\id JER - Christian Standard Bible® in English
\ide UTF-8
\rem Copyright © 2017-2020 by Holman Bible Publishers
\rem Language: English
\rem Text update February 2024
\toc3 Jr
\toc2 Jeremiah
\toc1 Jeremiah
\mt Jeremiah
\c 1
\m
\v 1 The words of Jeremiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt 2Ch 35:25; 36:12; Ezr 1:1; Dn 9:2; Mt 2:17; 16:14; 27:9\+xt*\f* the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests living in Anathoth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt Jos 21:18; 1Kg 2:26; Jr 32:7\+xt*\f* in the territory of Benjamin.
\v 2 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:2 \ft \+xt 2Kg 21:24; 22:1; Jr 25:3; 36:2; Zph 1:1\+xt*\f* son of Amon, king of Judah.
\v 3 It also came throughout the days of Jehoiakim~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:34; 24:2; 1Ch 3:15; Jr 22:18; 25:1; 35:1\+xt*\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:17–20; 1Ch 3:16; Jr 21:1; 27:1; 39:2\+xt*\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.
\s1 The Call of Jeremiah
\m
\v 4 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me:
\q1
\v 5 I chose you before~I~formed~you in~the~womb;
\q I set you apart before~you~were~born.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:5 \ft \+xt 1Sm 1:22; Ps 22:9–10; 139:13–16; Is 44:2; 49:1–6; Lk 1:15; Gl 1:15\+xt*\f*
\q I appointed you a~prophet to~the~nations.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:5 \ft \+xt Jr 25:15–26\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 6 But I protested, “Oh no, Lord \nd God\nd*! Look, I don’t know how to speak~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:6 \ft \+xt Ex 4:10; 1Co 2:1–5\+xt*\f* since I am only a youth.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:6 \ft \+xt 1Kg 3:7\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 7 Then the \nd Lord\nd* said to me:
\q Do not say, “I am only a~youth,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:7 \ft \+xt 1Tm 4:12\+xt*\f*
\q for you will go to~everyone I~send~you~to
\q and speak whatever~I~tell~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:7 \ft \+xt Dt 18:18; Jr 1:17; Ezk 2:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Do not be~afraid of~anyone,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:8 \ft \+xt Ezk 2:6\+xt*\f*
\q for I will be with~you to~rescue~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:8 \ft \+xt Gn 26:3; 31:3; Ex 3:12; Is 43:2; Jr 15:20\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\p
\v 9 Then the \nd Lord\nd* reached out his hand, touched my mouth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:9 \ft \+xt Is 6:7\+xt*\f* and told me:
\q I have now filled your~mouth with~my~words.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:9 \ft \+xt Is 51:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 See, I have appointed~you~today
\q over nations and~kingdoms
\q to uproot and~tear~down,
\q to destroy and~demolish,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:10 \ft \+xt 2Co 10:4–5\+xt*\f*
\q to build and~plant.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:10 \ft \+xt Jr 12:14–17; 18:7,9; 19:7; 24:6; 31:28; Col 2:6–7\+xt*\f*
\s1 Two Visions
\m
\v 11 Then the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:11 \ft \+xt Jr 24:3; Am 8:2; Zch 4:2\+xt*\f*
\p I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”
\p
\v 12 The \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 1:12 \ft In Hb, the word for \fqa almond tree \ft sounds like the word for \fqa watch over\f* my word to accomplish it.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:12 \ft \+xt Jr 31:28; Php 1:6\+xt*\f*
\v 13 Again the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me asking, “What do you see?~”
\p And I replied, “I see a boiling pot,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:13 \ft \+xt Ezk 24:3\+xt*\f* its lip tilted from the north to the south.”
\p
\v 14 Then the \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “Disaster will be poured out~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 1:14 \ft LXX reads \fqa will boil\f* from the north~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:14 \ft \+xt Jr 4:6,20; 6:1; 15:12; 47:2; 50:3,9,41; 51:48\+xt*\f* on all who live in the land.
\v 15 Indeed, I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:15 \ft \+xt Jr 25:9\+xt*\f*
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\q They will come, and~each~king will~set~up his~throne
\q at the entrance to~Jerusalem’s~gates.
\q They will attack all~her~surrounding~walls
\q and all the~other~cities of~Judah.
\m
\v 16 “I will pronounce my judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:16 \ft \+xt Ex 20:3; Is 37:19; 44:15; Ac 7:41\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 17 “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:17 \ft \+xt Ezk 2:6–7; 1Th 2:2\+xt*\f* or I will cause you to cower before them.
\v 18 Today, I am the one who has made you a fortified city,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:18–19 \ft \+xt Jr 15:20\+xt*\f* an iron pillar, and bronze walls~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:18 \ft \+xt Jr 6:27; Ezk 3:8–9\+xt*\f* against the whole land~#—~#against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population.
\v 19 They will fight against you but never prevail over you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:19 \ft \+xt Ps 129:2\+xt*\f* since I am with you to rescue you.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:19 \ft \+xt Jr 1:6\+xt*\f*
\qm This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\c 2
\s1 Israel Accused of Apostasy
\m
\v 1 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me:
\v 2 “Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q I remember the~loyalty of~your~youth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:2 \ft \+xt Ezk 16:8,60; Hs 2:15; Rv 2:4\+xt*\f*
\q your love as~a~bride~—
\q how you followed me in~the~wilderness,
\q in a land not sown.
\q1
\v 3 Israel was holy to~the~\nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:3 \ft \+xt Dt 7:6\+xt*\f*
\q the firstfruits of~his~harvest.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:3 \ft \+xt Jms 1:18\+xt*\f*
\q All who ate of~it found themselves~guilty;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:3 \ft \+xt Gn 12:3; Ps 105:14–15; Is 41:11\+xt*\f*
\q disaster came on~them.”
