Jeremiah Chapter 2

2 Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, I remember for thee the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals; how thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

3 Israel

4 was holiness unto Jehovah, the first-fruits of his increase: all that devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come upon them, saith Jehovah.

5 Hear ye the word of Jehovah, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

6 Thus saith Jehovah, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

7 Neither said they, Where is Jehovah that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that none passed through, and where no man dwelt?

8 And I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

9 The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handle the law knew me not: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

10 Wherefore I will yet contend with you, saith Jehovah, and with your children’s children will I contend.

11 For pass over to the isles of Kittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently; and see if there hath been such a thing.

12 Hath a nation changed

13 its gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

14 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith Jehovah.

15 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

16 Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born

17 slave? why is he become a prey?

18 The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste: his cities are burned up, without inhabitant.

19 The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of thy head.

20 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, when he led thee by the way?

21 And now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

22 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

23 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bonds; and thou saidst, I will not serve; for upon every high hill and under every green tree thou didst bow thyself, playing the harlot.

24 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine unto me?

25 For though thou wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah.

26 How canst thou say, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done:

27 thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

28 a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

29 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst. But thou saidst, It is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

30 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets;

31 who say to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

32 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

33 Wherefore will ye contend with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.

34 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

35 O generation, see ye the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? or a land of thick darkness? wherefore say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no more unto thee?

36 Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

37 How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways.

darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext

1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,

2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: I remember for thee the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

3 Israel was holiness unto Jehovah, the first-fruits of his increase: all that devour him are guilty; evil shall come upon them, saith Jehovah.

4 Hear the word of Jehovah, house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel.

5 Thus saith Jehovah: What injustice have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and become vain?

6 And they said not, Where is Jehovah, that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and of pits, in a land of drought and of the shadow of death, in a land that no one passeth through, and where no man dwelleth?

7 And I brought you into a fruitful land, to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof; and ye entered and defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

8 The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handled the law knew me not; and the shepherds transgressed against me; and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.

9 Therefore will I yet plead with you, saith Jehovah, and with your children's children will I plead.

10 For pass over to the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there have been such a thing.

11 Hath a nation changed [its]gods? and they are nogods; — but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

12 Be astonished, ye heavens, at this, and shudder; be amazed very much, saith Jehovah.

13 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, to hew them out cisterns, broken cisterns that hold no water.

14 Is Israel a bondman? Is he a home-born [slave]? Why is he become a spoil?

15 The young lions roared against him, they gave forth their voice, and they made his land desolate: his cities are burned, without inhabitant.

16 Even the children of Noph and Tahapanes have fed on the crown of thy head.

17 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thyGod, at the time he was leading thee in the way?

18 And now, what hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? And what hast thou to do with the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

19 Thine own wickedness chastiseth thee, and thy backslidings reprove thee: know then and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thyGod, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

20 For of old thou hast broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not serve. For upon every high hill, and under every green tree, thou bowest down, playing the harlot.

21 And I, — I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how then art thou turned into the degenerate shoots of a strange vine unto me?

22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much potash, thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah.

23 How sayest thou, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baals? See thy way in the valley, acknowledge what thou hast done — a swift dromedary traversing her ways!

24 — a wild ass, used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire! In her ardour, who shall turn her away? All they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst. But thou saidst, There is no hope; no, for I love strangers, and after them will I go.

26 As a thief is ashamed when he is found, so shall the house of Israel be ashamed — they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets —

27 saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth; for they have turned the back unto me, and not the face; and in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us!

28 Where then are thygods that thou hast made for thyself? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for as the number of thy cities, are thygods, O Judah.

29 Wherefore would ye contend with me? Ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.

30 In vain have I smitten your children: they received no correction. Your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

31 O generation, mark ye the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Wherefore say my people, We have dominion; we will come no more unto thee?

32 Doth a virgin forget her ornaments, a bride her attire? But my people have forgotten me days without number.

33 How dost thou trim thy way to seek love! Therefore hast thou also accustomed thy ways to wickedness.

34 Yea, in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor, whom thou didst not encounter breaking in, but [it is found] upon all these.

35 And thou sayest, Indeed I am innocent; his anger will turn from me. Behold, I will enter into judgment with thee because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

36 Why dost thou gad about so much, and change thy way? Thou shalt also be brought to shame by Egypt, as thou wast brought to shame by Assyria.

37 Thou shalt indeed go forth from her with thy hands upon thy head; for Jehovah hath rejected those thou confidest in, and thou shalt not prosper by them.

lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM

2 And he said, Thus saith the Lord, I remember the kindness of thy youth, and the love of thine espousals, in following the Holy One of Israel, saith the Lord.

