The Forsaken Fountain

Jeremiah 2

The Lord recalls the devotion of Israel's youth and asks what fault their fathers found in him that they turned instead to worthless idols and foreign alliances with Egypt and Assyria. He charges his people with forsaking him, the fountain of living water, for broken cisterns that cannot hold water, and with worshipping gods of wood and stone that cannot save them.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHEN he said, Thus saith the Lord:

BrentonAnd he said, Thus saith the Lord, I remember the kindness of thy youth, and the love of thine espousals, in following the Holy One of Israel, saith the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε, τάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἐμνήσθην ἐλέους νεότητός σου, καὶ ἀγάπης τελειώσεώς σου, τοῦ ἐξακολουθῆσαί σε τῷ ἁγίῳ Ἰσραὴλ, λέγει Κύριος.

KJVGo and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

JPSGo, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying: Thus saith the LORD: I remember for thee the affection of thy youth, the love of thine espousals; how thou wentest after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

Thomsonthat thou mightest follow the Holy Israel, saith the Lord. The Holy Israel is to the Lord the chief of His productions, all that devour him shall be guilty of trespass: evils shall come upon them, saith the Lord.

BrentonIsrael was the holy people to the Lord, and the first-fruits of his increase: all that devoured him shall offend; evils shall come upon them, saith the Lord.

GreekὉ ἅγιος Ἰσραὴλ τῷ Κυρίῳ, ἀρχὴ γεννημάτων αὐτοῦ· πάντες οἱ ἔσθοντες αὐτὸν πλημμελήσουσι, κακὰ ἥξει ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, φησὶ Κύριος.

KJVIsrael was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

JPSIsrael is the LORD’S hallowed portion, His first-fruits of the increase; all that devour him shall be held guilty, evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

ThomsonHear a word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and every family of the house of Israel.

BrentonHear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and every family of the house of Israel.

GreekἈκούσατε λόγον Κυρίου οἶκος Ἰακὼβ, καὶ πᾶσα πατριὰ οἴκου Ἰσραήλ.

KJVHear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

JPSHear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel;

ThomsonThus saith the Lord: What fault did your fathers find in Me, that they have withdrawn from Me; and have gone after vanities and become vain?

BrentonThus saith the Lord, What trespass have your fathers found in me, that they have revolted far from me, and gone after vanities, and become vain?

GreekΤάδε λέγει Κύριος, τί εὕροσαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν ἐν ἐμοὶ πλημμέλημα, ὅτι ἀπέστησαν μακρὰν ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ὀπίσω τῶν ματαίων, καὶ ἐματαιώθησαν;

KJVThus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

JPSThus saith the LORD: What unrighteousness have your fathers found in Me, that they are gone far from Me, and have walked after things of nought, and are become nought?

Thomsonand did not say, Where is the Lord Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt; Who led us through the wilderness—through a boundless and untrodden land—through a land without water and without fruit—through a land which no man traversed, and where no man had a fixed abode?

BrentonAnd they said not, Where is the Lord, who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who guided us in the wilderness, in an untried and trackless land, in a land which no man at all went through, and no man dwelt there?

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ εἶπαν, ποῦ ἐστι Κύριος, ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἡμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, ὁ καθοδηγήσας ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν γῇ ἀπείρῳ καὶ ἀβάτῳ, ἐν γῇ ἀνύδρῳ καὶ ἀκάρπῳ, ἐν γῇ ᾗ οὐ διώδευσεν ἐν αὐτῇ ἀνὴρ εὐθὲν, καὶ οὐ κατῴκησεν ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ;

KJVNeither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

JPSNeither said they: ‘Where is the LORD that brought us up Out of the land of Egypt; that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?’

ThomsonWhen I brought you to Charmel that you might eat its fruits and the good things thereof; you entered in and polluted My land; and made My heritage an abomination.

