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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Jeremiah 2 New American Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/jeremiah/2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div 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cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../jeremiah/1.htm" title="Jeremiah 1">◄</a> Jeremiah 2 <a href="../jeremiah/3.htm" title="Jeremiah 3">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New American Bible Revised Edition</td><td width="1%" valign="top"></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><section id="ch30002" class="chapter"> <h1 id="cn30002" class="cn"></h1> <p class="pf"><span class="hemb">Infidelity of Israel.<a id="rfn30002001-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002001-1">*</a></span> <span id="v30002001" class="ver">1</span>The word of the <span class="tetr">Lord</span> came to me: <span id="v30002002" class="ver">2</span>Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!</p> <div class="senseline"> <p class="slf">I remember the devotion<a id="rfn30002002-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002002-1">*</a> of your youth,</p> <p class="sl1">how you loved me as a bride,</p> <p class="sl">Following me in the wilderness,</p> <p class="sl1">in a land unsown.<a id="ren30002002-a" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002002-a">a</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002003" class="ver">3</span>Israel was dedicated to the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>,</p> <p class="sl1">the first fruits<a id="rfn30002003-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002003-1">*</a> of his harvest;</p> <p class="sl">All who ate of it were held guilty,</p> <p class="sl1">evil befell them—oracle of the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>.<a id="ren30002003-b" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002003-b">b</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002004" class="ver">4</span>Listen to the word of the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>, house of Jacob!</p> <p class="sl1">All you clans of the house of Israel,</p> <p class="sl1"><span id="v30002005" class="ver">5</span>thus says the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>:</p> <p class="sl">What fault did your ancestors find in me</p> <p class="sl1">that they withdrew from me,</p> <p class="sl">Went after emptiness,</p> <p class="sl1">and became empty themselves?<a id="ren30002005-c" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002005-c">c</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002006" class="ver">6</span>They did not ask, “Where is the <span class="tetr">Lord</span></p> <p class="sl1">who brought us up from the land of Egypt,</p> <p class="sl">Who led us through the wilderness,</p> <p class="sl1">through a land of wastes and ravines,</p> <p class="sl">A land of drought and darkness,</p> <p class="sl1">a land which no one crosses,</p> <p class="sl1">where no one dwells?”<a id="ren30002006-d" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002006-d">d</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002007" class="ver">7</span>I brought you into the garden land</p> <p class="sl1">to eat its fine fruits,</p> <p class="sl">But you entered and defiled my land,</p> <p class="sl1">you turned my heritage into an abomination.<a id="ren30002007-e" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002007-e">e</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002008" class="ver">8</span>The priests did not ask,</p> <p class="sl1">“Where is the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>?”</p> <p class="sl">The experts in the law<a id="rfn30002008-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002008-1">*</a> did not know me:</p> <p class="sl1">the shepherds rebelled against me.</p> <p class="sl">The prophets prophesied by Baal,</p> <p class="sl1">and went after useless idols.<a id="ren30002008-f" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002008-f">f</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002009" class="ver">9</span>Therefore I will again accuse you—oracle of the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>—</p> <p class="sl1">even your children’s children I will accuse.<a id="ren30002009-g" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002009-g">g</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002010" class="ver">10</span>Cross to the coast of Cyprus and see,</p> <p class="sl1">send to Kedar<a id="rfn30002010-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002010-1">*</a> and carefully inquire:</p> <p class="sl1">Where has anything like this been done?</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002011" class="ver">11</span>Does any other nation change its gods?—</p> <p class="sl1">even though they are not gods at all!</p> <p class="sl">But my people have changed their glory</p> <p class="sl1">for useless things.<a id="ren30002011-h" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002011-h">h</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002012" class="ver">12</span>Be horrified at this, heavens;</p> <p class="sl1">shudder, be appalled—oracle of the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>.</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002013" class="ver">13</span>Two evils my people have done:</p> <p class="sl1">they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;</p> <p class="sl">They have dug themselves cisterns,</p> <p class="sl1">broken cisterns that cannot hold water.<a id="ren30002013-i" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002013-i">i</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002014" class="ver">14</span>Is Israel a slave, a house-born servant?<a id="rfn30002014-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002014-1">*</a></p> <p class="sl1">Why then has he become plunder?</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002015" class="ver">15</span>Against him lions roar,</p> <p class="sl1">they raise their voices.</p> <p class="sl">They have turned his land into a waste;</p> <p class="sl1">his cities are charred ruins, without an inhabitant.<a id="ren30002015-j" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002015-j">j</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002016" class="ver">16</span>Yes, the people of Memphis<a id="rfn30002016-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002016-1">*</a> and Tahpanhes</p> <p class="sl1">shave the crown of your head.</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002017" class="ver">17</span>Has not forsaking the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>, your God,</p> <p class="sl1">done this to you?<a id="ren30002017-k" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002017-k">k</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002018" class="ver">18</span>And now, why go to Egypt,<a id="rfn30002018-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002018-1">*</a></p> <p class="sl1">to drink the waters of the Nile?</p> <p class="sl">Why go to Assyria,</p> <p class="sl1">to drink the waters of the River?