Et factum est verbum Domini ad me, dicens:

Then the Lord’s word came to me:

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Vade, et clama in auribus Jerusalem, dicens: Hæc dicit Dominus: Recordatus sum tui, miserans adolescentiam tuam, et caritatem desponsationis tuæ, quando secuta es me in deserto, in terra quæ non seminatur.

Go and cry out so that all Jerusalem may hear, with this message from the Lord: What memories I have of thee, gracious memories of thy youth, of the love that plighted troth between us, when I led thee through the desert; alone in the barren wastes, thou and I!

Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying: Thus saith the Lord: I have remembered thee, pitying thy youth, and the love of thy espousals, when thou followedst me in the desert, in a land that is not sown.

Sanctus Israël Domino, primitiæ frugum ejus: omnes qui devorant eum delinquunt: mala venient super eos, dicit Dominus.

Israel was set apart for the Lord, first-fruits vowed to be his revenue; he lay under a ban that plucked them, and must rue his rashness, the Lord says.

Israel is holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his increase: all they that devour him offend: evils shall come upon them, saith the Lord.

Audite verbum Domini, domus Jacob, et omnes cognationes domus Israël.

Listen, then, to the Lord’s word, men of Jacob; listen, every clan that bears the name of Israel,

Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all ye families of the house of Israel:

Hæc dicit Dominus: Quid invenerunt patres vestri in me iniquitatis, quia elongaverunt a me, et ambulaverunt post vanitatem, et vani facti sunt?

to the Lord’s message: What fault did they find in me, those fathers of yours, that they should keep their distance from me, and court false gods, false as themselves?

Thus 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?

Et non dixerunt: Ubi est Dominus qui ascendere nos fecit de terra Ægypti; qui traduxit nos per desertum, per terram inhabitabilem et inviam, per terram sitis, et imaginem mortis, per terram in qua non ambulavit vir, neque habitavit homo?

And never a thought to ask where I, the Lord, was, that rescued them from Egypt, and led them on their way through the desert, wild and solitary, parched and dead, far from haunt of traveller and the homes of men!

And they have not said: Where is the Lord, that made us come up out of the land of Egypt? that led us through the desert, through a land uninhabited and unpassable, through a land of drought, and the image of death, through a land wherein no man walked, nor any man dwelt?

Et induxi vos in terram Carmeli, ut comederetis fructum ejus et optima illius: et ingressi contaminastis terram meam, et hæreditatem meam posuistis in abominationem.

Into a land of plenty I brought you, to enjoy the fruits and the blessings of it; and you had no sooner entered it than you must needs defile it, my own land, turn my chosen home into a place abominable.

And I brought you into the land of Carmel, to eat the fruit thereof, and the best things thereof: and when ye entered in, you defiled my land, and made my inheritance an abomination.

Sacerdotes non dixerunt: Ubi est Dominus? et tenentes legem nescierunt me, et pastores prævaricati sunt in me, et prophetæ prophetaverunt in Baal, et idola secuti sunt.

Never a priest to ask where I, the Lord, was; never a man of law but made a stranger of me, never a ruler but played me false, never a prophet but took Baal for his oracle, and had recourse to powers that were impotent.

The priests did not say: Where is the Lord? and they that held the law knew me not, and the pastors transgressed against me: and the prophets prophesied in Baal, and followed idols.

Propterea adhuc judicio contendam vobiscum, ait Dominus, et cum filiis vestris disceptabo.

Against you, the Lord says, my appeal still lies, and with your children I will yet be at issue.

Therefore will I yet contend in judgment with you, saith the Lord, and I will plead with your children.

Transite ad insulas Cethim, et videte: et in Cedar mittite, et considerate vehementer: et videte si factum est hujuscemodi:

Sail the seas till you reach the isles of Cethim; send envoys out to the wilds of Cedar; look for yourselves and make earnest enquiry, to know if the like was ever heard!

Pass over to the isles of Cethim, and see: and send into Cedar, and consider diligently: and see if there hath been done any thing like this.

si mutavit gens deos suos, et certe ipsi non sunt dii: populus vero meus mutavit gloriam suam in idolum.

What nation ever changed its gods, though gods indeed they were not? And should my people barter away the glory that dwelt among them, for powers that power have none?

If a nation hath changed their gods, and indeed they are not gods: but my people have changed their glory into an idol.

Obstupescite, cæli, super hoc, et portæ ejus, desolamini vehementer, dicit Dominus.

In horror and dismay witness, you heavens, the sight; crumble in ruins!

Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and ye gates thereof, be very desolate, saith the Lord.

Duo enim mala fecit populus meus: me dereliquerunt fontem aquæ vivæ, et foderunt sibi cisternas, cisternas dissipatas, quia continere non valent aquas.

Two wrongs this people of mine committed; me they forsook, the fountain of living water, and thereupon they dug cisterns of their own, leaking cisterns, that water had none to give them.

