23 “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled;(A)
    I have not run after the Baals’?(B)
See how you behaved in the valley;(C)
    consider what you have done.
You are a swift she-camel
    running(D) here and there,
24 a wild donkey(E) accustomed to the desert,(F)
    sniffing the wind in her craving—
    in her heat who can restrain her?
Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves;
    at mating time they will find her.
25 Do not run until your feet are bare
    and your throat is dry.
But you said, ‘It’s no use!(G)
    I love foreign gods,(H)
    and I must go after them.’(I)

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Israel’s Passion for Sin

23 “How can you say, ‘I’m not defiled.
    I haven’t gone after the Baals.’?[a]
Look at what you’ve done[b] in the valley.
    Know what you have done.
        You are a swift young camel galloping aimlessly;
24 a wild donkey accustomed to the desert,
    sniffing the wind in her passion.
When she’s in heat,
    who can turn her away?
None of the males who pursue her need to tire themselves out,
    for in her month[c] they’ll find her.”

25 “Don’t run until your feet are bare
    and your throat is dry.[d]
But you say, ‘It’s hopeless!
    Because I love foreign gods,[e] I’ll go after them!’”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 2:23 I.e. images of the Canaanite storm god
  2. Jeremiah 2:23 Lit. at your way
  3. Jeremiah 2:24 I.e. at mating time
  4. Jeremiah 2:25 Lit. Hold back your feet from being bare and your throat from being dry
  5. Jeremiah 2:25 Or foreigners