Jeremiah 2:28–37

²⁸But where are your gods you made for yourself?

Let them rise up and save you^l

in your time of disaster if they can,

for your gods are as numerous as your cities, Judah.

JUDGMENT DESERVED

²⁹Why do you bring a case against me?^m

All of you have rebelled against me.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

³⁰I have struck down your children in vain;

they would not accept discipline.ⁿ

Your own sword has devoured your prophets^o

like a ravaging lion.

³¹Evil generation^*,

pay attention to the word of the Lord!

Have I been a wilderness to Israel

or a land of dense darkness?^p

Why do my people claim,

“We will go where we want;^C

we will no longer come to you”?

³²Can a young woman forget her jewelry^q

or a bride her wedding sash?

Yet my people have forgotten me^r

for countless days.

³³How skillfully you pursue love;

you also teach evil women your ways.

³⁴Moreover, your skirts are stained

with the blood of the innocent poor.^s

You did not catch them breaking and entering.^t

But in spite of all these things

³⁵you claim, “I am innocent.^u

His anger is sure to turn away from me.”

But I will certainly judge you

because you have said, “I have not sinned.”^v

³⁶How unstable you are,^w

constantly changing your ways!

You will be put to shame by Egypt^x

just as you were put to shame by Assyria.

³⁷Moreover, you will be led out from here

with your hands on your head^y

since the Lord has rejected those you trust;^z

you will not succeed even with their help.^A