Jer.1.1

The Message of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah of the family of priests who lived in Anathoth in the country of Benjamin.

Jer.1.1

The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.

Jer.1.1

The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin,

Jer.1.1

These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests from Anathoth, a town in the land of Benjamin.

Jer.1.2

GOD's Message began to come to him during the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amos reigned over Judah.

Jer.1.2

The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,

Jer.1.2

to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

Jer.1.2

The LORD first gave messages to Jeremiah during the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign in Judah.

Jer.1.3

It continued to come to him during the time Jehoiakim son of Josiah reigned over Judah. And it continued to come to him clear down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah over Judah, the year that Jerusalem was taken into exile.

Jer.1.3

and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

Jer.1.3

It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

Jer.1.3

He continued to give messages throughout the reign of Josiah's son, King Jehoiakim, until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign in Judah. In August of that year, the people of Jerusalem were taken away as captives.

Jer.1.4

This is what GOD said:

Jer.1.4

The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Jer.1.4

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

Jer.1.4

The LORD gave me a message. He said,

Jer.1.5

"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations--that's what I had in mind for you."

Jer.1.5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Jer.1.5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

Jer.1.5

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."

Jer.1.6

But I said, "Hold it, Master GOD! Look at me. I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!"

Jer.1.6

"Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."

Jer.1.6

Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."

Jer.1.6

"O Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!"

Jer.1.7

GOD told me, "Don't say, "I'm only a boy.' I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there. I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it.

Jer.1.7

But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

Jer.1.7

But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, "I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Jer.1.7

"Don't say that," the LORD replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.

Jer.1.8

Don't be afraid of a soul. I'll be right there, looking after you." GOD's Decree.

Jer.1.8

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Jer.1.8

Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.

Jer.1.8

And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Jer.1.9

GOD reached out, touched my mouth, and said, "Look! I've just put my words in your mouth--hand-delivered!

Jer.1.9

Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

Jer.1.9

Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

Jer.1.9

Then the LORD touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth!

Jer.1.10

See what I've done? I've given you a job to do among nations and governments--a red-letter day! Your job is to pull up and tear down, take apart and demolish, And then start over, building and planting."

Jer.1.10

See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

Jer.1.10

See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant."

Jer.1.10

Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build others up and plant them."

Jer.1.11

GOD's Message came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "A walking stick--that's all."

Jer.1.11

The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?I see the branch of an almond tree," I replied.

Jer.1.11

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree."

Jer.1.11

Then the LORD said to me, "Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?" And I replied, "I see a branch from an almond tree."

Jer.1.12

And GOD said, "Good eyes! I'm sticking with you. I'll make every word I give you come true."

Jer.1.12

The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled."

Jer.1.12

Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word."

Jer.1.12

And the LORD said, "That's right, and it means that I am watching, and I will surely carry out my threats of punishment."

Jer.1.13

GOD's Message came again: "So what do you see now?" I said, "I see a boiling pot, tipped down toward us."

Jer.1.13

The word of the LORD came to me again: "What do you see?I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north," I answered.

Jer.1.13

And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north."

Jer.1.13

Then the LORD spoke to me again and asked, "What do you see now?" And I replied, "I see a pot of boiling water, tipping from the north."

Jer.1.14

Then GOD told me, "Disaster will pour out of the north on everyone living in this land.

Jer.1.14

The LORD said to me, "From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.

Jer.1.14

Then the LORD said to me: "Out of the north calamity shall break forth On all the inhabitants of the land.

Jer.1.14

"Yes," the LORD said, "for terror from the north will boil out on the people of this land.

Jer.1.15

Watch for this: I'm calling all the kings out of the north." GOD's Decree. "They'll come and set up headquarters facing Jerusalem's gates, Facing all the city walls, facing all the villages of Judah.

Jer.1.15

I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms," declares the LORD. "Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah.

Jer.1.15

For behold, I am calling All the families of the kingdoms of the north," says the LORD; "They shall come and each one set his throne At the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, Against all its walls all around, And against all the cities of Judah.

Jer.1.15

Listen! I am calling the armies of the kingdoms of the north to come to Jerusalem. They will set their thrones at the gates of the city. They will attack its walls and all the other towns of Judah.

Jer.1.16

I'll pronounce my judgment on the people of Judah for walking out on me--what a terrible thing to do!- And courting other gods with their offerings, worshiping as gods sticks they'd carved, stones they'd painted.