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 4 Hear the word of~the~\nd Lord\nd*, house~of~Jacob
\q and all families of~the~house of~Israel.
\q1
\v 5 This is what~the~\nd Lord\nd*~says:
\b
\q What fault did your~ancestors find in~me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:5 \ft \+xt Is 5:4; Mc 6:3\+xt*\f*
\q that they went so~far from~me,
\q followed worthless idols,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:5 \ft \+xt 2Kg 17:15; Jr 2:25; Hs 2:5\+xt*\f*
\q and became worthless themselves?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:5 \ft \+xt Ps 115:8; Hs 9:10; Rm 1:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 They stopped asking, “Where~is the~\nd Lord\nd*~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:6 \ft \+xt Jdg 6:13; Jb 35:10\+xt*\f*
\q who brought us from~the~land of~Egypt,
\q who led us through~the~wilderness,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:6 \ft \+xt Dt 8:15; 32:10\+xt*\f*
\q through a land of~deserts and~ravines,
\q through a land of~drought and~darkness,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:6 \ft Or \fqa shadow of death\f*
\q a land no~one traveled~through
\q and where no~one~lived?~”
\q1
\v 7 I brought you to a~fertile~land~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:7 \ft \+xt Ex 3:8; Dt 8:7–10; Jr 4:26\+xt*\f*
\q to eat its fruit and~bounty,
\q but after you~entered, you~defiled my~land;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:7 \ft \+xt Nm 35:33; Ezk 36:17\+xt*\f*
\q you made my~inheritance~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:7 \ft \+xt Jr 16:18\+xt*\f*~detestable.
\q1
\v 8 The priests quit~asking, “Where~is the~\nd Lord\nd*?~”
\q The experts in~the~law no~longer knew~me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:8 \ft \+xt Hs 4:6; Mal 2:7; Lk 11:52\+xt*\f*
\q and the rulers~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:8 \ft \+xt Jr 23:1–4; Ezk 34\+xt*\f* rebelled against~me.
\q The prophets prophesied by~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 2:8 \ft = in the name of\f*~Baal~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:8 \ft \+xt Jr 2:23; 9:14\+xt*\f*
\q and followed useless~idols.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:8 \ft \+xt Hab 2:8\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 9 Therefore, I will bring a~case against~you~again.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q I will bring a~case against~your~children’s~children.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:9 \ft \+xt Ex 20:5; Is 3:13; Mc 6:1–8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 Cross over to~the~coasts~of~Cyprus~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:10 \ft Lit \fqa to the islands of Kittim\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:10 \ft \+xt Gn 10:4; Nm 24:24; Is 23:1,12; Am 6:2; Ac 13:4\+xt*\f* and~take a~look.
\q Send someone to~Kedar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:10 \ft \+xt Ps 120:5\+xt*\f* and~consider~carefully;
\q see if there has~ever~been anything~like~this:
\q1
\v 11 Has a nation ever~exchanged its~gods?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:11 \ft \+xt Mc 4:5\+xt*\f*
\q (But they were not gods!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:11 \ft \+xt Jr 16:20; Gl 4:8\+xt*\f*)
\q Yet my people have~exchanged their~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 2:11 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa my\f*~Glory
\q for useless~idols.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:11 \ft \+xt Ps 106:20; Hs 4:7; Rm 1:23; 1Pt 1:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 Be appalled at~this,~heavens;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:12 \ft \+xt Dt 32:1; Is 1:2; Mc 6:1\+xt*\f*
\q be shocked and~utterly~desolated!
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 13 For my people have~committed a~double~evil:
\q They have abandoned me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:13 \ft \+xt Jdg 10:13\+xt*\f*
\q the fountain of~living~water,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:13 \ft \+xt Ps 36:9; Jr 17:13; Jn 4:10\+xt*\f*
\q and dug cisterns for~themselves~#—~#
\q cracked cisterns that~cannot hold~water.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:13 \ft \+xt Is 55:2; Gl 1:6–7\+xt*\f*
\s1 Consequences of Apostasy
\q1
\v 14 Is Israel a~slave?
\q Was he born into~slavery?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:14 \ft Lit \fqa born of a house\f*
\q Why else has~he~become a~prey?
\q1
\v 15 The young lions have~roared at~him;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:15 \ft \+xt Is 5:29\+xt*\f*
\q they have roared loudly.
\q They have laid~waste his~land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:15 \ft \+xt Is 1:7\+xt*\f*
\q His cities are in~ruins, without~inhabitants.
\q1
\v 16 The men of~Memphis and~Tahpanhes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:16 \ft \+xt Jr 44:1; 46:14,19; Ezk 30:13,16,18\+xt*\f*
\q have also broken your~skull.
\q1
\v 17 Have you not brought~this on~yourself~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:17 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18\+xt*\f*
\q by abandoning the~\nd Lord\nd* your~God
\q while he was leading~you along~the~way?
\q1
\v 18 Now what will you~gain
\q by traveling along~the~way to~Egypt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:18 \ft \+xt Is 30:1–2; 31:1\+xt*\f*
\q to drink the water of~the~Nile?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:18 \ft Lit \fqa of Shihor\f*
\q What will you~gain
\q by traveling along~the~way to~Assyria~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:18 \ft \+xt Hs 7:11\+xt*\f*
\q to drink the~water of~the~Euphrates?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:18 \ft \+xt Is 8:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Your own evil will~discipline~you;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:19 \ft \+xt Is 3:9; Hs 5:5\+xt*\f*
\q your own apostasies will~reprimand~you.