BrentonAnd I brought you to Carmel, that ye should eat the fruits thereof, and the good thereof; and ye went in, and defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

GreekΚαὶ ἤγαγον ὑμᾶς εἰς τὸν Κάρμηλον, τοῦ φαγεῖν ὑμᾶς τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ ἀγαθὰ αὐτοῦ· καὶ εἰσήλθετε, καὶ ἐμιάνατε τὴν γῆν μου, καὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν μου ἔθεσθε εἰς βδέλυγμα.

KJVAnd I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

JPSAnd I brought you into a land of fruitful fields, to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled My land, and made My heritage an abomination.

ThomsonThe priests did not say, Where is the Lord? and they who studied the law did not know Me; the pastors also transgressed against Me; and the prophets prophesied for Baal and went after an unprofitable thing.

BrentonThe priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that held by the law knew me not: the shepherds also sinned against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after that which profited not.

GreekΟἱ ἱερεῖς οὐκ εἶπαν, ποῦ ἐστι Κύριος; καὶ οἱ ἀντεχόμενοι τοῦ νόμου, οὐκ ἠπίσταντό με, καὶ οἱ ποιμένες ἠσέβουν εἰς ἐμὲ, καὶ οἱ προφῆται ἐπροφήτευον τῇ Βάαλ, καὶ ὀπίσω ἀνωφελοῦς ἐπορεύθησαν.

KJVThe priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

JPSThe priests said not: ‘Where is the LORD?’ And they that handle the law knew Me not, and the rulers transgressed against Me; the prophets also prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

Thomson—

BrentonTherefore I will yet plead with you, and will plead with your children's children.

GreekΔιατοῦτο ἔτι κριθήσομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς, καὶ πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς τῶν υἱῶν ὑμῶν κριθήσομαι.

KJVWherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead.

JPSWherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead.

ThomsonFor go to the isles of Chettim and see; and send to Kedar and make strict inquiry; and see if such things have ever happened:

BrentonFor go to the isles of the Chettians, and see; and send to Kedar, and observe accurately, and see if such things have been done;

GreekΔιότι ἔλθετε εἰς νήσους Χεττιεὶμ, καὶ ἴδετε, καὶ εἰς Κηδὰρ ἀποστείλατε, καὶ νοήσατε σφόδρα, καὶ ἴδετε εἰ γέγονε τοιαῦτα·

KJVFor pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.

JPSFor pass over to the isles of the Kittites, and see, and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there hath been such a thing.

Thomsonhave nations changed their Gods, though they are no Gods? but My people have changed their glory for that which will not profit them.

Brentonif the nations will change their gods, though they are not gods: but my people have changed their glory, for that from which they shall not be profited.

Greekεἰ ἀλλάξωνται ἔθνη θεοὺς αὐτῶν, καὶ οὗτοι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί· ὁ δὲ λαός μου ἠλλάξατο τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, ἐξ ἧς οὐκ ὠφεληθήσονται.

KJVHath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

JPSHath a nation changed its gods, which yet are no gods? But My people hath changed its glory For that which doth not profit.

ThomsonAt this the heaven was astonished and shocked exceedingly, saith the Lord.

BrentonThe heaven is amazed at this, and is very exceedingly horror-struck, saith the Lord.

GreekἘξέστη ὁ οὐρανὸς ἐπὶ τούτῳ, καὶ ἔφριξεν ἐπὶ πλεῖον σφόδρα, λέγει Κύριος.

KJVBe astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.

JPSBe astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye exceeding amazed, saith the LORD.

ThomsonBecause My people did two things which are both evil: they forsook Me, the fountain of living water; and hewed out for themselves broken cisterns which cannot hold water.

BrentonFor my people has committed two faults, and evil ones: they have forsaken me, the fountain of water of life, and hewn out for themselves broken cisterns, which will not be able to hold water.

GreekὍτι δύο καὶ πονηρὰ ἐποίησεν ὁ λαός μου· ἐμὲ ἐγκατέλιπον πηγὴν ὕδατος ζωῆς, καὶ ὤρυξαν ἑαυτοῖς λάκκους συντετριμμένους, οἳ οὐ δυνήσονται ὕδωρ συνέχειν.

KJVFor my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

JPSFor My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, That can hold no water.

