Jeremiah 2
1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Yehowa ƒe gbe va gbɔnye be,
2 Go, 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.
“Yi nàkui ɖe to me na Yerusalem be, “Ale Yehowa gblɔe nye si: “‘Meɖo ŋku wò ɖetugbime ƒe nuteƒewɔwɔ dzi, kple ale si nèlɔ̃mee esi nènye nye ŋugbetɔ. Èkplɔm ɖo to gbedadaƒo kple kuɖiɖinyigba dzi.
3 Israel 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.
Israel nɔ kɔkɔe na Yehowa, eƒe nukuwo ƒe ŋgɔgbetɔwo, ame siwo katã ʋuʋui la, dze agɔ eya ta dzɔgbevɔ̃e dzɔ ɖe wo dzi.’” Yehowae gblɔe.
4 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel;
Se Yehowa ƒe nya, O Yakob ƒe aƒe, mi Israel ƒe aƒe la ƒe towo katã.
5 Thus 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?
Ale Yehowa gblɔe nye si. “Vodada kae mia fofowo kpɔ le ŋunye be wotra ɖa tso gbɔnye nenema gbegbe? Wokplɔ legba maɖinuwo ɖo eye woawo ŋutɔ hã zu nu maɖinuwo.
6 Neither 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?'
Womebia be, ‘Afi ka Yehowa, ame si kplɔ mí tso Egipte, to dzogbe, afi si nuku mewɔna le o, to gbedadaƒo kple aganuwo, to kuɖiɖinyigba dzi kple viviti me, anyigba si dzi ame aɖeke metona alo tso aƒe ɖo o la le?’ o.
7 And 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.
Mekplɔ mi va anyigba si nyoa nu la dzi be miaɖu eƒe kutsetsewo kple eƒe nu nyuiwo, gake mieva do gu nye anyigba eye miewɔ nye domenyinu wòzu ŋunyɔnu.
8 The 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.
Nunɔlawo gɔ̃ hã mebia be, ‘Afi ka Yehowa le?’ o. Ame siwo wɔa sea ŋuti dɔ la menyam o. Kplɔlawo dze aglã ɖe ŋutinye. Nyagblɔɖilawo gblɔ nya ɖi le Baal ƒe ŋkɔ me eye wokplɔ legba maɖinuwo ɖo.”
9 Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
Yehowa be, “Eya ta megatsɔ nya ɖe mia ŋu, eye matsɔ nya ɖe mia viwo ƒe viwo ŋuti.
10 For 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.
Mitso ƒu ne miava Kiprotɔwo ƒe fukpo dzi ne miakpɔ nu. Midɔ ame ɖo ɖe Kedar ne woalé ŋku ɖe nuwo ŋu nyuie. Mikpɔe ɖa be nane nɔ anyi alea kpɔ hã.
11 Hath a nation changed its gods, which yet are no gods? But My people hath changed its glory for that which doth not profit.
Ɖe dukɔ aɖe ɖɔli eƒe mawuwo kpɔa? Evɔ menye mawuwoe wonye hafi o; gake nye dukɔ tsɔ woƒe ŋutikɔkɔe ɖɔli legba maɖinuwoe.
12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye exceeding amazed, saith the LORD.
O, dziƒowo, miaƒe nu neku le esia ta, eye miadzo nyanyanya kple ŋɔdzi gã.” Yehowae gblɔe.
13 For 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.
“Nye dukɔ wɔ nu vɔ̃ eve. Wogbe nu le nye agbetsivudo la gbɔ eye woɖe woawo ŋutɔ ƒe tsiʋewo, tsiʋe siwo ŋɔ eye tsi mate ŋu atɔ ɖe wo me o.
14 Is Israel a servant? Is he a home-born slave? Why is he become a prey?
Subɔvi alo kluvie Israel nye tso dzidzimea? Ke nu ka ta wòva zu nuhaha ɖo?
15 The 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.
Dzatawo ɖe gbe, wole gbe tem ɖe eŋu. Wowɔ eƒe anyigba wòzu gbegbe. Wotɔ dzo eƒe duwo eye wozu aƒedowo.
16 The children also of Noph and Tahpanhes feed upon the crown of thy head.
Memfistɔwo kple Tapanhestɔwo hã ƒlɔ dzodome na wo.
17 Is it not this that doth cause it unto thee, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when He led thee by the way?
Ɖe menye miawo ŋutɔe he esia va mia ɖokui dzii esi miegbe Yehowa, miaƒe Mawu la esi wòkplɔ mi le mɔ dzi oa?
18 And 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?
Azɔ nu ka ta miebe yewoayi ɖe Egipte, aɖano Sihor me tsi? Eye nu ka ta miayi Asiria be miano Frat tɔsisi me tsi?
19 Thine 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.
Miaƒe vɔ̃ɖivɔ̃ɖi ahe to na mi eye miaƒe megbedede aka mo na mi. Bu eŋu nàdze si ale si wòavɔ̃ɖi na wò, ahave wòe esi nègblẽ Yehowa, wò Mawu la ɖi, eye mèvɔ̃m o la ta.” Aƒetɔ Yehowa, Dziƒoʋakɔwo ƒe Aƒetɔ lae gblɔe.
