Yahweh Remembers Israel's Faithfulness
2 Go and announce to Jerusalem, 'This is what Jehovah says: I remember the unfailing loyalty of your youth, the love you had for me as a bride. I remember how you followed me into the desert, into a land that was not sown (farmed).
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 dedicated (consecrated) to Jehovah. It was the best part of the harvest. All who consumed it became guilty, and disaster struck them,' says Jehovah.
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 Listen to the word of Jehovah, offspring of Jacob, all the families in 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 Jehovah says: What bad thing (injustice) did your fathers find in me that they went so far away from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless (lead astray) themselves.
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 did not ask: 'Where is Jehovah who brought us from Egypt? He led us through the desert, through a wasteland and its pits, a land of drought and the shadow of death. No one lives there or travels there.'
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 I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and its produce. You came and made my land unclean. You made my heritage disgusting.
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 ask: 'Where is Jehovah? Those who deal with my Law did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and followed things that could not help (profit) them.'
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 That is why I will bring charges against you, proclaims Jehovah, and I will bring charges against your grandchildren.
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 over to the coasts of Cyprus (Kittim), and see. Send someone to Kedar and observe closely. See if there has ever been such a thing as this.
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 exchanged gods? Their gods are not really gods. Yet my people have exchanged their glory for something that does 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 My people have done two things wrong: (l) They have abandoned me, the fountain (source) of living waters. They have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Revelation 4:11)
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 Young lions have roared at them. Young lions have turned the land into waste. The cities have been destroyed, without inhabitant.
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 You have done this to yourself by abandoning Jehovah your God when he led you on his 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 Why are you going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile (Shihor) River? You will not gain anything by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates 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 Your own wickedness will correct you. Your apostasies (unfaithful ways) will punish you! You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you when you abandon Jehovah your God! You do not respect (reverence) me, says the Sovereign Lord Jehovah 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 Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your bonds, and said that you would not be a slave. You lay down and acted like a prostitute on every high hill and under every large tree.
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 I planted you like a choice grapevine from the very best seed. Now you have turned against me and have become a wild 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 If you wash with detergent and use a lot of soap, I would still see the stains from your wickedness, says the Lord Jehovah.
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 can you say, 'I have not been dishonored and have not gone after the Baal gods?' Look how you have behaved in the valley. Acknowledge what you have done. You are like a young camel that swiftly runs here and there.
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 You are like a wild donkey accustomed to the desert. You sniff at the wind while in heat. All who seek you will not get tired. They will find you during your monthly period.
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 run until your feet are bare and your throats are dry. But you say that it is useless. You love foreign gods and follow 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 As a thief feels ashamed when he is caught, so the nation of Israel will feel ashamed. Their kings, princes, priests, and prophets will also feel ashamed.
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 You call wood your father. You call stone your mother. You turned your backs, not your faces, to me. But when you are in trouble, you ask me to come and rescue you.
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 Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them come and rescue you when you have trouble. You have as many gods as you have cities, 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 do you complain about me? You have rebelled against me, proclaims Jehovah.
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 have punished your children without results. They did not respond to correction. You killed my prophets like a raging 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 you people of this generation consider the word of Jehovah! Have I been a wilderness, a land of thick darkness, for Israel? Why do my people say that they are free to wander around and no longer come to me?
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 A young woman cannot forget her jewelry or a bride her breastband (sash) (girdle). Yet, my people have forgotten me for countless 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 You carefully planned ways to look for love. You taught your ways to wicked women.
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 You have bloodstains from innocent poor people on your clothes. You did not kill them for breaking in to your home.
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 After all this you say: 'I am innocent. God will turn his anger from me. For I have not sinned.'
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 You change your mind so easily. You will be shamed by Egypt as you were shamed by 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 You will also leave this place with your hands over your head, because Jehovah has rejected those you trust. They will not help 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."