26 “As the thief is ashamed when he is found out,
So is the house of Israel ashamed;
They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their (A)prophets,
27 Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’
And to a (B)stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’
For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face.
But in the time of their (C)trouble
They will say, ‘Arise and save us.’
28 But (D)where are your gods that you have made for yourselves?
Let them arise,
If they (E)can save you in the time of your [a]trouble;
For (F)according to the number of your cities
Are your gods, O Judah.

29 “Why will you plead with Me?
You all have transgressed against Me,” says the Lord.
30 “In vain I have (G)chastened your children;
They (H)received no correction.
Your sword has (I)devoured your prophets
Like a destroying lion.

31 “O generation, see the word of the Lord!
Have I been a wilderness to Israel,
Or a land of darkness?
Why do My people say, ‘We [b]are lords;
(J)We will come no more to You’?
32 Can a virgin forget her ornaments,
Or a bride her attire?
Yet My people (K)have forgotten Me days without number.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 2:28 Or evil
  2. Jeremiah 2:31 have dominion

26 “As a thief is disgraced(A) when he is caught,
    so the people of Israel are disgraced—
they, their kings and their officials,
    their priests(B) and their prophets.(C)
27 They say to wood,(D) ‘You are my father,’
    and to stone,(E) ‘You gave me birth.’
They have turned their backs(F) to me
    and not their faces;(G)
yet when they are in trouble,(H) they say,
    ‘Come and save(I) us!’
28 Where then are the gods(J) you made for yourselves?
    Let them come if they can save you
    when you are in trouble!(K)
For you, Judah, have as many gods
    as you have towns.(L)

29 “Why do you bring charges against me?
    You have all(M) rebelled against me,”
declares the Lord.
30 “In vain I punished your people;
    they did not respond to correction.(N)
Your sword has devoured your prophets(O)
    like a ravenous lion.

31 “You of this generation, consider the word of the Lord:

“Have I been a desert to Israel
    or a land of great darkness?(P)
Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam;
    we will come to you no more’?(Q)
32 Does a young woman forget her jewelry,
    a bride her wedding ornaments?
Yet my people have forgotten(R) me,
    days without number.

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(A)My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
(B)Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.

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    my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.(A)

“Because you have rejected knowledge,
    I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law(B) of your God,
    I also will ignore your children.

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11 “Because Ephraim has made many altars for sin,
They have become for him altars for sinning.

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11 “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings,
    these have become altars for sinning.(A)

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14 “For(A) Israel has forgotten (B)his Maker,
And has built [a]temples;
Judah also has multiplied (C)fortified cities;
But (D)I will send fire upon his cities,
And it shall devour his [b]palaces.”

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 8:14 Or palaces
  2. Hosea 8:14 Or citadels

14 Israel has forgotten(A) their Maker(B)
    and built palaces;
    Judah has fortified many towns.
But I will send fire on their cities
    that will consume their fortresses.”(C)

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