ThomsonIs Israel a slave or a home-born servant? Why was he for a prey?

BrentonIs Israel a servant, or a home-born slave? why has he become a spoil?

GreekΜὴ δοῦλός ἐστιν Ἰσραὴλ, ἢ οἰκογενής ἐστι; διατί εἰς προνομὴν ἐγένετο;

KJVIs Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?

JPSIs Israel a servant? Is he a home-born slave? Why is he become a prey?

ThomsonAgainst him lions roared and uttered their voice: they have made his land a desert and his cities are demolished so as to be uninhabitable.

BrentonThe lions roared upon him, and uttered their voice, which have made his land a wilderness: and his cities are broken down, that they should not be inhabited.

GreekἘπʼ αὐτὸν ὠρύοντο λέοντες, καὶ ἔδωκαν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῶν, οἳ ἔταξαν τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ εἰς ἔρημον, καὶ αἱ πόλεις αὐτοῦ κατεσκάφησαν, παρὰ τὸ μὴ κατοικεῖσθαι.

KJVThe young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.

JPSThe young lions have roared upon him, and let their voice resound; and they have made his land desolate, his cities are laid waste, without inhabitant.

ThomsonEven the sons of Memphis and Taphnas have known and derided thee.

BrentonAlso the children of Memphis and Taphnas have known thee, and mocked thee.

GreekΚαὶ υἱοὶ Μέμφεως καὶ Τάφνας ἔγνωσάν σε, καὶ κατέπαιζόν σου.

KJVAlso the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.

JPS—

ThomsonHath not thy forsaking Me, saith the Lord thy God, brought these things upon thee?

BrentonHas not thy forsaking me brought these things upon thee? saith the Lord thy God.

GreekΟὐχὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησέ σοι τὸ καταλιπεῖν σε ἐμέ; λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonNow therefore what hast thou to do with the way to Egypt? Is it to drink the water of Geon? Or what hast thou to do in the way to the Assyrians? Is it to drink the water of rivers? Let this apostacy of thine correct thee.

BrentonAnd now what hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the water of Geon? and what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of rivers?

GreekΚαὶ νῦν τί σοι καὶ τῇ ὁδῷ Αἰγύπτου τοῦ πιεῖν ὕδωρ Γηῶν; καὶ τί σοι καὶ τῇ ὁδῷ Ἀσσυρίων τοῦ πιεῖν ὕδωρ ποταμῶν;

KJVAnd now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

JPSAnd now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? Or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

ThomsonAnd thy wickedness work conviction in thee. And know and see how bitter a thing it is to forsake Me, saith the Lord thy God.

BrentonThine apostasy shall correct thee, and thy wickedness shall reprove thee: know then, and see, that thy forsaking me has been bitter to thee, saith the Lord thy God; and I have taken no pleasure in thee, saith the Lord thy God.

GreekΠαιδεύσει σε ἡ ἀποστασία σου, καὶ ἡ κακία σου ἐλέγξει σε· καὶ γνῶθι, καὶ ἴδε, ὅτι πικρόν σοι τὸ καταλιπεῖν σε ἐμὲ, λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου· καὶ οὐκ εὐδόκησα ἐπὶ σοὶ, λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου.

KJVThine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

JPSThine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: Know therefore and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, neither is My fear in thee, Saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

ThomsonFurther, I have no pleasure in thee, saith the Lord thy God, because of old thou hast broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands, and said, I will not serve Thee; but I will go up every high mount: and under every shady tree, I will there indulge my wantonness.

BrentonFor of old thou hast broken thy yoke, and plucked asunder thy bands; and thou hast said, I will not serve thee, but will go upon every high hill, and under every shady tree, there will I indulge in my fornication.

GreekὍτι ἀπʼ αἰῶνος συνέτριψας τὸν ζυγόν σου, καὶ διέσπασας τοὺς δεσμούς σου, καὶ εἶπας, οὐ δουλεύσω σοι ἀλλὰ πορεύσομαι ἐπὶ πάντα βουνὸν ὑψηλὸν, καὶ ὑποκάτω παντὸς ξύλου κατασκίου, ἐκεῖ διαχυθήσομαι ἐν τῇ πορνείᾳ μου.