20 For 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.
“Tso gbe aɖe gbe ke nèŋe wò kɔkuti, eye nètso wò bablawo, ègblɔ bena, ‘Nyemasubɔ wò o!’ Vavã, èmlɔ anyi abe gbolo ene ɖe togbɛ kɔkɔ ɖe sia ɖe dzi kple ati dama ɖe sia ɖe te.
21 Yet 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?
Medo wò abe wainti nyuitɔ si tso wainka vavã siwo tsena nyuie la dometɔ ɖeka ene. Ke nu ka ta nèwɔ ɖe ŋutinye alea hezu abe wainka si mie le eɖokui si la ene?
22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD.
Togbɔ be èle tsi kple adzalẽ eye nèle adzalẽ ʋeʋĩ geɖe hã la, wò nu vɔ̃ ƒe ɖiƒoƒo gale nye ŋkume kokoko.” Aƒetɔ Yehowae gblɔe.
23 How 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;
“Nu ka ta nàgblɔ be, ‘Nyemeɖu kɔ o, nyemeƒu du dze Baalwo yome o?’ Kpɔ ale si nèwɔ le balime la ɖa. Bu nu si nèwɔ la ŋu kpɔ. Èle abe kposɔnɔ si ɖia du eye wòle du sim tso afi yi afi mɛ la ene.
24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire; her lust, who can hinder it? All they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
Èle abe gbetedzi si nyagbegbe nyuie hele ya ʋẽm kple eƒe ŋɔti le eƒe fieŋufieŋu me la ene. Ne asiyɔyɔ le edzrom la, ame ka ate ŋu axe mɔ nɛ? Mehiã gɔ̃ hã be atsu siwo le eyome tim la nakplɔe ɖo ɖeɖi nate wo ŋuti o elabena ne eɖo asiyɔyɔ dzi la, woake ɖe eŋu bɔbɔe.
25 Withhold 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.'
Mègaƒu du va se ɖe esime wò afɔwo natsi ƒuƒlu, eye wò ve me naƒu kplakplakpla o. Gake, ègblɔ be, ‘Mehiã o; melɔ̃ dutamawuwo eya ta ele nam be mati wo yome.’
26 As 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;
“Abe ale si ŋu kpea fiafitɔ ne asi su edzi ene la, nenema ke ŋu akpe Israel ƒe aƒe la, woƒe fiawo, woƒe dumegãwo, woƒe nunɔlawo kple woƒe nyagblɔɖilawo.
27 Who 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.'
Wogblɔna na ati be, ‘Wòe nye fofonye.’ Wogblɔna na kpe be, ‘Wòe dzim.’ Wotrɔ woƒe megbe dem ke menye woƒe ŋkume o, gake ne woɖo xaxa me la, wogblɔna be, ‘Va, nàɖe mí!’
28 But 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.
Ekema afi ka gɔ̃e mawu siwo miewɔ na mia ɖokuiwo la le? Woneva ne woate ŋu aɖe mi, ne mieɖo xaxa me! O Yuda, wò mawuwo sɔ gbɔ abe wò duwo ene.”
29 Wherefore will ye contend with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, saith the LORD.
Yehowa be, “Nu ka ta mietsɔ nya ɖe ŋutinye ɖo?” Evɔ mi katã miedze aglã ɖe ŋutinye.
30 In vain have I smitten your children — they received no correction; your sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
“Dzodzroe mehe to na wò amewo, elabena mehe ɖɔɖɔɖo aɖeke va woƒe agbe mee o. Wò yi vuvu wò nyagblɔɖilawo abe dzata dɔwui ene.
31 O 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'?
“O dzidzime sia, mibu Yehowa ƒe nya ŋu. “Gbegbee menye na Israel loo alo viviti tsiɖitsiɖi ƒe anyigba? Nu ka ta nye dukɔ le gbɔgblɔm be, ‘Ablɔɖe le mía si be míatsa eya ta miagatrɔ ava gbɔwò o?’
32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.
Ɖe ɖetugbi aŋlɔ eƒe atsyɔ̃ɖonuwo be alo ŋugbetɔ naŋlɔ eƒe lekewɔnuwo bea? Gake nye dukɔ ŋlɔm be hena ɣeyiɣi didi aɖe.
33 How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! Therefore — even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways;
Aleke nèhenya ahiãdidii! Nyɔnu siwo bi ɖe ŋunyɔnuwo wɔwɔ me hã ate ŋu asrɔ̃ nu tso gbɔwò.
34 Also 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
Amewo kpɔ ame maɖifɔ dahewo ƒe ʋu le wò awuwo me, evɔ mèlé wo wonɔ ʋɔ gbãm hafi o, gake le esiawo katã megbe hã la,
35 Thou 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.'
ègblɔ be, ‘Nyemeɖi fɔ o. Mekpɔ dziku ɖe ŋutinye o.’ Ke madrɔ̃ ʋɔnu wò elabena ègblɔ be, ‘Nyemewɔ nu vɔ̃ o.’
36 How greatly dost thou cheapen thyself to change thy way? Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, as thou wast ashamed of Asshur.
Nu ka ta nèle yiyim nenema gbegbe le wò mɔwo trɔm? Egipte ana ŋu nakpe wò abe ale si Asiria hã na ŋu kpe wò ene.
37 From 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.
Àtsɔ asi akpla ta hafi adzo le teƒe ma hã elabena Yehowa gbe nu le ame siwo dzi nèka ɖo la gbɔ. Eya ta womakpe ɖe ŋuwò o.