\q Recognize~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:19 \ft Lit \fqa Know and see\f* how~evil and~bitter~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:19 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18\+xt*\f* it~is
\q for you to~abandon the~\nd Lord\nd* your~God
\q and to have no~fear of~me.
\qm This~is the~declaration
\qm of~the~Lord \nd God\nd* of~Armies.
\b
\q1
\v 20 For long ago I~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 2:20 \ft LXX reads \fqa you\f*~broke your~yoke;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:20 \ft \+xt Lv 26:13; Is 10:27; Nah 1:13\+xt*\f*
\q I~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 2:20 \ft LXX reads \fqa you\f* tore off your~chains.
\q You insisted, “I~will~not~serve!~”
\q On every high~hill
\q and under every green~tree~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:20 \ft \+xt Dt 12:2; 1Kg 14:23; 2Kg 17:10; Is 57:5; Jr 3:6; Ezk 6:13; Hs 4:13\+xt*\f*
\q you lay down like~a~prostitute.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:20 \ft \+xt Ezk 16:28; Hs 2:5\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 21 I planted you, a~choice~vine~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:21 \ft \+xt Gn 49:11; Ps 80:8; Is 5:2\+xt*\f*
\q from the very best seed.
\q How then could~you~turn~into
\q a degenerate, foreign~vine?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:21 \ft \+xt Is 5:4\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 22 Even if you wash with~lye
\q and use a~great~amount of~bleach,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:22 \ft Lit \fqa cleansing agent\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:22 \ft \+xt Ps 51:2,7; Mal 3:2; Eph 5:26\+xt*\f*
\q the stain of your~iniquity is~still in~front~of~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:22 \ft \+xt Ps 90:8\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~Lord \nd God\nd*’s declaration.
\q1
\v 23 How can you~protest, “I~am not~defiled;
\q I have not followed the~Baals”?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:23 \ft \+xt Jr 2:8; 9:14\+xt*\f*
\q Look at your behavior in~the~valley;
\q acknowledge what~you~have~done.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:23 \ft \+xt Gn 3:13; 1Sm 15:13; Pr 28:13; Jr 3:13; 1Jn 1:8\+xt*\f*
\q You are a~swift~young~camel
\q twisting and~turning on~her~way,
\q1
\v 24 a wild donkey~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:24 \ft \+xt Jb 39:5; Hs 8:9\+xt*\f* at~home~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:24 \ft Lit \fqa donkey taught\f* in~the~wilderness.
\q She sniffs the~wind in~the~heat of~her~desire.
\q Who can control her~passion?
\q All who look for~her will~not become~weary;
\q they will find her in~her~mating~season.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:24 \ft Lit \fqa her month\f*
\q1
\v 25 Keep your feet from~going~bare
\q and your throat from~thirst.
\q But you say, “It’s~hopeless;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:25 \ft \+xt Jr 18:12\+xt*\f*
\q I love strangers,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:25 \ft \+xt Dt 32:16; Jr 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q and I will continue to~follow~them.”
\b
\q1
\v 26 Like the shame of~a~thief when~he~is~caught,
\q so the house of~Israel has~been put~to~shame.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:26 \ft \+xt Jr 2:36; 6:15; 8:9,12; Rm 6:21\+xt*\f*
\q They, their~kings, their~officials,
\q their priests, and~their~prophets~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:26 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 say to a tree, “You~are my~father,”
\q and to a stone, “You~gave~birth to~me.”
\q For they have turned~their~back to~me
\q and not their~face,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:27 \ft \+xt 2Ch 29:6; Jr 18:17; 32:33; Ezk 8:16\+xt*\f*
\q yet in their time of~disaster~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:27 \ft \+xt Jdg 10:9–10; Is 26:16\+xt*\f* they~beg,
\q “Rise up and~save~us!~”
\q1
\v 28 But where are your~gods you~made for~yourself?
\q Let them rise up and~save~you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:28 \ft \+xt Dt 32:37–38; Jdg 10:14; Is 45:20\+xt*\f*
\q in your time of~disaster if~they~can,
\q for your gods are as~numerous as~your~cities,~Judah.
\s1 Judgment Deserved
\q1
\v 29 Why do you bring a~case against~me?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:29 \ft \+xt Jr 2:9\+xt*\f*
\q All of you have~rebelled against~me.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 30 I have struck down your~children in~vain;
\q they would not accept~discipline.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:30 \ft \+xt Pr 3:11; Is 1:5; 9:13; Jr 5:3; 17:23; 32:33; Am 4:10\+xt*\f*
\q Your own sword has~devoured your~prophets~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:30 \ft \+xt Mt 23:34\+xt*\f*
\q like a ravaging lion.
\q1
\v 31 Evil generation,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:31 \ft \+xt Dt 1:35; Mt 12:45; Lk 11:29\+xt*\f*
\q pay attention to~the~word of~the~\nd Lord\nd*!
\q Have I been a~wilderness to~Israel
\q or a land of~dense~darkness?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:31 \ft \+xt Jr 50:12; Hs 2:3\+xt*\f*
\q Why do my~people~claim,
\q “We will go where~we~want;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:31 \ft Or \fqa “We have taken control\ft , or \fqa “We can roam\f*
\q we will no longer come to~you”?
\q1
\v 32 Can a young woman forget her~jewelry~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:32 \ft \+xt Is 61:10\+xt*\f*
\q or a bride her~wedding~sash?
\q Yet my people have~forgotten~me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:32 \ft \+xt Ps 106:21; Jr 13:25; 18:15; Ezk 22:12; 23:35; Hs 8:14\+xt*\f*
\q for countless days.