KJVFor of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

JPSFor of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands, and thou saidst: ‘I will not transgress’; upon every high hill And under every leafy tree Thou didst recline, playing the harlot.

ThomsonI indeed planted thee an entirely good and fruitful vine: how art thou, O degenerate vine, turned to bitterness?

BrentonYet I planted thee a fruitful vine, entirely of the right sort: how art thou a strange vine turned to bitterness!

GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἐφύτευσά σε ἄμπελον καρποφόρον πᾶσαν ἀληθινήν· πῶς ἐστράφης εἰς πικρίαν ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀλλοτρία;

KJVYet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

JPSYet I had planted thee a noble vine, Wholly a right seed; How then art thou turned into the degenerate plant Of a strange vine unto Me?

ThomsonThough thou wash thyself with nitre and use much soap: thou art stained by thine iniquities in My sight, saith the Lord.

BrentonThough thou shouldest wash thyself with nitre, and multiply to thyself soap, still thou art stained by thine iniquities before me, saith the Lord.

GreekἘὰν ἀποπλύνῃ ἐν νίτρῳ, καὶ πληθυνῇς σεαυτῇ ποίαν, κεκηλίδωσαι ἐν ταῖς ἀδικίαις σου ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ, λέγει Κύριος.

KJVFor though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

JPSFor though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD.

ThomsonHow canst thou say, I am not polluted, nor have I gone after Baal? View thy ways in the grave-yard, and recollect what thou hast done. In the evening her voice raised the mournful cry.

BrentonHow wilt thou say, I am not polluted, and have not gone after Baal? behold thy ways in the burial-ground, and know what thou hast done: her voice has howled in the evening:

GreekΠῶς ἐρεῖς, οὐκ ἐμιάνθην, καὶ ὀπίσω τῆς Βάαλ οὐκ ἐπορεύθην; ἴδε τὰς ὁδούς σου ἐν τῷ πολυανδρίῳ, καὶ γνῶθι τί ἐποίησας· ὀψὲ φωνὴ αὐτῆς ὠλόλυξε·

KJVHow canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

JPSHow canst thou say: ‘I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baalim’? See thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done; thou art a swift young camel traversing her ways;

ThomsonShe enlarged her ways to the waters of a desert: by the desires of her soul she was transported into raptures. She is delivered up: who will bring her back? None who seek her will weary themselves. In her humiliation they shall find her.

Brentonshe has extended her ways over the waters of the desert; she was hurried along by the lusts of her soul; she is given up to them, who will turn her back? none that seek her shall be weary; at the time of her humiliation they shall find her.

GreekΤὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῆς ἐπλάτυνεν ἐφʼ ὕδατα ἐρήμου, ἐν ἐπιθυμίαις ψυχῆς αὐτῆς ἐπνευματοφορεῖτο, παρεδόθη, τίς ἐπιστρέψει αὐτήν; πάντες οἱ ζητοῦντες αὐτὴν οὐ κοπιάσουσιν, ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτῆς εὑρήσουσιν αὐτήν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonTurn thy foot from a rugged way, and thy throat from thirst. But she said, I will act like one come to maturity. Because she loved strangers, therefore after them she did go.

BrentonWithdraw thy foot from a rough way, and thy throat from thirst: but she said, I will strengthen myself: for she loved strangers, and went after them.

GreekἈπόστρεψον τὸν πόδα σου ἀπὸ ὁδοῦ τραχείας, καὶ τὸν φάρυγγά σου ἀπὸ δίψους· ἡ δὲ εἶπεν ἀνδριοῦμαι, ὅτι ἠγαπήκει ἀλλοτρίους, καὶ ὀπίσω αὐτῶν ἐπορεύετο.

KJVWithhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

JPSWithhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst; but thou saidst: ‘There is no hope; No, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.’

ThomsonAs a thief when taken, is ashamed; so shall the children of Israel be put to shame. They and their kings and their chiefs and their priests and their prophets,

BrentonAs is the shame of a thief when he is caught, so shall the children of Israel be ashamed; they, and their kings, and their princes, and their priests, and their prophets.

