Jeremiah 2:26-37 - 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. 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!' 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.
29 Wherefore then will ye go to law with me, seeing ye all are sinners against me, sayeth 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. 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'? 32 Doth a maiden forget her raiment, or a bride her stomacher? But as for my people, they have forgotten me for days innumerable. 33 Why boastest thou thy ways so highly, to obtain favour therethrough, when thou hast yet stained them with blasphemies? 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. 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.' 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. 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."