\q1
\v 33 How skillfully you~pursue~love;
\q you also teach evil~women your~ways.
\q1
\v 34 Moreover, your skirts are~stained
\q with the blood of~the~innocent~poor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:34 \ft \+xt 2Kg 21:16; 24:4; Ps 106:38; Jr 19:4; 22:3,17\+xt*\f*
\q You did not catch them breaking and~entering.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:34 \ft \+xt Ex 22:2\+xt*\f*
\q But in spite of all~these~things
\q1
\v 35 you claim, “I~am~innocent.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:35 \ft \+xt Jb 33:9\+xt*\f*
\q His anger is sure to~turn~away from~me.”
\q But I will certainly judge~you
\q because you have said, “I~have not~sinned.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:35 \ft \+xt Pr 28:13; 1Jn 1:8,10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 36 How unstable you are,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:36 \ft \+xt Jms 1:8\+xt*\f*
\q constantly changing your~ways!
\q You will be put~to~shame by~Egypt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:36 \ft \+xt Is 30:3\+xt*\f*
\q just as you were put~to~shame by~Assyria.
\q1
\v 37 Moreover, you will be led~out from~here
\q with your hands on~your~head~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:37 \ft \+xt 2Sm 13:19\+xt*\f*
\q since the \nd Lord\nd* has~rejected those~you~trust;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:37 \ft \+xt 1Sm 15:23,26; 2Kg 17:20; Jr 7:29\+xt*\f*
\q you will not succeed even~with their~help.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:37 \ft Lit \fqa with them\f*
\c 3
\s1 Wages of Apostasy
\q1
\v 1 If~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 3:1 \ft One Hb ms, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read \fqa Saying: If\f* a man divorces his~wife
\q and she leaves him to~marry~another,
\q can he ever return to~her?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:1 \ft \+xt Dt 24:1–4\+xt*\f*
\q Wouldn’t such~a~land~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 3:1 \ft LXX reads \fqa woman\f* become totally~defiled?
\q But you!
\q You~have~prostituted yourself with~many~partners~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:1 \ft \+xt Ezk 16:26,28\+xt*\f*~—
\q can you return to~me?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:1 \ft \+xt Hs 2:7\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 2 Look to the~barren~heights~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:2 \ft \+xt Dt 12:2; Ezk 16:52\+xt*\f* and~see.
\q Where have you not been~immoral?
\q You sat waiting for~them beside~the~highways~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:2 \ft \+xt Gn 38:14; Pr 7:10–12; Ezk 16:25\+xt*\f*
\q like a nomad in~the~desert.
\q You have defiled the~land
\q with your prostitution and~wickedness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:2 \ft \+xt Nm 14:33\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 This is why the~showers haven’t~come~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:3 \ft \+xt Zch 14:7\+xt*\f*~—
\q why there has been no~spring~rain.
\q You have the~brazen~look~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:3 \ft \+xt Ezk 3:7–8\+xt*\f* of~a~prostitute~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:3 \ft Lit \fqa have a prostitute’s forehead\f*
\q and refuse to~be~ashamed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:3 \ft \+xt Jr 6:15; 8:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Haven’t you recently called~to~me, “My~Father!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:4 \ft \+xt Ex 4:22; Is 1:2; 64:8; Hs 11:1; Gl 4:6\+xt*\f*
\q You were my friend in~my~youth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:4 \ft \+xt Ps 71:17; Hs 2:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Will he bear a~grudge~forever?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:5 \ft \+xt Lv 19:18; Ps 103:9; Is 57:16; Nah 1:2\+xt*\f*
\q Will he be endlessly~infuriated?~”
\q This is what you have~said,
\q but you have done the~evil~things
\q you are capable~of.
\s1 Unfaithful Israel, Treacherous Judah
\m
\v 6 In the days of King Josiah the \nd Lord\nd* asked me, “Have you seen what unfaithful Israel has done? She has ascended every high hill and gone under every green tree to prostitute herself there.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:6 \ft \+xt Jr 2:20\+xt*\f*
\v 7 I thought, ‘After she has done all these things, she will return to me.’ \f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:7 \ft \+xt Hs 14:1\+xt*\f* But she didn’t return, and her treacherous sister Judah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:7 \ft \+xt Ezk 16:46\+xt*\f* saw it.
\v 8 I~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 3:8 \ft One Hb ms, Syr read \fqa She\f* observed that it was because unfaithful Israel had committed adultery that I had sent her away and had given her a certificate of divorce.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:8 \ft \+xt Dt 24:1–4; Is 50:1; Hs 2:2\+xt*\f* Nevertheless, her treacherous sister Judah was not afraid but also went and prostituted herself.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:8 \ft \+xt Ezk 23:11\+xt*\f*
\v 9 Indifferent to~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:9 \ft Lit \fqa From the lightness of\f* her prostitution, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:9 \ft \+xt Is 57:6\+xt*\f* and trees.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:9 \ft \+xt Dt 28:36; Jr 2:27; Ezk 20:32; Hab 2:19; Rv 9:20\+xt*\f*
\v 10 Yet in spite of all this, her treacherous sister Judah didn’t return to me with all her heart~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:10 \ft \+xt Hs 7:14\+xt*\f*~#—~#only in pretense.”
