Jeremiah 3:1–5

“Suppose a man divorces his wife.

What if she then gets married to another man?

Should her first husband return to her again?

If he does, won’t the land become completely ‘unclean’?

People of Israel, you have lived like a prostitute.

You have loved many other gods.

So do you think you can return to me now?”

announces the Lord.

²“Look up at the bare hilltops.

Is there any place where you have not committed adultery with other gods?

By the side of the road you sat waiting for lovers.

You sat there like someone who wanders in the desert.

You have polluted the land.

You are like a sinful prostitute.

³So I have held the showers back.

I have kept the spring rains from falling.

But you still have the bold face of a prostitute.

You refuse to blush with shame.

⁴You have just now called out to me.

You said,

‘My Father, you have been my friend

ever since I was young.

⁵Will you always be angry with me?

Will your anger continue forever?’

That is how you talk.

But you do all of the evil things you can.”