GreekὩς αἰσχύνη κλέπτου ὅταν ἁλῷ, οὕτως αἰσχυνθήσονται οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, αὐτοὶ καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ προφῆται αὐτῶν.

KJVAs the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,

JPSAs the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets;

Thomsonsaid to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast begotten me. And turned their backs to Me and not their faces: yet in the time of their troubles they will say, Arise and save us.

BrentonThey said to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast begotten me: and they have turned their backs to me, and not their faces: yet in the time of their afflictions they will say, Arise, and save us.

GreekΤῷ ξύλῳ εἶπαν, ὅτι πατήρ μου εἶ σὺ, καὶ τῷ λίθῳ, σὺ ἐγέννησάς με· καὶ ἔστρεψαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ νῶτα, καὶ οὐ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῶν κακῶν αὐτῶν ἐροῦσιν, ἀνάστα καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς.

KJVSaying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

JPSWho say to a stock: ‘Thou art my father’, and to a stone: ‘Thou hast brought us forth’, for they have turned their back unto Me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say: ‘Arise, and save us.’

ThomsonWhere now are thy gods which thou hast made for thyself? Will they arise and save in the time of thy trouble? Since according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda—and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem they burned incense to Baal;

BrentonAnd where are thy gods, which thou madest for thyself? will they arise and save in the time of thine affliction? for according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem they sacrificed to Baal.

GreekΚαὶ ποῦ εἰσὶν οἱ θεοί σου, οὓς ἐποίησας σεαυτῷ; εἰ ἀναστήσονται καὶ σώσουσιν ἐν καιρῷ τῆς κακώσεώς σου; ὅτι κατʼ ἀριθμὸν τῶν πόλεών σου ἦσαν θεοί σου Ἰούδα, καὶ κατʼ ἀριθμὸν διόδων τῆς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἔθυον τῇ Βάαλ.

KJVBut where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

JPSBut where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? Let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble; for according to the number of thy cities Are thy gods, O Judah.

Thomsonwhy do you address Me? You are all guilty of impiety; and you have all transgressed against Me, saith the Lord.

BrentonWherefore do ye speak unto me? ye all have been ungodly, and ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord.

GreekἹνατί λαλεῖτε πρὸς μέ; πάντες ὑμεῖς ἠσεβήσατε, καὶ πάντες ὑμεῖς ἠνομήσατε εἰς ἐμὲ, λέγει Κύριος.

KJVWherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.

JPSWherefore will ye contend with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, saith the LORD.

ThomsonIn vain have I smitten your children, you did not receive instruction: a sword devoured your prophets, like a ravening lion; and you were not terrified.—

BrentonIn vain have I smitten your children; ye have not received correction: a sword has devoured your prophets as a destroying lion; yet ye feared not.

GreekΜάτην ἐπάταξα τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν, παιδείαν οὐκ ἐδέξασθε, μάχαιρα κατέφαγε τοὺς προφήτας ὑμῶν ὡς λέων ὀλοθρεύων, καὶ οὐκ ἐφοβήθητε.

KJVIn vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

JPSIn vain have I smitten your children— They received no correction; Your sword hath devoured your prophets, Like a destroying lion.

ThomsonHear a word of the Lord! Thus saith the Lord, Was I a desert to Israel or a desolate land? Why did My people say, We will not be lorded over, nor come to Thee any more.

BrentonHear ye the word of the Lord: thus saith the Lord, Have I been a wilderness or a dry land to Israel? wherefore has my people said, We will not be ruled over, and will not come to thee any more?

GreekἈκούσατε λόγον Κυρίου· τάδε λέγει Κύριος, μὴ ἔρημος ἐγενόμην τῷ Ἰσραὴλ ἢ γῆ κεχερσωμένη; διατί εἶπεν ὁ λαός μου, οὐ κυριευθησόμεθα, καὶ οὐχ ἥξομεν πρὸς σὲ ἔτι;

KJVO generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?

