1. The lord gave me another message. He said,
2. “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the lord says: “I remember how eager you were to please meas a young bride long ago,how you loved me and followed meeven through the barren wilderness.
3. In those days Israel was holy to the lord,the first of his children.All who harmed his people were declared guilty,and disaster fell on them.I, the lord, have spoken!”
4. Listen to the word of the lord, people of Jacob—all you families of Israel!
5. This is what the lord says:“What did your ancestors find wrong with methat led them to stray so far from me?They worshiped worthless idols,only to become worthless themselves.
6. They did not ask, ‘Where is the lordwho brought us safely out of Egyptand led us through the barren wilderness—a land of deserts and pits,a land of drought and death,where no one lives or even travels?’