For my people have done two evils. They have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and have digged to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Numquid servus est Israël, aut vernaculus? quare ergo factus est in prædam?

What, is the race of Israel a slave, a chattel, that it should pass from hand to hand as the prize of war?

Is Israel a bondman, or a homeborn slave? why then is he become a prey?

Super eum rugierunt leones, et dederunt vocem suam: posuerunt terram ejus in solitudinem. Civitates ejus exustæ sunt, et non est qui habitet in eis.

Roaring lions have claimed it for their prey; the land lies waste, the cities burnt and desolate.

The lions have roared upon him, and have made a noise, they have made his land a wilderness: his cities are burnt down, and there is none to dwell in them.

Filii quoque Mempheos et Taphnes constupraverunt te usque ad verticem.

Even the Egyptians have come from Memphis and Taphne, to strip thee bare;

The children also of Memphis, and of Taphnes have defloured thee, even to the crown of the head.

Numquid non istud factum est tibi, quia dereliquisti Dominum Deum tuum eo tempore quo ducebat te per viam?

tell me, Israel, how came this? Was it not because thou hadst forsaken the Lord thy God, that till then had led thee?

Hath not this been done to thee, because thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God at that time, when he led thee by the way?

Et nunc quid tibi vis in via Ægypti, ut bibas aquam turbidam? et quid tibi cum via Assyriorum, ut bibas aquam fluminis?

What, wouldst thou turn to Egypt, to Assyria, and slake thy thirst with Nile or Euphrates?

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the troubled water? And what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of the river?

Arguet te malitia tua, et aversio tua increpabit te. Scito et vide quia malum et amarum est reliquisse te Dominum Deum tuum, et non esse timorem mei apud te, dicit Dominus Deus exercituum.

Here is the very proof of thy wickedness, the measure of thy unfaithfulness; see how ill it has gone with thee, says the Lord, the God of hosts, ever since thou didst forsake the Lord thy God, ever since thou didst banish the fear of me!

Thy own wickedness shall reprove thee, and thy apostasy shall rebuke thee. Know thou, and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing for thee, to have left the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not with thee, saith the Lord the God of hosts.

A sæculo confregisti jugum meum: rupisti vincula mea, et dixisti: Non serviam. In omni enim colle sublimi, et sub omni ligno frondoso, tu prosternebaris meretrix.

It is an old tale, now, how thou didst break in pieces the yoke of my dominion, didst sever all the bonds between us, crying out, I will serve no more! Thou wast off to play the wanton, the nearest hill-top or secret forest for thy bower.

Of old time thou hast broken my yoke, thou hast burst my bands, and thou saidst: I will not serve. For on every high hill, and under every green tree thou didst prostitute thyself.

Ego autem plantavi te vineam electam, omne semen verum: quomodo ergo conversa es mihi in pravum, vinea aliena?

Alas, vineyard of mine, that I planted with such care, never a worthless shoot! How is it thou hast played me false, and art no vineyard of mine?

Yet I planted thee a chosen vineyard, all true seed: how then art thou turned unto me into that which is good for nothing, O strange vineyard?

Si laveris te nitro, et multiplicaveris tibi herbam borith, maculata es in iniquitate tua coram me, dicit Dominus Deus.

Ay, use nitre for thy cleansing, spread potash as thou mayst, foul with guilt I shall still find thee, says the Lord God.

Though thou wash thyself with nitre, and multiply to thyself the herb borith, thou art stained in thy iniquity before me, saith the Lord God.

Quomodo dicis: Non sum polluta; post Baalim non ambulavi? Vide vias tuas in convalle; scito quid feceris: cursor levis explicans vias suas.

Nay, never boast that thou art undefiled, to countryside gods hast no recourse; bethink thee of thy traffickings in Ben-Ennom valley, and read there the story of thy doings. Camel never found its way so lightly;

How canst thou say: I am not polluted, I have not walked after Baalim? see thy ways in the valley, know what thou hast done: as a swift runner pursuing his course.

Onager assuetus in solitudine, in desiderio animæ suæ attraxit ventum amoris sui: nullus avertet eam: omnes qui quærunt eam non deficient: in menstruis ejus invenient eam.

wild ass in its familiar desert, scenting its mate, never obeyed the fire in its blood more uncontrollably! Little search it needs to find thy haunts, as its mate in spring-time.

A wild ass accustomed to the wilderness in the desire of his heart, snuffed up the wind of his love: none shall turn her away: all that seek her shall not fail: in her monthly filth they shall find her.

Prohibe pedem tuum a nuditate, et guttur tuum a siti. Et dixisti: Desperavi: nequaquam faciam: adamavi quippe alienos, et post eos ambulabo.

Reckless of unshod feet, of parching throat, thou criest out despairingly, Return I cannot; to alien gods all my heart is vowed, and I must follow still!

