1. The Lord told me
2. to go to Jerusalem and tell everyone that he had said:When you were my young bride,you loved me and followed methrough the barren desert.
3. You belonged to me alone,like the first part of the harvest,and I severely punishedthose who ill-treated you.
4. Listen, people of Israel,
5. and I, the Lord, will speak.I was never unfairto your ancestors,but they left meand became worthlessby following worthless idols.
6. Your ancestors refusedto ask for my help,though I had rescued themfrom Egyptand led them througha treacherous, barren desert,where no one livesor dares to travel.
7. I brought you here to my land,where food is abundant,but you made my land filthywith your sins.
8. The priests who teach my lawsdon't care to know me.Your leaders rebel against me;your prophetsgive messages from Baaland worship false gods.
9. I will take you to courtand accuse youand your descendants
10-11. of a crime that no nationhas ever committed before.Just ask anyone, anywhere,from the eastern desertsto the islands in the west.You will find that no nationhas ever abandoned its godseven though they were false.I am the true and glorious God,but you have rejected meto worship idols.
12. Tell the heavensto tremble with fear!