Jer.1.16

I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made.

Jer.1.16

I will utter My judgments Against them concerning all their wickedness, Because they have forsaken Me, Burned incense to other gods, And worshiped the works of their own hands.

Jer.1.16

I will pronounce judgment on my people for all their evil--for deserting me and worshiping other gods. Yes, they worship idols that they themselves have made!

Jer.1.17

"But you--up on your feet and get dressed for work! Stand up and say your piece. Say exactly what I tell you to say. Don't pull your punches or I'll pull you out of the lineup.

Jer.1.17

"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.

Jer.1.17

"Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, Lest I dismay you before them.

Jer.1.17

"Get up and get dressed. Go out, and tell them whatever I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them.

Jer.1.18

"Stand at attention while I prepare you for your work. I'm making you as impregnable as a castle, Immovable as a steel post, solid as a concrete block wall. You're a one--man defense system against this culture, Against Judah's kings and princes, against the priests and local leaders.

Jer.1.18

Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.

Jer.1.18

For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land-- Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land.

Jer.1.18

For see, today I have made you immune to their attacks. You are strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. None of the kings, officials, priests, or people of Judah will be able to stand against you.

Jer.1.19

They'll fight you, but they won't even scratch you. I'll back you up every inch of the way." GOD's Decree.

Jer.1.19

They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Jer.1.19

They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you," says the LORD, "to deliver you."

Jer.1.19

They will try, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Jer.2.1

GOD's Message came to me. It went like this:

Jer.2.1

The word of the LORD came to me:

Jer.2.1

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Jer.2.1

The LORD gave me another message. He said,

Jer.2.2

"Get out in the streets and call to Jerusalem, "GOD's Message! I remember your youthful loyalty, our love as newlyweds. You stayed with me through the wilderness years, stuck with me through all the hard places.

Jer.2.2

"Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: "'I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown.

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"Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, "Thus says the LORD: "I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.

Jer.2.2

"Go and shout in Jerusalem's streets: `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.

Jer.2.3

Israel was GOD's holy choice, the pick of the crop. Anyone who laid a hand on her would soon wish he hadn't!'" GOD's Decree. [JC]

Jer.2.3

Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,'" declares the LORD.

Jer.2.3

Israel was holiness to the LORD, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them," says the LORD."'

Jer.2.3

In those days Israel was holy to the LORD, the first of my children. All who harmed my people were considered guilty, and disaster fell upon them. I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

Jer.2.4

Hear GOD's Message, House of Jacob! Yes, you--House of Israel!

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Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, all you clans of the house of Israel.

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Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.

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

Jer.2.5

GOD's Message: "What did your ancestors find fault with in me that they drifted so far from me, Took up with Sir Windbag and turned into windbags themselves?

Jer.2.5

This is what the LORD says: "What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.

Jer.2.5

Thus says the LORD: "What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters?

Jer.2.5

This is what the LORD says: "What sin did your ancestors find in me that led them to stray so far? They worshiped foolish idols, only to become foolish themselves.

Jer.2.6

It never occurred to them to say, "Where's GOD, the God who got us out of Egypt, Who took care of us through thick and thin, those rough-and-tumble wilderness years of parched deserts and death valleys, A land that no one who enters comes out of, a cruel, inhospitable land?'

Jer.2.6

They did not ask, 'Where is the LORD, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and rifts, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?'

Jer.2.6

Neither did they 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 pits, Through a land of drought and the shadow of death, Through a land that no one crossed And where no one dwelt?'

Jer.2.6

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, of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?'

Jer.2.7

"I brought you to a garden land where you could eat lush fruit. But you barged in and polluted my land, trashed and defiled my dear land.

Jer.2.7

I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.

Jer.2.7

I brought you into a bountiful country, To eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land And made My heritage an abomination.

Jer.2.7

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

Jer.2.8

The priests never thought to ask, "Where's GOD?' The religion experts knew nothing of me. The rulers defied me. The prophets preached god Baal And chased empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes.

Jer.2.8

The priests did not ask, 'Where is the LORD?' Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.

Jer.2.8

The priests did not say, "Where is the LORD?' And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit.

Jer.2.8

The priests did not ask, `Where is the LORD?' The judges ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on nonsense.

Jer.2.9

"Because of all this, I'm bringing charges against you" --GOD's Decree--"charging you and your children and your grandchildren.