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\p
\v 11 The \nd Lord\nd* announced to me, “Unfaithful Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:11 \ft \+xt Ezk 16:51–52; 23:11\+xt*\f*
\v 12 Go, proclaim these words to the north, and say,
\q ‘Return, unfaithful~Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:12 \ft \+xt Pr 28:13\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q I will not look on~you with~anger,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:12 \ft Lit \fqa not cause my face to fall on you\f*
\q for I am unfailing in~my~love.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:12 \ft \+xt Ps 86:5; 145:17\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q I will not be~angry~forever.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:12 \ft \+xt Ps 103:9; Is 57:16; Mc 7:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Only acknowledge your~guilt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:13 \ft \+xt Lv 26:40; 1Jn 1:9\+xt*\f*~—
\q you have rebelled against~the~\nd Lord\nd* your~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:13 \ft \+xt 2Kg 18:20; Is 36:5; Jr 2:29\+xt*\f*
\q You have scattered your~favors to~strangers
\q under every green~tree~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:13 \ft \+xt Dt 12:2; 2Kg 16:4; 2Ch 28:4; Is 57:5; Jr 2:20; 3:6,13; Ezk 20:47\+xt*\f*
\q and have not obeyed me.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\p
\v 14 “~‘Return, you faithless children~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:14 \ft \+xt Hs 14:1\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#for I am your master,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:14 \ft Or \fqa husband\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:14 \ft \+xt Hs 2:16–17\+xt*\f* and I will take you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:14 \ft \+xt Hs 2:19–20\+xt*\f* one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
\v 15 I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:15 \ft Lit \fqa shepherds according to my heart\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:15 \ft \+xt 1Sm 13:14; Jr 23:4; Ezk 34:23; Ac 20:28; Eph 4:11\+xt*\f* and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.
\v 16 When you multiply and increase in the land,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:16 \ft \+xt Gn 1:28; Ex 1:12\+xt*\f* in those days~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#no one will say again, “The ark of the \nd Lord\nd*’s covenant.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:16 \ft \+xt Ex 37:1–9; Dt 31:24–29; 1Kg 8:6\+xt*\f* It will never come to mind, and no one will remember or miss it. Another one will not be made.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:16 \ft Or \fqa It will no longer be done\f*
\v 17 At that time Jerusalem will be called The \nd Lord\nd*’s Throne,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:17 \ft \+xt Ezk 43:7; Rv 22:1,3\+xt*\f* and all the nations will be gathered to it,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:17 \ft \+xt Is 2:2–4; 43:9; 56:6–7; 66:18; Jr 16:19\+xt*\f* to the name of the \nd Lord\nd* in Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:17 \ft \+xt Dt 12:5\+xt*\f* They will cease to follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
\v 18 In those days the house of Judah will join with the house of Israel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:18 \ft \+xt Is 11:12–13; Jr 50:4–5; Ezk 37:15–22; Hs 11:1\+xt*\f* and they will come together from the land of the north to the land I have given your ancestors to inherit.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:18 \ft \+xt Am 9:15\+xt*\f*
\s1 True Repentance
\q1
\v 19 I thought, “How I long to~make~you my~sons
\q and give you a~desirable~land,
\q the most beautiful inheritance~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:19 \ft \+xt Dt 32:8–9; Ps 16:6; Lm 2:15; Ezk 20:6,15\+xt*\f* of~all the~nations.”
\q I thought, “You~will~call~me ‘My~Father’
\q and never turn away from~me.”
\q1
\v 20 However, as a woman may~betray her~lover,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:20 \ft Lit \fqa friend\f*
\q so you have betrayed~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:20 \ft \+xt Ex 21:8–9; Is 48:8; Hs 1:2; 5:7; 6:7\+xt*\f* me, house~of~Israel.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 21 A sound is heard on~the~barren~heights:
\q the children of~Israel weeping and~begging for~mercy,
\q for they have~perverted their~way;
\q they have forgotten the~\nd Lord\nd* their~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:21 \ft \+xt Is 17:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 Return, you~faithless~children.
\q I will heal your~unfaithfulness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:22 \ft \+xt Is 57:18; Hs 5:15–6:3; 14:1–3\+xt*\f*
\q “Here we are, coming~to~you,
\q for you are the~\nd Lord\nd* our~God.
\q1
\v 23 Surely, falsehood comes from~the~hills,
\q commotion from~the~mountains,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:23 \ft \+xt Ps 121:1–2\+xt*\f*
\q but the salvation of~Israel
\q is only in the~\nd Lord\nd* our~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:23 \ft \+xt Ps 3:8; Jr 17:5–8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 From the time of~our~youth
\q the shameful one~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 3:24 \ft = Baal\f* has~consumed
\q what our~ancestors have~worked~for~—
\q their flocks and~their~herds,
\q their sons and~their~daughters.
\q1
\v 25 Let us lie down in~our~shame;
\q let our disgrace cover~us.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:25 \ft \+xt Jb 8:22; Ezr 9:6\+xt*\f*
\q We have sinned against~the~\nd Lord\nd* our~God,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:25 \ft \+xt Is 64:5; Jr 8:14; 14:7,20; Lm 3:42; 5:16; Dn 9:5\+xt*\f*
\q both we and~our~ancestors,
\q from the time of~our~youth even~to~this~day.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:25 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:7; Ezk 2:3\+xt*\f*
\q We have not obeyed the~\nd Lord\nd* our~God.”