3 Israel was the holy [people] to the Lord, [and] the first-fruits of his increase: all that devoured him shall offend; evils shall come upon them, saith the Lord.

4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and every family of the house of Israel.

5 Thus saith the Lord, What trespass have your fathers found in me, that they have revolted far from me, and gone after vanities, and become vain?

6 And they said not, Where is the Lord, who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who guided us in the wilderness, in an untried and trackless land, in a land which no man at all went through, and no man dwelt there?

7 And I brought you to Carmel, that ye should eat the fruits thereof, and the good thereof; and ye went in, and defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

8 The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that held by the law knew me not: the shepherds also sinned against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after that which profited not.

9 Therefore I will yet plead with you, and will plead with your children's children.

10 For go to the isles of the Chettians, and see; and send to Kedar, and observe accurately, and see if such things have been done;

11 if the nations will change their gods, though they are not gods: but my people have changed their glory, [for that] from which they shall not be profited.

12 The heaven is amazed at this, and is very exceedingly horror-struck, saith the Lord.

13 For my people has committed two [faults], and evil ones: they have forsaken me, the fountain of water of life, and hewn out for themselves broken cisterns, which will not be able to hold water.

14 Is Israel a servant, or a home-born slave? why has he become a spoil?

15 The lions roared upon him, and uttered their voice, which have made his land a wilderness: and his cities are broken down, that they should not be inhabited.

16 Also the children of Memphis and Taphnas have known thee, and mocked thee.

17 Has not thy forsaking me brought these things upon thee? saith the Lord thy God.

18 And now what hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the water of Geon? and what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of rivers?

19 Thine apostasy shall correct thee, and thy wickedness shall reprove thee: know then, and see, that thy forsaking me [has been] bitter to thee, saith the Lord thy God; and I have taken no pleasure in thee, saith the Lord thy God.

20 For of old thou hast broken thy yoke, and plucked asunder thy bands; and thou hast said, I will not serve thee, but will go upon every high hill, and under every shady tree, there will I indulge in my fornication.

21 Yet I planted thee a fruitful vine, entirely of the right sort: how art thou a strange vine turned to bitterness!

22 Though thou shouldest wash thyself with nitre, and multiply to thyself soap, [still] thou art stained by thine iniquities before me, saith the Lord.

23 How wilt thou say, I am not polluted, and have not gone after Baal? behold thy ways in the burial-ground, and know what thou hast done: her voice has howled in the evening:

24 she has extended her ways over the waters of the desert; she was hurried along by the lusts of her soul; she is given up [to them], who will turn her back? none that seek her shall be weary; at [the time of] her humiliation they shall find her.

25 Withdraw thy foot from a rough way, and thy throat from thirst: but she said, I will strengthen myself: for she loved strangers, and went after them.

26 As is the shame of a thief when he is caught, so shall the children of Israel be ashamed; they, and their kings, and their princes, and their priests, and their prophets.

27 They said to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast begotten me: and they have turned [their] backs to me, and not their faces: yet in the time of their afflictions they will say, Arise, and save us.

28 And where are thy gods, which thou madest for thyself? will they arise and save in the time of thine affliction? for according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem they sacrificed to Baal.

29 Wherefore do ye speak unto me? ye all have been ungodly, and ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord.

30 In vain have I smitten your children; ye have not received correction: a sword has devoured your prophets as a destroying lion; yet ye feared not.

31 Hear ye the word of the Lord: thus saith the Lord, Have I been a wilderness or a dry land to Israel? wherefore has my people said, We will not be ruled over, and will not come to thee any more?

32 Will a bride forget her ornaments, or a virgin her girdle? but my people has forgotten me days without number.

33 What fair device wilt thou yet employ in thy ways, so as to seek love? [it shall] not [be] so; moreover thou hast done wickedly in corrupting thy ways;

34 and in thine hands has been found the blood of innocent souls; I have not found them in holes, but on every oak.

35 Yet thou saidst, I am innocent: only let his wrath be turned away from me. Behold, I [will] plead with thee, whereas thou sayest, I have not sinned.

36 For thou hast been so exceedingly contemptuous as to repeat thy ways; but thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assur.

37 For thou shalt go forth thence also with thine hands upon thine head; for the Lord has rejected thine hope, and thou shalt not prosper in it.

vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)

1 Et factum est verbum Domini ad me, dicens:

2 Vade, et clama in auribus Ierusalem, dicens: Hæc dicit Dominus: Recordatus sum tui, miserans adolescentiam tuam, et charitatem desponsationis tuæ, quando secuta es me in deserto, in terra, quæ non seminatur.