Jer.2.9

"Therefore I bring charges against you again," declares the LORD. "And I will bring charges against your children's children.

Jer.2.9

"Therefore I will yet bring charges against you," says the LORD, "And against your children's children I will bring charges.

Jer.2.9

Therefore, I will bring my case against you and will keep on accusing you, even against your children's children in the years to come. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Jer.2.10

Look around. Have you ever seen anything quite like this? Sail to the western islands and look. Travel to the Kedar wilderness and look. Look closely. Has this ever happened before,

Jer.2.10

Cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this:

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For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing.

Jer.2.10

"Go west to the land of Cyprus; go east to the land of Kedar. Think about what you see there. See if anyone has ever heard of anything as strange as this.

Jer.2.11

That a nation has traded in its gods for gods that aren't even close to gods? But my people have traded my Glory for empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes.

Jer.2.11

Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols.

Jer.2.11

Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit.

Jer.2.11

Has any nation ever exchanged its gods for another god, even though its gods are nothing? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!

Jer.2.12

"Stand in shock, heavens, at what you see! Throw up your hands in disbelief--this can't be!" GOD's Decree.

Jer.2.12

Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the LORD.

Jer.2.12

Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate," says the LORD.

Jer.2.12

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

Jer.2.13

"My people have committed a compound sin: they've walked out on me, the fountain Of fresh flowing waters, and then dug cisterns--cisterns that leak, cisterns that are no better than sieves.

Jer.2.13

"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jer.2.13

"For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jer.2.13

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

Jer.2.14

"Isn't Israel a valued servant, born into a family with place and position? So how did she end up a piece of meat

Jer.2.14

Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth? Why then has he become plunder?

Jer.2.14

"Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he plundered?

Jer.2.14

"Why has Israel become a nation of slaves? Why has she been carried away as plunder?

Jer.2.15

fought over by snarling and roaring lions? There's nothing left of her but a few old bones, her towns trashed and deserted.

Jer.2.15

Lions have roared; they have growled at him. They have laid waste his land; his towns are burned and deserted.

Jer.2.15

The young lions roared at him, and growled; They made his land waste; His cities are burned, without inhabitant.

Jer.2.15

Lions have roared against her. The land has been destroyed, and the cities are now in ruins. No one lives in them anymore.

Jer.2.16

Egyptians from the cities of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken your skulls.

Jer.2.16

Also, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head.

Jer.2.16

Also the people of Noph and Tahpanhes Have broken the crown of your head.

Jer.2.16

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

Jer.2.17

And why do you think all this has happened? Isn't it because you walked out on your God just as he was beginning to lead you in the right way?

Jer.2.17

Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the LORD your God when he led you in the way?

Jer.2.17

Have you not brought this on yourself, In that you have forsaken the LORD your God When He led you in the way?

Jer.2.17

And you have brought this on yourselves by rebelling against the LORD your God when he wanted to lead you and show you the way!

Jer.2.18

"And now, what do you think you'll get by going off to Egypt? Maybe a cool drink of Nile River water? Or what do you think you'll get by going off to Assyria? Maybe a long drink of Euphrates River water?

Jer.2.18

Now why go to Egypt to drink water from the Shihor? And why go to Assyria to drink water from the River?

Jer.2.18

And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River?

Jer.2.18

"What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and Assyria? What good to you are the waters of the Nile and the Euphrates?

Jer.2.19

Your evil ways will get you a sound thrashing, that's what you'll get. You'll pay dearly for your disloyal ways. Take a long, hard look at what you've done and its bitter results. Was it worth it to have walked out on your God?" GOD's Decree, Master GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Jer.2.19

Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

Jer.2.19

Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the LORD your God, And the fear of Me is not in you," Says the Lord GOD of hosts.

Jer.2.19

Your own wickedness will punish you. You will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to forsake the LORD your God, having no fear of him. I, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!

Jer.2.20

"A long time ago you broke out of the harness. You shook off all restraints. You said, "I will not serve!' and off you went, Visiting every sex--and-religion shrine on the way, like a common whore.

Jer.2.20

"Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, 'I will not serve you!' Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute.

Jer.2.20

"For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; And you said, "I will not transgress,' When on every high hill and under every green tree You lay down, playing the harlot.

Jer.2.20

Long ago I broke your yoke and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you would not obey me. On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols.