\c 4
\s1 Blessing or Curse
\q1
\v 1 If you return,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:1 \ft Or \fqa Repent\f* Israel~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q you will return to~me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:1 \ft \+xt Zch 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q if you remove your~abhorrent~idols~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:1 \ft \+xt Jr 7:30; 16:18; 32:34\+xt*\f*
\q from~my~presence
\q and do not waver,
\q1
\v 2 then you can swear, “As~the~\nd Lord\nd*~lives,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft \+xt Dt 6:13; 10:20; Jr 5:2\+xt*\f*
\q in truth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft \+xt Is 65:16\+xt*\f* justice, and~righteousness,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft \+xt Hs 2:19\+xt*\f*
\q and then the nations will~be~blessed~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft Or \fqa will bless one another\f* by~him~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft \+xt Gn 26:3–4\+xt*\f*
\q and will boast in~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft \+xt Gn 12:1–3; 18:18; 22:18; 1Co 1:31\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 3 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem:
\q Break up the~unplowed~ground;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:3 \ft \+xt Hs 10:12\+xt*\f*
\q do not sow among~the~thorns.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:3 \ft \+xt Mt 13:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Circumcise yourselves to~the~\nd Lord\nd*;
\q remove the foreskin of~your~hearts,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:4 \ft \+xt Gn 17:14; Dt 10:16; Jr 9:25; Rm 2:28–29\+xt*\f*
\q men of Judah and~residents of~Jerusalem.
\q Otherwise, my wrath will~break~out like~fire
\q and burn with no one to~extinguish~it~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:4 \ft \+xt Is 1:31; Jr 21:12; Am 5:6; Mal 4:1\+xt*\f*
\q because of your~evil~deeds.
\s1 Judgment from the North
\m
\v 5 Declare in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say,
\q Blow the ram’s horn throughout~the~land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:5 \ft \+xt Jr 6:1; Hs 5:8; Jl 2:1; 1Th 4:16–17\+xt*\f*
\q Cry out loudly and~say,
\q “Assemble yourselves,
\q and~let’s~flee to~the~fortified~cities.”
\q1
\v 6 Lift up a~signal~flag toward~Zion.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:6 \ft \+xt Is 62:10\+xt*\f*
\q Run for cover! Don’t~stand~still!
\q For I am bringing disaster from~the~north~—
\q a crushing blow.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:6 \ft \+xt Is 14:31; 41:25; Jr 1:13; 4:20; 6:1; 15:12; 47:2; 50:3,9,41; 51:48; Ezk 26:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 A lion has gone up from~his~thicket;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:7 \ft \+xt Ps 10:9; 17:12; Is 5:29; Jr 2:15; 5:6; 25:38; 49:19; 50:17,44\+xt*\f*
\q a destroyer of~nations has~set~out.
\q He has left his~lair
\q to make your~land a~waste.
\q Your cities will~be~reduced to~uninhabited~ruins.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:7 \ft \+xt Is 1:7; 6:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Because of this, put~on~sackcloth;
\q mourn and~wail,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:8 \ft \+xt Jl 1:13\+xt*\f*
\q for the \nd Lord\nd*’s burning~anger~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:8 \ft \+xt Nm 25:4; Ps 78:49\+xt*\f*
\q has not turned~away from~us.
\b
\p
\v 9 “On that day”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“the king and the officials will lose their courage. The priests will tremble in fear, and the prophets will be scared speechless.”
\p
\v 10 I said, “Oh no, Lord \nd God\nd*, you have certainly deceived~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:10 \ft \+xt 1Kg 22:22; Ezk 14:9; 2Th 2:11\+xt*\f* this people and Jerusalem, by announcing, ‘You will have peace,’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:10 \ft \+xt Jr 6:14; 23:17\+xt*\f* while a sword is at~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:10 \ft Lit \fqa sword touches\f* our throats.”
\p
\v 11 “At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A searing wind~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:11 \ft \+xt Ezk 17:10\+xt*\f* blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to my dear~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:11 \ft Lit \fqa to the daughter of my\f* people. It comes not to winnow or to sift;
\v 12 a wind too strong for this comes at my call.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:12 \ft Lit \fqa comes for me\f* Now I will also pronounce judgments against them.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:12 \ft \+xt Jr 1:16; Ezk 5:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Look, he advances like~clouds;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt Rv 1:7\+xt*\f*
\q his chariots are like~a~storm.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt Is 5:28; 66:15\+xt*\f*
\q His horses are swifter~than~eagles.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt 2Sm 1:23; Jb 9:26; Lm 4:19\+xt*\f*
\q Woe to us, for~we~are~ruined!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt Lm 5:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Wash the evil from~your~heart,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:14 \ft \+xt Ps 51:2,7; Is 1:16; Jr 2:22; Ti 3:5; Jms 4:8\+xt*\f*~Jerusalem,
\q so that you will~be~delivered.
\q How long will you~harbor
\q malicious thoughts?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:14 \ft \+xt Ps 119:113\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 For a voice announces from~Dan,
\q proclaiming malice from~Mount~Ephraim.
\q1
\v 16 Warn the nations: Look!
\q Proclaim to Jerusalem:
\q Those who besiege are~coming
\q from~a~distant~land;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:16 \ft \+xt Is 39:3\+xt*\f*
\q they raise their~voices
\q against~the~cities of~Judah.
\q1
\v 17 They have her~surrounded~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:17 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:1–4\+xt*\f*
\q like~those who~guard a~field,
\q because she has rebelled against~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:17 \ft \+xt Is 1:20\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 18 Your way and~your~actions
\q have brought this on~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:18 \ft \+xt Ps 107:17; Pr 1:31; Jr 7:3,5; 17:10; 18:11; 23:22; 25:5; 26:3,13; 32:19; Hs 4:9; 12:2; Zch 1:4,6\+xt*\f*
\q This is your punishment. It~is very~bitter,
\q because it has reached your~heart!
\s1 Jeremiah’s Lament
\q1
\v 19 My anguish, my~anguish!~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:19 \ft Lit \fqa My inner parts, my inner parts\f* I~writhe in~agony!
\q Oh, the pain in~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:19 \ft Lit \fqa the walls of\f*~my~heart!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:19 \ft \+xt Is 16:11; Hab 3:16; Rm 9:1–2\+xt*\f*
\q My heart pounds;
\q I cannot be silent.