3 Sanctus Israel Domino, primitiæ frugum eius: omnes, qui devorant eum, delinquunt: mala venient super eos, dicit Dominus.

4 Audite verbum Domini domus Iacob, et omnes cognationes domus Israel:

5 hæc dicit Dominus: Quid invenerunt patres vestri in me iniquitatis, quia elongaverunt a me, et ambulaverunt post vanitatem, et vani facti sunt?

6 Et non dixerunt: Ubi est Dominus, qui ascendere nos fecit de Terra Ægypti: qui traduxit nos per desertum, per terram inhabitabilem et inviam, per terram sitis, et imaginem mortis, per terram, in qua non ambulavit vir, neque habitavit homo?

7 Et induxi vos in terram Carmeli, ut comederetis fructum eius, et optima illius: et ingressi contaminastis terram meam, et hereditatem meam posuistis in abominationem.

8 Sacerdotes non dixerunt: Ubi est Dominus? et tenentes legem nescierunt me, et pastores prævaricati sunt in me: et prophetæ prophetaverunt in Baal, et idola secuti sunt.

9 Propterea adhuc iudicio contendam vobiscum, ait Dominus, et cum filiis vestris disceptabo.

10 Transite ad insulas Cethim, et videte: et in Cedar mittite, et considerate vehementer: et videte si factum est huiuscemodi.

11 Si mutavit gens deos suos, et certe ipsi non sunt dii: populus vero meus mutavit gloriam suam in idolum.

12 Obstupescite cæli super hoc, et portæ eius desolamini vehementer, dicit Dominus.

13 Duo enim mala fecit populus meus: Me dereliquerunt fontem aquæ vivæ, et foderunt sibi cisternas, cisternas dissipatas, quia continere non valent aquas.

14 Numquid servus est Israel, aut vernaculus? quare ergo factus est in prædam?

15 Super eum rugierunt leones, et dederunt vocem suam, posuerunt terram eius in solitudinem: civitates eius exustæ sunt, et non est qui habitet in eis.

16 Filii quoque Mempheos et Taphnes constupraverunt te usque ad verticem.

17 Numquid non istud factum est tibi, quia dereliquisti Dominum Deum tuum eo tempore, quo ducebat te per viam?

18 Et nunc quid tibi vis in via Ægypti, ut bibas aquam turbidam? et quid tibi cum via Assyriorum, ut bibas aquam fluminis?

19 Arguet te malitia tua, et aversio tua increpabit te. Scito, et vide quia malum et amarum est reliquisse te Dominum Deum tuum, et non esse timorem mei apud te, dicit Dominus Deus exercituum.

20 A sæculo confregisti iugum meum, rupisti vincula mea, et dixisti: Non serviam. In omni enim colle sublimi, et sub omni ligno frondoso tu prosternebaris meretrix.

21 Ego autem plantavi te vineam electam, omne semen verum: quomodo ergo conversa es mihi in pravum vinea aliena?

22 Si laveris te nitro, et multiplicaveris tibi herbam borith, maculata es in iniquitate tua coram me, dicit Dominus Deus.

23 Quomodo dicis: Non sum polluta, post Baalim non ambulavi? vide vias tuas in convalle, scito quid feceris: cursor levis explicans vias suas.

24 Onager assuetus in solitudine, in desiderio animæ suæ attraxit ventum amoris sui: nullus avertet eam: omnes, qui quærunt eam, non deficient: in menstruis eius invenient eam.

25 Prohibe pedem tuum a nuditate, et guttur tuum a siti. Et dixisti: Desperavi, nequaquam faciam: adamavi quippe alienos, et post eos ambulabo.

26 Quomodo confunditur fur quando deprehenditur, sic confusi sunt domus Israel, ipsi et reges eorum, principes, et sacerdotes, et prophetæ eorum,

27 dicentes ligno: Pater meus es tu: et lapidi: Tu me genuisti. verterunt ad me tergum, et non faciem, et in tempore afflictionis suæ dicent: Surge, et libera nos.

28 Ubi sunt dii tui, quos fecisti tibi? surgant et liberent te in tempore afflictionis tuæ: secundum numerum quippe civitatum tuarum erant dii tui Iuda.

29 Quid vultis mecum iudicio contendere? omnes dereliquistis me, dicit Dominus.

30 Frustra percussi filios vestros, disciplinam non receperunt: devoravit gladius vester prophetas vestros, quasi leo vastator

31 generatio vestra. Videte verbum Domini: Numquid solitudo factus sum Israeli, aut terra serotina? quare ergo dixit populus meus: Recessimus, non veniemus ultra ad te?