Jer.2.21

You were a select vine when I planted you from completely reliable stock. And look how you've turned out--a tangle of rancid growth, a poor excuse for a vine.

Jer.2.21

I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?

Jer.2.21

Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?

Jer.2.21

"How could this happen? When I planted you, I chose a vine of the purest stock--the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?

Jer.2.22

Scrub, using the strongest soaps. Scour your skin raw. The sin-grease won't come out. I can't stand to even look at you!" GOD's Decree, the Master's Decree.

Jer.2.22

Although you wash yourself with soda and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me," declares the Sovereign LORD.

Jer.2.22

For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord GOD.

Jer.2.22

No amount of soap or lye can make you clean. You are stained with guilt that cannot be washed away. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

Jer.2.23

"How dare you tell me, "I'm not stained by sin. I've never chased after the Baal sex gods'! Well, look at the tracks you've left behind in the valley. How do you account for what is written in the desert dust--Tracks of a camel in heat, running this way and that,

Jer.2.23

"How can you say, 'I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals'? See how you behaved in the valley; consider what you have done. You are a swift she-camel running here and there,

Jer.2.23

"How can you say, "I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals'? See your way in the valley; Know what you have done: You are a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways,

Jer.2.23

"You say, `That's not true! We 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, desperate for a male!

Jer.2.24

tracks of a wild donkey in rut, Sniffing the wind for the slightest scent of sex. Who could possibly corral her! On the hunt for sex, sex, and more sex--insatiable, indiscriminate, promiscuous.

Jer.2.24

a wild donkey accustomed to the desert, 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.

Jer.2.24

A wild donkey used to the wilderness, That sniffs at the wind in her desire; In her time of mating, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves; In her month they will find her.

Jer.2.24

You are like a wild donkey, sniffing the wind at mating time. Who can restrain your lust? Those who desire you do not even need to search, for you come running to them!

Jer.2.25

"Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, "I can't help it. I'm addicted to alien gods. I can't quit.' [JC]

Jer.2.25

Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry. But you said, 'It's no use! I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.'

Jer.2.25

Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst. But you said, "There is no hope. No! For I have loved aliens, and after them I will go.'

Jer.2.25

Why do you refuse to turn from all this running after other gods? But you say, `Don't waste your breath. I have fallen in love with these foreign gods, and I can't stop loving them now!'

Jer.2.26

"Just as a thief is chagrined, but only when caught, so the people of Israel are chagrined, Caught along with their kings and princes, their priests and prophets.

Jer.2.26

"As a thief is disgraced when he is caught, so the house of Israel is disgraced- they, their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets.

Jer.2.26

"As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets,

Jer.2.26

"Like a thief, Israel feels shame only when she gets caught. Kings, officials, priests, and prophets--all are alike in this.

Jer.2.27

They walk up to a tree and say, "My father!' They pick up a stone and say, "My mother! You bore me!' All I ever see of them is their backsides. They never look me in the face. But when things go badly, they don't hesitate to come running, calling out, "Get a move on! Save us!'

Jer.2.27

They say to wood, 'You are my father,' and to stone, 'You gave me birth.' They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, 'Come and save us!'

Jer.2.27

Saying to a tree, "You are my father,' And to a stone, "You gave 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.'

Jer.2.27

To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, `You are my father.' To an idol chiseled out of stone they say, `You are my mother.' They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out for me to save them!

Jer.2.28

Why not go to your handcrafted gods you're so fond of? Rouse them. Let them save you from your bad times. You've got more gods, Judah, than you know what to do with.

Jer.2.28

Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.

Jer.2.28

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 according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.

Jer.2.28

Why don't you call on these gods you have made? When danger comes, let them save you if they can! For you have as many gods as there are cities and towns in Judah.

Jer.2.29

"What do you have against me, running off to assert your "independence'?" GOD's Decree.

Jer.2.29

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

Jer.2.29

"Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me," says the LORD.

Jer.2.29

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

Jer.2.30

"I've wasted my time trying to train your children. They've paid no attention to me, ignored my discipline. And you've gotten rid of your God-messengers, treating them like dirt and sweeping them away.

Jer.2.30

"In vain I punished your people; they did not respond to correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a ravening lion.

Jer.2.30

"In vain I have chastened your children; They received no correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion.

Jer.2.30

I have punished your children, but it did them no good. They still refuse to obey. You yourselves have killed your prophets as a lion kills its prey.