23 How can you protest, “I am not defiled;
I have not followed the Baals”?(A)
Look at your behavior in the valley;
acknowledge what you have done.(B)
You are a swift young camel
twisting and turning on her way,
24 a wild donkey(C) at home[a] 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.[b]
25 Keep your feet from going bare
and your throat from thirst.
But you say, “It’s hopeless;(D)
I love strangers,(E)
and I will continue to follow them.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 2:24 Lit donkey taught
  2. Jeremiah 2:24 Lit her month

23 How can you say,
    “I’m not dirty;
    I haven’t gone after Baals.”
Look what you have done in the valley;
    consider what you have done there.
You are like a frenzied young camel,
    racing around,
24     a wild donkey in the wilderness,
    lustfully sniffing the wind.
Who can restrain such passion?
    Those who desire her need not give up;
    with little effort they will find her in heat.
25 Don’t run about until your feet are blistered
    and your throat is parched.
But you say, “What’s the use?
    I have fallen in love with foreign gods,
        and I must pursue them.”

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