Jeremiah 2:28–37

²⁸But where are your gods you made for yourself?

Let them rise up and save you ^m

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? ⁿ

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. ^o

Your own sword has devoured your prophets ^p

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? ^q

Why do My people claim,

“We will go where we want; ^r

we will no longer come to You”?

³²Can a young woman forget her jewelry ^s

or a bride her wedding sash?

Yet My people have forgotten Me ^t

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. ^u

You did not catch them breaking and entering. ^v

But in spite of all these things

³⁵you claim, “I am innocent. ^w

His anger is sure to turn away from me.”

But I will certainly judge you

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

³⁶How unstable you are, ^y

constantly changing your ways!

You will be put to shame by Egypt ^z

just as you were put to shame by Assyria.

³⁷Moreover, you will be led out from here

with your hands on your head ^a

since the Lord has rejected those you trust; ^b

you will not succeed even with their help. ^c