Keep thy foot from being bare, and thy throat from thirst. But thou saidst: I have lost all hope, I will not do it: for I have loved strangers, and I will walk after them.

Quomodo confunditur fur quando deprehenditur, sic confusi sunt domus Israël, ipsi et reges eorum, principes, et sacerdotes, et prophetæ eorum,

Thief caught in the act has less cause to blush than the men of Israel, king and prince, priest and prophet, with the rest.

As the thief is confounded when he is taken, so is the house of Israel confounded, they and their kings, their princes and their priests, and their prophets.

dicentes ligno: Pater meus es tu: et lapidi: Tu me genuisti. Verterunt ad me tergum et non faciem, et in tempore afflictionis suæ dicent: Surge, et libera nos.

Stock of wood and block of stone they hailed as the father that had begotten them; on me they turned their backs, and gave me never a glance. And now, in their distress, it is Up, Lord, and bring us rescue!

Saying to a stock: Thou art my father: and to a stone: Thou hast begotten me: they have turned their back to me, and not their face: and in the time of their affliction they will say: Arise, and deliver us.

Ubi sunt dii tui quos fecisti tibi? surgant, et liberent te in tempore afflictionis tuæ: secundum numerum quippe civitatum tuarum erant dii tui, Juda.

Where are those other gods thou madest for thyself? Bid them rise up and aid thee in the hour of peril; gods thou hadst a many; no city of thine, Juda, but must have its own!

Where are the gods, whom thou hast made thee? let them arise and deliver thee in the time of thy affliction: for according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda.

Quid vultis mecum judicio contendere? omnes dereliquistis me, dicit Dominus.

And would you still implead me? Nay, says the Lord, you have forsaken me, one and all.

Why will you contend with me in judgment? you have all forsaken me, saith the Lord.

Frustra percussi filios vestros: disciplinam non receperunt. Devoravit gladius vester prophetas vestros: quasi leo vastator

In vain I have smitten them, all those sons of yours; still you turned your swords against the prophets, bloodthirsty as lions.

In vain have I struck your children, they have not received correction: your sword hath devoured your prophets, your generation is like a ravaging lion.

generatio vestra. Videte verbum Domini: numquid solitudo factus sum Israëli, aut terra serotina? quare ergo dixit populus meus: Recessimus; non veniemus ultra ad te?

Out upon this age! Here is the Lord’s message, give good heed to it. Have I shewn myself unfriendly to Israel, like a desert, like a land overcast by shadows, that my own people has resolved to keep its distance, and come my way no more?

See ye the word of the Lord: Am I become a wilderness to Israel, or a lateward springing land? why then have my people said: We are revolted, we will come to thee no more?

Numquid obliviscetur virgo ornamenti sui, aut sponsa fasciæ pectoralis suæ? populus vero meus oblitus est mei diebus innumeris.

What, should maid forget her jewels, bride her stomacher? And my own people, all these long days, has forgotten me!

Will a virgin forget her ornament, or a bride her stomacher? but my people hath forgotten me days without number.

Quid niteris bonam ostendere viam tuam ad quærendam dilectionem, quæ insuper et malitias tuas docuisti vias tuas,

What avails it to justify thyself, in hope of winning back my love, when thou thyself dost blazon so openly thy doings, thy foul misdoings?

Why dost thou endeavour to shew thy way good to seek my love, thou who hast also taught thy malices to be thy ways,

et in alis tuis inventus est sanguis animarum pauperum et innocentum? non in fossis inveni eos, sed in omnibus quæ supra memoravi.

There is blood on thy hands, the blood of friendless folk and innocent. It is not thieves I have found, but men guilty of such crimes as these.

And in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor and innocent? not in ditches have I found them, but in all places, which I mentioned before.

Et dixisti: Absque peccato et innocens ego sum, et propterea avertatur furor tuus a me. Ecce ego judicio contendam tecum, eo quod dixeris: Non peccavi.

And still thou declarest thyself innocent of any fault, still thou biddest me withhold my vengeance! Come, let me answer thy plea of innocence.

And thou hast said: I am without sin and am innocent: and therefore let thy anger be turned away from me. Behold, I will contend with thee in judgment, because thou hast said: I have not sinned.

Quam vilis facta es nimis, iterans vias tuas! et ab Ægypto confunderis, sicut confusa es ab Assur.

How light a woman thou art, ever at thy old ways! Not less than thy hopes of Assyria, thy hopes of Egypt shall be disappointed;

How exceeding base art thou become, going the same ways over again! and thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

Nam et ab ista egredieris, et manus tuæ erunt super caput tuum: quoniam obtrivit Dominus confidentiam tuam, et nihil habebis prosperum in ea.

thence, too, thou shalt come away wringing thy hands; all the confidence thou hast the Lord means to destroy; thou shalt make no shift with Egypt.

For from thence thou shalt go, and thy hand shall be upon thy head: for the Lord hath destroyed thy trust, and thou shalt have nothing prosperous therein.