1 The word of the Lord came to me:
2 ‘Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:‘This is what the Lord says:‘ “I remember the devotion of your youth,how as a bride you loved meand followed me through the wilderness,through a land not sown.
3 Israel was holy to the Lord,the firstfruits of his harvest;all who devoured her were held guilty,and disaster overtook them,” ’declares the Lord.
4 Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob,all you clans of Israel.
5 This is what the Lord says:‘What fault did your ancestors find in me,that they strayed so far from me?They followed worthless idolsand became worthless themselves.
6 They did not ask, “Where is the Lord,who brought us up out of Egyptand led us through the barren wilderness,through a land of deserts and ravines,a land of drought and utter darkness,a land where no one travels and no one lives?”
7 I brought you into a fertile landto eat its fruit and rich produce.But you came and defiled my landand made my inheritance detestable.