cities are so burnt up, that there is no man dwelling 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 Cometh not this unto thee, because thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, ever since he led thee 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 what hast thou now to do in the street of Egypt? To drink foul water? Either, what makest thou in the way to Assyria? To drink water of the flood?
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 Thine own wickedness shall reprove thee, and thy turning away shall condemn thee: that thou mayest know and understand, how evil and hurtful a thing it is, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and not feared him, sayeth the LORD God of Hosts.
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 "I have ever broken thy yoke of old, and bursten thy bonds: yet sayest thou, 'I will no more serve.' But like a harlot thou runnest about upon all high hills,
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 and among all green trees. Whereas I planted thee out of noble grapes and good roots. How art thou turned then into a bitter, unfruitful, and strange grape?
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 Yea, and that so sore, that though thou washest thee with Nitre and makest thyself to savour with that sweet smelling herb of Borith: yet in my sight thou art stained with thy wickedness, sayeth the LORD thy 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 Say not now, 'I am not unclean, and I have not followed Baal.' Look upon thy own ways in the woods, valleys and dens: so shalt thou know, what thou hast done. Thou art like a swift Dromedary that goeth easily his way:
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 and thy wantonness is like a wild Ass, that useth the wilderness, and that snuffeth and bloweth at his will. Who can tame thee? All they that seek thee, shall not fail, but find thee in thy own uncleanness.
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 Thou keepest thy foot from nakedness, and thy throat from thirst, and thinkest thus in thyself, 'Tush: I will take no sorrow; I will love the strange gods, and hang upon them.'
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 Like as a thief that is taken with the deed cometh to shame, even so is the house of Israel come to confusion: the common people, their kings and rulers, their priests and 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 For they say to a stock, 'Thou art my father,' and to a stone, 'Thou hast begotten me.' Yea, they have turned their back upon me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble, when they say, 'Stand up and help us!'
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 I shall answer them: Where are now thy gods, that thou hast made thee? Bid them stand up, and help thee in the time of need! For look how many cities thou hast, O Judah: so many gods hast thou also.
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 Wherefore then will ye go to law with me, seeing ye all are sinners against me, sayeth 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 It is but lost labour, that I smite your children, for they receive not my correction. Your own sword destroyeth your prophets, like a devouring 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 If ye be the people of the LORD, then hearken unto his word: Am I then become a wilderness unto the people of Israel? Or a land that hath no light? Wherefore sayeth my people then, 'We are lords; and we will come no more unto thee'?
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 Doth a maiden forget her raiment, or a bride her stomacher? But as for my people, they have forgotten me for days innumerable.
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 Why boastest thou thy ways so highly, to obtain favour therethrough, when thou hast yet stained them with blasphemies?
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 Upon thy wings is found the blood of poor and innocent people; and that not in corners and holes only, but openly in all these places.
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 Yet darest thou say, 'I am guiltless: Tush, his wrath cannot come upon me.' Behold, I will reason with thee because thou darest say, 'I have not offended.'
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 O how evil will it be for thee to abide it, when it shall be known how oft thou hast gone backward? For thou shalt be confounded as well of Egypt, as thou wast of the Assyrians.
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 Yea, thou shalt go thy way from them, and smite thine hands together upon thy head. Because the LORD shall bring that confidence and hope of thine to naught, and thou shalt not prosper withal."
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."