\q For you, my soul,
\q have~heard the~sound of~the~ram’s~horn~—
\q the shout of battle.
\q1
\v 20 Disaster after disaster~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:20 \ft \+xt Ezk 7:26\+xt*\f* is~reported
\q because the whole land is~destroyed.
\q Suddenly my tents are~destroyed,
\q my tent curtains, in~a~moment.
\q1
\v 21 How long must~I~see the~signal~flag
\q and hear the~sound of~the~ram’s~horn?
\b
\q1
\v 22 “For my people are~fools;
\q they do not know me.
\q They are foolish~children,
\q without understanding.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:22 \ft \+xt Ps 82:5; Is 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q They are skilled in~doing what~is~evil,
\q but they do not know how to~do what~is~good.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:22 \ft \+xt Rm 16:19\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 23 I looked at~the~earth,
\q and~it~was formless and~empty.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:23 \ft \+xt Gn 1:2; Jb 26:7; Is 45:18\+xt*\f*
\q I looked to~the~heavens,
\q and~their~light was~gone.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:23 \ft \+xt Is 5:30; 13:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 I looked at~the~mountains,
\q and~they were~quaking;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:24 \ft \+xt Jdg 5:5; Ps 46:1–3\+xt*\f*
\q all the hills shook.
\q1
\v 25 I looked, and~there~was~no human being,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:25 \ft \+xt Gn 2:5\+xt*\f*
\q and all the birds of~the~sky had~fled.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:25 \ft \+xt Zph 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 I looked, and~the~fertile~field~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:26 \ft \+xt Jr 2:7\+xt*\f* was a~wilderness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:26 \ft \+xt Ps 107:34\+xt*\f*
\q All its cities were torn~down
\q because of~the~\nd Lord\nd*
\q and his burning anger.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:26 \ft \+xt Ps 76:7\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 27 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q “The whole land will~be a~desolation,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:27 \ft \+xt Is 6:11\+xt*\f*
\q but I will not finish~it~off.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:27 \ft \+xt Neh 9:31; Jr 5:10,18; Rm 11:1–7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 28 Because of this, the~earth will~mourn;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:28 \ft \+xt Jr 8:13; 14:2; Hs 4:3\+xt*\f*
\q the skies above will~grow~dark.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:28 \ft \+xt Ps 105:28; Is 13:10; 50:3; Ezk 30:18\+xt*\f*
\q I have spoken; I~have~planned,
\q and I will not relent or~turn~back from~it.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:28 \ft \+xt Nm 23:19; Is 46:11; 48:15; Ezk 37:14\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 29 Every city flees~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:29 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:4\+xt*\f*
\q at the sound of~the~horseman and~the~archer.
\q They enter the~thickets
\q and climb among~the~rocks.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:29 \ft \+xt Is 2:19–21\+xt*\f*
\q Every city is~abandoned;
\q no inhabitant is~left.
\q1
\v 30 And you, devastated one, what~are you~doing~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:30 \ft \+xt Is 10:3\+xt*\f*
\q that you dress yourself in~scarlet,
\q that you adorn yourself with~gold~jewelry,
\q that you enhance your~eyes with~makeup?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:30 \ft \+xt 2Kg 9:30\+xt*\f*
\q You beautify yourself for~nothing.
\q Your lovers reject you;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:30 \ft \+xt Jr 30:14; Lm 1:19\+xt*\f*
\q they intend to take your~life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:30 \ft \+xt Ezk 23:9–10,22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 I hear a cry like~a~woman in~labor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:31 \ft \+xt Ps 48:6; Is 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; Jr 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; 30:6; 50:43; Mc 4:9–10; 1Th 5:3\+xt*\f*
\q a cry of anguish like~one~bearing her~first~child.
\q The cry of~Daughter~Zion gasping~for~breath,
\q stretching out her~hands:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:31 \ft \+xt Is 1:15\+xt*\f*
\q “Woe is me, for~my~life is~weary
\q because of the~murderers!~”
\c 5
\s1 The Depravity of Jerusalem
\q1
\v 1 Roam~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:1 \ft \+xt 2Ch 16:9\+xt*\f* through the~streets of~Jerusalem.
\q Investigate;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:1 \ft Lit \fqa See and know\f*
\q search in~her~squares.
\q If you find one~person,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:1 \ft \+xt Ps 14:1–3; Ezk 22:30; Rm 3:10\+xt*\f*
\q any who~acts~justly,
\q who pursues~faithfulness,
\q then I will forgive~her.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:1 \ft \+xt Gn 18:26–32\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 2 When they say, “As~the~\nd Lord\nd*~lives,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:2 \ft \+xt Jr 4:2\+xt*\f*
\q they are swearing falsely.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:2 \ft \+xt Lv 19:12; Is 48:1; Jr 7:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 \nd Lord\nd*, don’t your~eyes look~for~faithfulness?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft \+xt 2Ch 16:9; Ps 51:6\+xt*\f*
\q You have struck them, but~they~felt no~pain.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft \+xt Pr 23:35\+xt*\f*
\q You finished them off,
\q but~they~refused to~accept~discipline.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft \+xt Pr 27:22\+xt*\f*
\q They made their~faces harder than~rock,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft \+xt Ezk 3:7–9\+xt*\f*
\q and they refused to~return.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft \+xt Hs 11:5\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 4 Then I thought:
\q They are just the~poor;
\q they have been~foolish.
