Parallel Bible results for "jeremiah 2"

Jeremiah 2

New Living Translation NLT

1 The LORD gave me another message. He said,

2 “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the LORD says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness.

3 In those days Israel was holy to the LORD, the first of his children. All who harmed his people were declared guilty, and disaster fell on them. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

4 Listen to the word of the LORD, people of Jacob—all you families of Israel!

5 This is what the LORD says: “What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? They worshiped worthless idols, only to become worthless themselves.

6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us safely out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness— a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?’

7 “And when I brought you into a fruitful land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, you defiled my land and corrupted the possession I had promised you.

8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD ?’ Those who taught my word ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on worthless idols.

9 Therefore, I will bring my case against you,” says the LORD . “I will even bring charges against your children’s children in the years to come.

10 “Go west and look in the land of Cyprus ; go east and search through the land of Kedar. Has anyone ever heard of anything as strange as this?

11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!

12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the LORD .

13 “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

14 “Why has Israel become a slave? Why has he been carried away as plunder?

15 Strong lions have roared against him, and the land has been destroyed. The towns are now in ruins, and no one lives in them anymore.

16 Egyptians, marching from their cities of Memphis and Tahpanhes, have destroyed Israel’s glory and power.

17 And you have brought this upon yourselves by rebelling against the LORD your God, even though he was leading you on the way!

18 “What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and your covenants with Assyria? What good to you are the streams of the Nile or the waters of the Euphrates River?

19 Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. Your turning from me will shame you. You will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon the LORD your God and not to fear him. I, the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!

20 “Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you said, ‘I will not serve you.’ On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols.

21 But I was the one who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock—the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?

22 No amount of soap or lye can make you clean. I still see the stain of your guilt. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

23 “You say, ‘That’s not true! I haven’t worshiped the images of Baal!’ But how can you say that? Go and look in any valley in the land! Face the awful sins you have done. You are like a restless female camel desperately searching for a mate.

24 You are like a wild donkey, sniffing the wind at mating time. Who can restrain her lust? Those who desire her don’t need to search, for she goes running to them!

25 When will you stop running? When will you stop panting after other gods? But you say, ‘Save your breath. I’m in love with these foreign gods, and I can’t stop loving them now!’

26 “Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets— all are alike in this.

27 To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, ‘You are my father.’ To an idol chiseled from a block of stone they say, ‘You are my mother.’ They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me, ‘Come and save us!’

28 But why not call on these gods you have made? When trouble comes, let them save you if they can! For you have as many gods as there are towns in Judah.

29 Why do you accuse me of doing wrong? You are the ones who have rebelled,” says the LORD .

30 “I have punished your children, but they did not respond to my discipline. You yourselves have killed your prophets as a lion kills its prey.

31 “O my people, listen to the words of the LORD ! Have I been like a desert to Israel? Have I been to them a land of darkness? Why then do my people say, ‘At last we are free from God! We don’t need him anymore!’

32 Does a young woman forget her jewelry, or a bride her wedding dress? Yet for years on end my people have forgotten me.

33 “How you plot and scheme to win your lovers. Even an experienced prostitute could learn from you!

34 Your clothing is stained with the blood of the innocent and the poor, though you didn’t catch them breaking into your houses!

35 And yet you say, ‘I have done nothing wrong. Surely God isn’t angry with me!’ But now I will punish you severely because you claim you have not sinned.

36 First here, then there— you flit from one ally to another asking for help. But your new friends in Egypt will let you down, just as Assyria did before.

37 In despair, you will be led into exile with your hands on your heads, for the LORD has rejected the nations you trust. They will not help you at all.

Common English Bible CEB

1 The LORD's word came to me:

2 Go and proclaim to the people of Jerusalem, The LORD proclaims: I remember your first love, your devotion as a young bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in an unplanted land.

3 Israel was devoted to the LORD, the early produce of the harvest. Whoever ate from it became guilty; disaster overtook them, declares the LORD.

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.

14 Is Israel a slave, a servant by birth? If not, why then has he become prey?

15 Lions roar at him; they growl. They destroy his land and make his towns desolate until nothing is left.

16 As well, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes lay open your scalp.

17 Haven't you brought this on yourself by abandoning the LORD your God, who has directed your paths?

18 So why take the path to Egypt to drink water from the Nile? Why travel the path to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates?

19 Your wrongdoing will punish you. Your acts of unfaithfulness will find you out. Don't you understand how terribly bitter it is to abandon the LORD your God and not fear me? declares the LORD of heavenly forces.

20 Long ago I broke your yoke; I shattered your chains. But even then you said, "I won't serve you." On every high hill and under every lush tree, you have acted like a prostitute.

21 Yet it was I who planted you, a precious vine of fine quality; how could you turn into a wild vine and become good for nothing?

22 Even though you scrub yourself with soap or strong powder, the stain of your sin is still before me, declares the LORD God.

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."

26 As a thief is ashamed when caught in his tracks, so the people of Israel are ashamed— their kings, officials, priests, and prophets—

27 when they say to a piece of wood, "You are my father," and to a stone, "You gave me birth." They have turned their backs to me and not their faces. Yet in their time of trouble they say, "Arise and save us!"

28 Where are the gods you have made for yourselves? Let's see if they will come through for you in your time of trouble. You have as many gods, Judah, as you have towns.

29 Why would you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me, declares the LORD.

30 I have disciplined your children in vain; they have rejected my correction. You have devoured your prophets like a hungry lion.

31 People of this generation, listen closely to the LORD's word: Have I been a wasteland to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why then do my people say, "We have wandered far away; we'll come to you no longer"?

32 Does a young woman forget her jewelry or a bride her wedding dress? Yet you have forgotten me days without end!

33 So skilled are you at pursuing lovers that you instruct even the most wicked.

34 Your garments are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, even though you didn't catch them breaking and entering. Yet, despite all this,

35 you still insist, "I'm innocent; as a result he will turn his anger away from me." Because you claim not to have sinned, I will pass judgment against you.

36 You change sides so casually! But Egypt will shame you no less than Assyria.

37 From there you will go out with your hands on your heads, because the LORD has rejected those you rely on; they won't help you.