JPSO generation, see ye the word of the LORD: Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? Or a land of thick darkness? Wherefore say My people: ‘We roam at large; we will come no more unto Thee’?

ThomsonWill a bride forget her attire; or a virgin, the ornaments that deck her bosom? Yet My people have forgotten Me, days without number.

BrentonWill a bride forget her ornaments, or a virgin her girdle? but my people has forgotten me days without number.

GreekΜὴ ἐπιλήσεται νύμφη τὸν κόσμον αὐτῆς, καὶ παρθένος τὴν στηθοδεσμίδα αὐτῆς; ὁ δὲ λαός μου ἐπελάθετό μου ἡμέρας ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός.

KJVCan a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

JPSCan a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.

ThomsonWilt thou yet study any decency in thy ways in search of love? Far from that, thou hast abandoned thyself to wickedness to pollute thy ways.

BrentonWhat fair device wilt thou yet employ in thy ways, so as to seek love? it shall not be so; moreover thou hast done wickedly in corrupting thy ways;

GreekΤί ἔτι καλὸν ἐπιτηδεύσεις ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς σου, τοῦ ζητῆσαι ἀγάπησιν; οὐχ οὕτως· ἀλλὰ καὶ σὺ ἐπονηρεύσω τοῦ μιάναι τὰς ὁδούς σου,

KJVWhy trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.

JPSHow trimmest thou thy way To seek love! Therefore—even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways;

ThomsonAnd on thy hands hath been found the blood of innocent souls. These I did not find in breaches into houses, but in every grove of oaks.

Brentonand in thine hands has been found the blood of innocent souls; I have not found them in holes, but on every oak.

Greekκαὶ ἐν ταῖς χερσί σου εὑρέθησαν αἵματα ψυχῶν ἀθώων· οὐκ ἐν διορύγμασιν εὗρον αὐτοὺς, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ πάσῃ δρυΐ.

KJVAlso in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

JPSAlso in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor; thou didst not find them breaking in; yet for all these things

ThomsonYet thou sayest, “I am innocent; let His wrath be turned from me. Behold I will emplead thee for saying, I have not sinned.

BrentonYet thou saidst, I am innocent: only let his wrath be turned away from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, whereas thou sayest, I have not sinned.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπας, ἀθῶός εἰμι, ἀλλὰ ἀποστραφήτω ὁ θυμὸς αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ. Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ κρίνομαι πρὸς σὲ, ἐν τῷ λέγειν σε, οὐχ ἥμαρτον·

KJVYet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

JPSThou saidst: ‘I am innocent; surely His anger is turned away from me’— Behold, I will enter into judgment with thee, because thou sayest: ‘I have not sinned.’

ThomsonBecause thou hast made very light of repeating thy journies, therefore thou shalt be made ashamed of Egypt, as thou hast been, of Assyria:

BrentonFor thou hast been so exceedingly contemptuous as to repeat thy ways; but thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assur.

GreekὍτι κατεφρόνησας σφόδρα τοῦ δευτερῶσαι τὰς ὁδούς σου· καὶ ἀπὸ Αἰγύπτου καταισχυνθήσῃ, καθὼς κατῃσχύνθης ἀπὸ Ἀσσούρ·

KJVWhy gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

JPSHow greatly dost thou cheapen thyself to change thy way? Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, As thou wast ashamed of Asshur.

Thomsonfor thou shalt come up thence with thy hands on thy head, for the Lord hath rejected thy confidence and thou shalt not prosper in it.

BrentonFor thou shalt go forth thence also with thine hands upon thine head; for the Lord has rejected thine hope, and thou shalt not prosper in it.

Greekὅτι καὶ ἐντεῦθεν ἐξελεύσῃ, καὶ αἱ χεῖρές σου ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς σου· ὅτι ἀπώσατο Κύριος τὴν ἐλπίδα σου, καὶ οὐκ εὐοδωθήσῃ ἐν αὐτῇ.

KJVYea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

JPSFrom him also shalt thou go forth, with thy hands upon thy head; for the LORD hath rejected them in whom thou didst trust, and thou shalt not prosper in them.