</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002019" class="ver">19</span>Your own wickedness chastises you,</p> <p class="sl1">your own infidelities punish you.</p> <p class="sl">Know then, and see, how evil and bitter</p> <p class="sl1">is your forsaking the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>, your God,</p> <p class="sl">And your showing no fear of me,</p> <p class="sl1">oracle of the Lord, the <span class="tetr">God</span> of hosts.<a id="ren30002019-l" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002019-l">l</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002020" class="ver">20</span>Long ago you broke your yoke,<a id="ren30002020-m" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002020-m">m</a></p> <p class="sl1">you tore off your bonds.</p> <p class="sl1">You said, “I will not serve.”</p> <p class="sl">On every high hill, under every green tree,</p> <p class="sl1">you sprawled and served as a prostitute.<a id="rfn30002020-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002020-1">*</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002021" class="ver">21</span>But I had planted you as a choice vine,</p> <p class="sl1">all pedigreed stock;</p> <p class="sl">How could you turn out so obnoxious to me,</p> <p class="sl1">a spurious vine?<a id="ren30002021-n" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002021-n">n</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002022" class="ver">22</span>Even if you scour it with lye,</p> <p class="sl1">and use much soap,</p> <p class="sl">The stain of your guilt is still before me,</p> <p class="sl1">oracle of the Lord <span class="tetr">God</span>.<a id="ren30002022-o" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002022-o">o</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002023" class="ver">23</span>How can you say, “I am not defiled,</p> <p class="sl1">I have not pursued the Baals”?</p> <p class="sl">Consider your conduct in the Valley,<a id="rfn30002023-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn30002023-1">*</a></p> <p class="sl1">recall what you have done:</p> <p class="sl">A skittish young camel,</p> <p class="sl1">running back and forth,</p> <p class="sl1"><span id="v30002024" class="ver">24</span>a wild donkey bred in the wilderness,</p> <p class="sl">Sniffing the wind in her desire—</p> <p class="sl1">who can restrain her lust?</p> <p class="sl">None seeking her need tire themselves;</p> <p class="sl1">in her time they will find her.</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002025" class="ver">25</span>Stop wearing out your feet</p> <p class="sl1">and parching your throat!</p> <p class="sl">But you say, “No use! No!</p> <p class="sl1">How I love these strangers,</p> <p class="sl1">after them I must go.”<a id="ren30002025-p" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002025-p">p</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002026" class="ver">26</span>As the thief is shamed when caught,</p> <p class="sl1">so shall the house of Israel be shamed:</p> <p class="sl">They, their kings, their princes,</p> <p class="sl1">their priests and their prophets;<a id="ren30002026-q" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002026-q">q</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002027" class="ver">27</span>They say to a piece of wood, “You are my father,”</p> <p class="sl1">and to a stone, “You gave me birth.”</p> <p class="sl">They turn their backs to me, not their faces;</p> <p class="sl1">yet in their time of trouble they cry out,</p> <p class="sl1">“Rise up and save us!”</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002028" class="ver">28</span>Where are the gods you made for yourselves?</p> <p class="sl1">Let them rise up!</p> <p class="sl1">Will they save you in your time of trouble?</p> <p class="sl">For as numerous as your cities</p> <p class="sl1">are your gods, O Judah!</p> <p class="sl">And as many as the streets of Jerusalem</p> <p class="sl1">are the altars you have set up for Baal.<a id="ren30002028-r" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002028-r">r</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002029" class="ver">29</span>Why are you arguing with me?</p> <p class="sl1">You have all rebelled against me—oracle of the <span class="tetr">Lord</span>.</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002030" class="ver">30</span>In vain I struck your children;</p> <p class="sl1">correction they did not take.</p> <p class="sl">Your sword devoured your prophets</p> <p class="sl1">like a ravening lion.<a id="ren30002030-s" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002030-s">s</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002031" class="ver">31</span>You people of this generation,</p> <p class="sl1">consider the word of the Lord:</p> <p class="sl">Have I become a wilderness to Israel,</p> <p class="sl1">a land of gloom?</p> <p class="sl">Why then do my people say, “We have moved on,</p> <p class="sl1">we will not come to you any more”?</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002032" class="ver">32</span>Does a young woman forget her jewelry,</p> <p class="sl1">a bride her sash?</p> <p class="sl">Yet my people have forgotten me</p> <p class="sl1">days without number.<a id="ren30002032-t" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002032-t">t</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002033" class="ver">33</span>How well you pick your way</p> <p class="sl1">when seeking love!</p> <p class="sl">In your wickedness,</p> <p class="sl1">you have gone by ways unclean!</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002034" class="ver">34</span>On your clothing is</p> <p class="sl1">the life-blood of the innocent,</p> <p class="sl1">you did not find them committing burglary;</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002035" class="ver">35</span>Nonetheless you say, “I am innocent;</p> <p class="sl1">at least, his anger is turned away from me.”</p> <p class="sl">Listen! I will judge you</p> <p class="sl1">on that word of yours, “I have not sinned.”</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002036" class="ver">36</span>How frivolous you have become</p> <p class="sl1">in changing your course!</p> <p class="sl">By Egypt you will be shamed,</p> <p class="sl1">just as you were shamed by Assyria.<a id="ren30002036-u" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002036-u">u</a></p> <p class="sl"><span id="v30002037" class="ver">37</span>From there too you will go out,</p> <p class="sl1">your hands upon your head;</p> <p class="sl">For the <span class="tetr">Lord</span> has rejected those in whom you trust,</p> <p class="sl1">with them you will have no success.<a id="ren30002037-v" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en30002037-v">v</a></p> </div> </section> <br /><h1 class="cn"><a class="xref" href="intro.htm"><span class="ac">Book Introduction</span></a></h1><h1 class="cn"><a class="xref" href="footnotes.htm"><span class="ac">Footnotes</span></a></h1></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the <i>New American Bible, revised edition</i> © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. 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