Passage Viewer

A Love Story

The word of the Lord came to me in these words:

“Son of man, make known to Jerusalem its sins.

You say on my behalf: Your beginning was in Canaan; there you were born. Your father was an Amorite, and your mother was a Hittite.

When you were born, your cord was not cut; you were not bathed in water to make you clean; you were not rubbed with salt, nor were you wrapped in cloth.

There was no one to look at you with pity; no one compassionate enough to give you any of these cares. You were left exposed in the open fields because you were seen with disgust on the day you were born.

But I passed by and saw you, immersed in your blood. I said to you, in the midst of your blood, “Live!”

I made you grow like a plant in the field.

You grew up, became tall, and was coming of marriageable age. Your breasts were formed and your hair had grown, but you were naked and exposed. Later, I passed by and saw you at the age of love; I spread part of my garment over you to cover your nudity. I made a covenant with you with an oath—word of the Lord—and you were mine.

Then I bathed you in water;I cleansed you of your blood and anointed you with oil.

I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put soft leather sandals on your feet. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with silk.

I adorned you with jewelry, putting bracelets on your arms, a necklace around your neck

and a ring in your nose.

I gave you earrings and a magnificent crown for your head. You were adorned with gold and silver; your clothing was fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth. You were fed on the finest flour, honey, and oil; you became very beautiful and rose to be queen.

Your beauty was perfect; and your renown spread through the nations because of the splendorI had given you—word of the Lord.

But you relied on your beauty; you trusted in your fame; and you began to give yourself to every passerby, like a prostitute.

But I will remember my Covenant with you in the days of your youth and will establish an everlasting Covenant in your favor.

Then you will remember, feel ashamed, and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, when I have forgiven you for all you have done,” says the Lord.