Jeremiah 2:31

²⁹ Why do you bring a case against Me? You have all rebelled against Me,” declares the LORD.

³⁰ “I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.”

You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?

³² Does a maiden forget her jewelry or a bride her wedding sash? Yet My people have forgotten Me for days without number.

³³ How skillfully you pursue love! Even the most immoral of women could learn from your ways.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?
KJV: O 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?
WEB: Generation, consider the LORD’s word. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, ‘We have broken loose. We will come to you no more’?
ASV: O generation, see ye the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? or a land of thick darkness? wherefore say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no more unto thee?
DARBY: O generation, mark ye the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Wherefore say my people, We have dominion; we will come no more unto thee?
BLB: “O generation, consider you⁺ the word of YHWH. “Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are lords; we will not come to You anymore?’

ÅB: Du onde slekt! Gi akt på Herrens ord! Har jeg vært en ørken for Israel eller et belgmørkt land? Hvorfor sier mitt folk: Vi har gjort oss fri, vi vil ikke mere komme til deg?
OTB: "Du generasjon, vurder Herrens ord: Har jeg vært en ørken for Israel eller et land av tykk mørke? Hvorfor sier mitt folk, 'Vi er fri til å streife; vi vil ikke komme til deg mer'?
B1930: Du onde slekt! Gi akt på Herrens ord! Har jeg vært en ørken for Israel eller et belgmørkt land? Hvorfor sier mitt folk: Vi har gjort oss fri, vi vil ikke mere komme til dig?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Samuel 12:7–9
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
Read in context
Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.
Read in context
Isaiah 45:19
I have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right.
Read in context
Micah 6:9
The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.
Read in context
Hosea 13:6
When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me.
Read in context
Revelation 3:15–17
I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!
Read in context
Nehemiah 9:21–25
For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
Read in context
Hosea 2:7–8
She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’
Read in context