Jeremiah 2:1–7

Israel Turns from God

2The Lord spoke his word to me, saying: ²“Go and speak to the people of Jerusalem, saying: This is what the Lord says:

‘I remember how faithful you were to me when you were a young nation.

You loved me like a young bride.

You followed me through the desert,

a land that had never been planted.

³The people of Israel were holy to the Lord,

like the first fruits from his harvest.

Those who tried to hurt Israel were judged guilty.

Disasters struck them,’ ” says the Lord.

⁴Hear the word of the Lord, family of Jacob,

all you family groups of Israel.

⁵This is what the Lord says:

“I was fair to your ancestors,

so why did they turn away from me?

Your ancestors worshiped useless idols

and became useless themselves.

⁶Your ancestors didn’t say,

‘Where is the Lord who brought us out of Egypt?

He led us through the desert,

through a dry and rocky land,

through a dark and dangerous land.

He led us where no one travels or lives.’

⁷I brought you into a fertile land

so you could eat its fruit and produce.

But you came and made my land unclean;

you made it a hateful place.