Jeremiah 2:2-12 (Vespers, 2nd reading)
- 2
- “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.
- 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.’”
- 4
- Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 9
- “ Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the LORD, “ And against your children’s children I will bring charges.
- 10
- For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, send to Kedar and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing.
- 11
- Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit.
- 12
- Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate,” says the LORD.