Baruch 2

1 So the Lord carried out the word he spoke against us, against the judges who judged Israel, against our kings and rulers, and against the people of Israel and Judah. 2 Nothing has been done under all heaven like what he did in Jerusalem, according to what was written in the law of Moses: 3 a man would eat the flesh of his own son and of his own daughter. 4 He handed them over in subjection to every kingdom around us, and made them a disgrace and a wasteland among all the surrounding peoples where the Lord scattered them. 5 We were brought down instead of lifted up, because we sinned against the Lord our God and did not obey his voice.

6 Righteousness belongs to the Lord our God, but open shame belongs to us and our fathers today. 7 All these disasters the Lord spoke against us have come on us. 8 Yet we have not prayed before the Lord so that each of us might turn away from the thoughts of our wicked hearts. 9 So the Lord watched over us for harm and brought it on us, because the Lord is righteous in all the works he commanded us to do. 10 Still we did not listen to his voice or walk in the decrees the Lord set before us.

11 And now, Lord God of Israel, you brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and uplifted arm, with signs, wonders, and great power, and made a name for yourself that remains to this day. 12 Lord our God, we have sinned, acted ungodly, and done wrong against all your rules. 13 Let your anger turn away from us, for only a few of us are left among the nations where you scattered us. 14 Hear our prayers and requests, Lord. Rescue us for your own sake, and give us favor before those who led us away, 15 so that all the earth may know that you are the Lord our God, because Israel and his descendants are called by your name.

16 Lord, look down from your holy house and consider us. Bend your ear and hear us, Lord. 17 Open your eyes and see. The dead in Hades, whose spirits have been taken from their bodies, will not give glory and righteousness to the Lord. 18 But a deeply troubled soul, walking stooped and weak, with failing eyes and hunger, will give you glory and righteousness, Lord. 19 Lord our God, we do not bring our plea for mercy before you by relying on the righteousness of our fathers or our kings. 20 For you sent your anger and indignation on us, as you spoke through your servants the prophets:

21 This is what the Lord says: “Bow your shoulders and serve the king of Babylon; and stay in the land I gave your fathers. 22 But if you do not listen to the voice of the Lord and serve the king of Babylon, 23 I will silence in the cities of Judah and outside Jerusalem the voice of gladness and the voice of joy, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. The whole land will become a wasteland, empty of inhabitants.”

24 But we did not listen to your voice and serve the king of Babylon. So you carried out the words you spoke through your servants the prophets: the bones of our kings and our fathers would be taken from their places. 25 Now they lie exposed to the heat of day and the frost of night. They died in terrible suffering from famine, sword, and exile. 26 You laid waste the house called by your name, as can be seen today, because of the wickedness of the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 27 Lord our God, you have dealt with us according to all your gentleness and your great pity, 28 as you spoke through your servant Moses when you commanded him to write the law before the children of Israel:

29 “If you will not listen to my voice, this very great multitude will surely become a small number among the nations where I scatter them. 30 I knew they would not listen to me, because they are a stiff-necked people. But in the land of their exile they will come to their senses. 31 They will know that I am the Lord their God, and I will give them a heart and ears that listen. 32 They will praise me in the land of their exile and remember my name. 33 They will turn away from their stiff necks and wicked deeds, because they will remember the way of their fathers, who sinned before the Lord. 34 I will bring them back to the land I promised with an oath to their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They will take possession of it. I will increase them, and they will not diminish. 35 I will make an everlasting covenant with them, to be their God, and they will be my people. I will never again drive my people Israel out of the land I have given them.”