Jeremiah 2:4-13
Common English Bible
4 Listen to the Lord’s word,
people of Judah,
all you families of the Israelite household.
5 This is what the Lord says:
What wrong did your ancestors find in me
that made them wander so far?
They pursued what was worthless
and became worthless.
6 They didn’t ask,
“Where’s the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
who led us through the wilderness,
in a land of deserts and ravines,
in a land of drought and darkness,
in a land of no return,
where no one survives?”
7 I brought you into a land of plenty,
to enjoy its gifts and goodness,
but you ruined my land;
you disgraced my heritage.
8 The priests didn’t ask,
“Where’s the Lord?”
Those responsible for the Instruction didn’t know me;
the leaders rebelled against me;
the prophets spoke in the name of Baal,
going after what has no value.
9 That is why I will take you to court
and charge even your descendants,
declares the Lord.
10 Look to the west as far as the shores of Cyprus
and to the east as far as the land of Kedar.
Ask anyone there:
Has anything this odd ever taken place?
11 Has a nation switched gods,
though they aren’t really gods at all?
Yet my people have exchanged their glory
for what has no value.
12 Be stunned at such a thing, you heavens;
shudder and quake,
declares the Lord.
13 My people have committed two crimes:
They have forsaken me, the spring of living water.
And they have dug wells, broken wells that can’t hold water.
Jeremiah 2:4-13
New International Version
4 Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob,
all you clans of Israel.
5 This is what the Lord says:
“What fault did your ancestors find in me,
that they strayed so far from me?
They followed worthless idols(A)
and became worthless(B) themselves.
6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord,
who brought us up out of Egypt(C)
and led us through the barren wilderness,
through a land of deserts(D) and ravines,(E)
a land of drought and utter darkness,
a land where no one travels(F) and no one lives?’
7 I brought you into a fertile land
to eat its fruit and rich produce.(G)
But you came and defiled my land
and made my inheritance detestable.(H)
8 The priests did not ask,
‘Where is the Lord?’
Those who deal with the law did not know me;(I)
the leaders(J) rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,(K)
following worthless idols.(L)
9 “Therefore I bring charges(M) against you again,”
declares the Lord.
“And I will bring charges against your children’s children.
10 Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus(N) and look,
send to Kedar[a](O) and observe closely;
see if there has ever been anything like this:
11 Has a nation ever changed its gods?
(Yet they are not gods(P) at all.)
But my people have exchanged their glorious(Q) God
for worthless idols.
12 Be appalled at this, you heavens,
and shudder with great horror,”
declares the Lord.
13 “My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken(R) me,
the spring of living water,(S)
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Footnotes
- Jeremiah 2:10 In the Syro-Arabian desert
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