32 Numquid obliviscetur virgo ornamenti sui, aut sponsa fasciæ pectoralis suæ? populus vero meus oblitus est mei diebus innumeris.

33 Quid niteris bonam ostendere viam tuam ad quærendam dilectionem, quæ insuper et malitias tuas docuisti vias tuas,

34 et in alis tuis inventus est sanguis animarum pauperum et innocentum? non in fossis inveni eos, sed in omnibus, quæ supra memoravi.

35 Et dixisti: Absque peccato et innocens ego sum: et propterea avertatur furor tuus a me. Ecce ego iudicio contendam tecum, eo quod dixeris: Non peccavi.

36 Quam vilis facta es nimis, iterans vias tuas! et ab Ægypto confunderis, sicut confusa es ab Assur.

37 Nam et ab ista egredieris, et manus tuæ erunt super caput tuum: quoniam obtrivit Dominus confidentiam tuam, et nihil habebis prosperum in ea.

web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV

1 The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

2 “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘The LORD says, “I remember for you the kindness of your youth, your love as a bride, how you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

3 Israel was holiness to the LORD, the first fruits of his increase. All who devour him will be held guilty. Evil will come on them,”’ says the LORD.”

4 Hear the LORD’s word, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel!

5 The LORD says, “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after worthless vanity, and have become worthless?

6 They didn’t say, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that no one passed through, and where no man lived?’

7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruit and its goodness; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

8 The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ and those who handle the law didn’t know me. The rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed things that do not profit.

9 “Therefore I will yet contend with you,” says the LORD, “and I will contend with your children’s children.

10 For pass over to the islands of Kittim, and see. Send to Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing.

11 Has a nation changed its gods, which really are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doesn’t profit.

12 “Be astonished, you heavens, at this and be horribly afraid. Be very desolate,” says the LORD.

13 “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut out cisterns for themselves: broken cisterns that can’t hold water.

14 Is Israel a slave? Is he born into slavery? Why has he become a captive?

15 The young lions have roared at him and raised their voices. They have made his land waste. His cities are burned up, without inhabitant.

16 The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.

17 “Haven’t you brought this on yourself, in that you have forsaken the LORD your God, when he led you by the way?

18 Now what do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? Or why do you go on the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

19 “Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backsliding will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing, that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and that my fear is not in you,” says the Lord, GOD of Armies.

20 “For long ago I broke off your yoke, and burst your bonds. You said, ‘I will not serve;’ for on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself, playing the prostitute.

21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a pure and faithful seed. How then have you turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine to me?

22 For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me,” says the Lord GOD.

23 “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled. I have not gone after the Baals’? See your way in the valley. Know what you have done. You are a swift dromedary traversing her ways,

24 a wild donkey used to the wilderness, that sniffs the wind in her craving. When she is in heat, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves. In her month, they will find her.

25 “Keep your feet from being bare, and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is in vain. No, for I have loved strangers, and I will go after them.’

26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so the house of Israel is ashamed— they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets,

27 who tell wood, ‘You are my father,’ and a stone, ‘You have given birth to me,’ for they have turned their back to me, and not their face, but in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise, and save us!’

28 “But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble, for you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.

29 “Why will you contend with me? You all have transgressed against me,” says the LORD.

30 “I have struck your children in vain. They received no correction. Your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

31 Generation, consider the LORD’s word. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, ‘We have broken loose. We will come to you no more’?

32 “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number.

33 How well you prepare your way to seek love! Therefore you have even taught the wicked women your ways.

34 Also the blood of the souls of the innocent poor is found in your skirts. You didn’t find them breaking in, but it is because of all these things.

35 “Yet you said, ‘I am innocent. Surely his anger has turned away from me.’ “Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’

36 Why do you go about so much to change your ways? You will be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria.

37 You will also leave that place with your hands on your head; for the LORD has rejected those in whom you trust, and you won’t prosper with them.

ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8

1 And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,

2 `Go, and thou hast called in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said Jehovah: I have remembered for thee The kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, Thy going after Me in a wilderness, in a land not sown.

3 Holy <FI>is<Fi> Israel to Jehovah, The first-fruit of His increase, All consuming him are guilty, Evil cometh in unto them, an affirmation of Jehovah.

4 Hear a word of Jehovah, O house of Jacob, And all ye families of the house of Israel.

5 Thus said Jehovah: What--have your fathers found in Me perversity, That they have gone far off from Me, And go after the vanity, and become vain,

6 And have not said, Where <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah, Who bringeth us up out of the land of Egypt, Who leadeth us in a wilderness, In a land of deserts and pits, In a dry land, and of death-shade, In a land--none hath passed through it, Nor dwelt hath man there?'

