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Jeremiah 2 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
<!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 Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</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" 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align="center" cellpadding="0" 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 Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</td><td width="1%" valign="top"></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><div class="text-html"> <h3><span id="en" class="text">God Pleads with Israel to Repent</span></h3><p class="chapter-1"><span class="text"><span class="versenum">1</span>The word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span> came to me, saying: </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">2</span>Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>:</span></p><div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span class="text">I remember the devotion of your youth,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">your love as a bride,</span></span><br /><span class="text">how you followed me in the wilderness,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in a land not sown.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">3</span>Israel was holy to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the first fruits of his harvest.</span></span><br /><span class="text">All who ate of it were held guilty;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">disaster came upon them,</span></span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text">says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>.</span></span></p></div> <p class="top-1"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">4</span>Hear the word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">5</span>Thus says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>:</span></p><div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span class="text">What wrong did your ancestors find in me</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">that they went far from me,</span></span><br /><span class="text">and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?</span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">6</span>They did not say, “Where is the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">who brought us up from the land of Egypt,</span></span><br /><span class="text">who led us in the wilderness,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in a land of deserts and pits,</span></span><br /><span class="text">in a land of drought and deep darkness,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in a land that no one passes through,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">where no one lives?”</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">7</span>I brought you into a plentiful land</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to eat its fruits and its good things.</span></span><br /><span class="text">But when you entered you defiled my land,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and made my heritage an abomination.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">8</span>The priests did not say, “Where is the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>?”</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Those who handle the law did not know me;</span></span><br /><span class="text">the rulers<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-22860a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> transgressed against me;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the prophets prophesied by Baal,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and went after things that do not profit.</span></span></p></div> <div class="poetry top-1"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">9</span>Therefore once more I accuse you,</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text">says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and I accuse your children’s children.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">10</span>Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">send to Kedar and examine with care;</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">see if there has ever been such a thing.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">11</span>Has a nation changed its gods,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">even though they are no gods?</span></span><br /><span class="text">But my people have changed their glory</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for something that does not profit.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">12</span>Be appalled, O heavens, at this,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">be shocked, be utterly desolate,</span></span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text">says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">13</span>for my people have committed two evils:</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">they have forsaken me,</span></span><br /><span class="text">the fountain of living water,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and dug out cisterns for themselves,</span></span><br /><span class="text">cracked cisterns</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">that can hold no water.</span></span></p></div> <div class="poetry top-1"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">14</span>Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant?</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Why then has he become plunder?</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">15</span>The lions have roared against him,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">they have roared loudly.</span></span><br /><span class="text">They have made his land a waste;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">16</span>Moreover, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">have broken the crown of your head.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">17</span>Have you not brought this upon yourself</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">by forsaking the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span> your God,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">while he led you in the way?</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">18</span>What then do you gain by going to Egypt,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to drink the waters of the Nile?</span></span><br /><span class="text">Or what do you gain by going to Assyria,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to drink the waters of the Euphrates?</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">19</span>Your wickedness will punish you,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and your apostasies will convict you.</span></span><br /><span class="text">Know and see that it is evil and bitter</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for you to forsake the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span> your God;</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the fear of me is not in you,</span></span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text">says the Lord <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">God</span> of hosts.</span></span></p></div> <div class="poetry top-1"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">20</span>For long ago you broke your yoke</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and burst your bonds,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and you said, “I will not serve!”</span></span><br /><span class="text">On every high hill</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and under every green tree</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">you sprawled and played the whore.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">21</span>Yet I planted you as a choice vine,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">from the purest stock.</span></span><br /><span class="text">How then did you turn degenerate</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and become a wild vine?</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">22</span>Though you wash yourself with lye</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and use much soap,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the stain of your guilt is still before me,</span></span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text">says the Lord <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">God</span>.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">23</span>How can you say, “I am not defiled,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">I have not gone after the Baals”?</span></span><br /><span class="text">Look at your way in the valley;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">know what you have done—</span></span><br /><span class="text">a restive young camel interlacing her tracks,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">24</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a wild ass at home in the wilderness,</span></span><br /><span class="text">in her heat sniffing the wind!</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Who can restrain her lust?</span></span><br /><span class="text">None who seek her need weary themselves;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in her month they will find her.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">25</span>Keep your feet from going unshod</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and your throat from thirst.</span></span><br /><span class="text">But you said, “It is hopeless,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for I have loved strangers,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and after them I will go.”</span></span></p></div> <div class="poetry top-1"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">26</span>As a thief is shamed when caught,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">so the house of Israel shall be shamed—</span></span><br /><span class="text">they, their kings, their officials,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">their priests, and their prophets,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">27</span>who say to a tree, “You are my father,”</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and to a stone, “You gave me birth.”</span></span><br /><span class="text">For they have turned their backs to me,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and not their faces.</span></span><br /><span class="text">But in the time of their trouble they say,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">“Come and save us!”</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">28</span>But where are your gods</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">that you made for yourself?</span></span><br /><span class="text">Let them come, if they can save you,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in your time of trouble;</span></span><br /><span class="text">for you have as many gods</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">as you have towns, O Judah.</span></span></p></div> <div class="poetry top-1"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">29</span>Why do you complain against me?</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">You have all rebelled against me,</span></span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text">says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">30</span>In vain I have struck down your children;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">they accepted no correction.</span></span><br /><span class="text">Your own sword devoured your prophets</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">like a ravening lion.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">31</span>And you, O generation, behold the word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span>!<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-22883b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote b">b</a>]</span></span><br /><span class="text">Have I been a wilderness to Israel,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">or a land of thick darkness?</span></span><br /><span class="text">Why then do my people say, “We are free,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">we will come to you no more”?</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">32</span>Can a girl forget her ornaments,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">or a bride her attire?</span></span><br /><span class="text">Yet my people have forgotten me,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">days without number.</span></span></p></div> <div class="poetry top-1"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">33</span>How well you direct your course</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to seek lovers!</span></span><br /><span class="text">So that even to wicked women</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">you have taught your ways.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">34</span>Also on your skirts is found</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the lifeblood of the innocent poor,</span></span><br /><span class="text">though you did not catch them breaking in.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Yet in spite of all these things<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-22886c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote c">c</a>]</span></span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">35</span>you say, “I am innocent;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">surely his anger has turned from me.”</span></span><br /><span class="text">Now I am bringing you to judgment</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for saying, “I have not sinned.”</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">36</span>How lightly you gad about,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">changing your ways!</span></span><br /><span class="text">You shall be put to shame by Egypt</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">as you were put to shame by Assyria.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">37</span>From there also you will come away</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">with your hands on your head;</span></span><br /><span class="text">for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps" class="small-caps">Lord</span> has rejected those in whom you trust,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and you will not prosper through them.</span></span></p></div> <A name="fen"></a><div class="footnotes"><h4>Footnotes</h4><ol><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Jeremiah 2:8">Jeremiah 2:8</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Heb <i>shepherds</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Jeremiah 2:31">Jeremiah 2:31</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Meaning of Heb uncertain</span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Jeremiah 2:34">Jeremiah 2:34</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Meaning of Heb uncertain</span></li></ol></div> <!--end of footnotes--></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. 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