7 Yea, I bring you in to a land of fruitful fields, To eat its fruit and its goodness, And ye come in and defile My land, And Mine inheritance have made an abomination.

8 The priests have not said, `Where <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah?' And those handling the law have not known Me. And the shepherds transgressed against Me, And the prophets have prophesied by Baal, And after those who profit not have gone.

9 Therefore, yet I plead with you, An affirmation of Jehovah, And with your sons' sons I plead.

10 For, pass to the isles of Chittim, and see, And to Kedar send, and consider well, And see if there hath been like this:

11 Hath a nation changed gods? (And they <FI>are<Fi> no gods!) And My people hath changed its honour For that which doth not profit.

12 Be astonished, ye heavens, at this, Yea, be frightened, be greatly wasted, An affirmation of Jehovah.

13 For two evils hath My people done, Me they have forsaken, a fountain of living waters, To hew out for themselves wells--broken wells, That contain not the waters.

14 A servant <FI>is<Fi> Israel? Is he a child of the house? Wherefore hath he been for a prey?

15 Against him roar do young lions, They have given forth their voice, And make his land become a desolation, His cities have been burnt without inhabitant.

16 Also sons of Noph and Tahapanes Consume thee--the crown of the head!

17 Dost thou not do this to thyself? <FI>By<Fi> thy forsaking Jehovah thy God, At the time He is leading thee in the way?

18 And now, what--to thee in the way of Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? And what--to thee in the way of Asshur, To drink the waters of the River?

19 Instruct thee doth thy wickedness, And thy backslidings reprove thee, Know and see that an evil and a bitter thing <FI>Is<Fi> thy forsaking Jehovah thy God, And My fear not being on thee, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah of Hosts.

20 For from of old thou hast broken thy yoke, Drawn away thy bands, and sayest, `I do not serve,' For, on every high height, and under every green tree, Thou art wandering--a harlot.

21 And I planted thee a choice vine, wholly a true seed, And how hast thou been turned to Me, To the degenerate shoots of a strange vine?

22 But though thou dost wash with nitre, And dost multiply to thyself soap, Marked is thine iniquity before Me, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.

23 How sayest thou, `I have not been defiled, After the Baalim I have not gone?' See thy way in a valley, know what thou hast done, A swift dromedary winding her ways,

24 A wild ass accustomed to a wilderness, In the desire of her soul she hath swallowed up wind, Her meeting--who doth turn her back? None seeking her do weary themselves, In her month they find her.

25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, And thy throat from thirst, And thou sayest, `It is incurable, No, for I have loved strangers, and after them I go.'

26 As the shame of a thief when he is found, So put to shame have been the house of Israel, They, their kings, their heads, And their priests, and their prophets,

27 Saying to wood, `My father <FI>art<Fi> thou!' And to a stone, `Thou hast brought me forth,' For they turned unto me the back and not the face, And in the time of their vexation, They say, `Arise Thou, and save us.'

28 And where <FI>are<Fi> thy gods, that thou hast made to thyself? Let them arise, if they may save thee, In the time of thy vexation, For--the number of thy cities have been thy gods, O Judah,

29 Why do ye strive with Me? All of you have transgressed against Me, An affirmation of Jehovah.

30 In vain I have smitten your sons, Instruction they have not accepted, Devoured hath your sword your prophets, As a destroying lion.

31 O generation, see ye the word of Jehovah: A wilderness have I been to Israel? A land of thick darkness? Wherefore have My people said, `We mourned, We come not in again unto Thee.'

32 Doth a virgin forget her ornaments? A bride her bands? And My people have forgotten Me days without number.

33 What--dost thou make pleasing thy ways to seek love? Therefore even the wicked thou hast taught thy ways.

34 Also in thy skirts hath been found the blood of innocent needy souls, Not by digging have I found them, but upon all these.

35 And thou sayest, `Because I have been innocent, Surely turned back hath His anger from me?' Lo, I have been judged with thee, Because of thy saying, `I have not sinned.'

36 What? thou art very vile to repeat thy way, Even of Egypt thou art ashamed, As thou hast been ashamed of Asshur,

37 Also from this thou goest out, And thy hands on thy head, For Jehovah hath kicked at thy confidences, And thou dost not give prosperity to them!

Explanations by Age Level

Explain Like I'm 5

A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!

Explain Like I'm 10

Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.

Explain Like I'm 15

Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).