\q For they don’t~understand the~way of~the~\nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:4 \ft \+xt Gn 18:19; 2Kg 17:26; 21:22; Ps 95:10; Jr 8:7; Hs 4:6\+xt*\f*
\q the justice of~their~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:4 \ft \+xt Mc 3:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 I will go to~the~powerful
\q and speak to~them.
\q Surely they know the~way of~the~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q the justice of~their~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:5 \ft \+xt Ps 103:7\+xt*\f*
\q However, these also had~broken the~yoke
\q and torn off the~chains.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:5 \ft \+xt Ps 2:3; Jr 2:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 Therefore, a lion from~the~forest will~strike~them~down.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:6 \ft \+xt 2Kg 17:26; Jr 4:7; 25:38\+xt*\f*
\q A wolf from arid~plains will~ravage~them.
\q A leopard~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:6 \ft \+xt Hs 13:7; Rv 13:2\+xt*\f* stalks their~cities.
\q Anyone who leaves them will~be~torn to~pieces
\q because their rebellious acts are~many,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:6 \ft \+xt Is 59:12\+xt*\f*
\q their unfaithful deeds numerous.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:6 \ft \+xt Jr 3:6,8,11–12,22; 14:7; 30:15; Am 5:12\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 Why should I forgive~you?
\q Your children have~abandoned~me
\q and sworn by those who~are not~gods.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:7 \ft \+xt Dt 32:21; Jos 23:7; Gl 4:8\+xt*\f*
\q I satisfied their needs, yet~they committed~adultery;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:7 \ft \+xt Hs 4:10\+xt*\f*
\q they gashed themselves~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:7 \ft \+xt 1Kg 18:24\+xt*\f* at~the~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:7 \ft Or \fqa adultery and trooped to the\ft , or \fqa adultery and lodged at the\ft ; Hb obscure\f*~prostitute’s~house.
\q1
\v 8 They are well-fed,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft Lit \fqa well-equipped\ft ; Hb obscure\f* eager~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft Lit \fqa early-rising\ft ; Hb obscure\f*~stallions,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft \+xt Ezk 23:20\+xt*\f*
\q each neighing~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft \+xt Jr 13:27\+xt*\f* after someone~else’s~wife.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft \+xt Ex 20:14; Ezk 22:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 Should I not punish them for~these~things?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:9 \ft \+xt Jr 5:29; 8:10; 9:9\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q Should I not avenge~myself~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:9 \ft \+xt Dt 32:35; Heb 10:30\+xt*\f*
\q on such a nation as~this?
\b
\q1
\v 10 Go up among her~vineyard~terraces and~destroy~them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:10 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:2\+xt*\f*
\q but do not finish~them~off.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:10 \ft \+xt Jr 4:27\+xt*\f*
\q Prune away her~shoots,
\q for they do~not~belong to~the~\nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:10 \ft \+xt Hs 1:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 They, the house of~Israel and~the~house of~Judah,
\q have dealt very~treacherously with~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:11 \ft \+xt Is 21:2; 24:16; 48:8; Hs 6:7\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 12 They have contradicted the~\nd Lord\nd*
\q and insisted, “It~won’t~happen.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:12 \ft Lit \fqa “He does not exist\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:12 \ft \+xt Is 28:15; Jr 23:17\+xt*\f*
\q Harm won’t~come to~us;
\q we won’t see~sword or~famine.”
\q1
\v 13 The prophets become only~wind,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd*’s word is~not in~them.
\q This will in fact happen to~them.
\s1 Coming Judgment
\m
\v 14 Therefore, this is what the Lord \nd God\nd* of Armies says:
\q Because you have~spoken this~word,
\q I am going to~make my~words
\q become fire in~your~mouth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:14 \ft \+xt Hs 6:5; Rv 11:5\+xt*\f*
\q These people are the~wood,
\q and the fire will~consume~them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:14 \ft \+xt Zch 12:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 I am about to~bring a~nation
\q from~far~away against~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:15 \ft \+xt Is 10:3; 13:5; 30:27; Jr 4:16\+xt*\f*
\q house of~Israel.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q It is an established nation,
\q an ancient nation,
\q a nation whose~language you~do~not~know
\q and whose speech you~do~not~understand.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:15 \ft \+xt Dt 28:49; Is 28:11; 33:19; 1Co 14:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 Their quiver is like~an~open~grave;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:16 \ft \+xt Ps 5:9; Rm 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q they are all warriors.
\q1
\v 17 They will consume your~harvest and~your~food.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:17 \ft \+xt Lv 26:16; Dt 28:31,33,51\+xt*\f*
\q They will consume your~sons and~your~daughters.
\q They will consume your~flocks and~your~herds.
\q They will consume your~vines and~your~fig~trees.
\q With~the~sword they will destroy
\q your fortified cities~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:17 \ft \+xt Hs 8:14\+xt*\f* in~which you~trust.
\b
\p
\v 18 “But even in those days”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“I will not finish you off.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:18 \ft \+xt 2Ch 12:12; Jr 4:27; 5:10; 30:11; Ezk 11:13; 20:17; Rm 11:1–5\+xt*\f*
\v 19 When people ask, ‘For what offense has the \nd Lord\nd* our God done all these things to us?~’ You will respond to them, ‘Just as you abandoned me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:19 \ft \+xt Dt 28:20; 29:24–25; 31:16; Jdg 2:12; 1Sm 8:8; 1Kg 9:8–9; Is 1:4,28; Jr 1:16; 2:13,17,19; 16:11; 17:13\+xt*\f* and served foreign gods in your land, so will you serve strangers in a land that is not yours.’ \f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:19 \ft \+xt Dt 4:27–28; 28:47–48\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 20 “Declare this in the house of Jacob; proclaim it in Judah, saying:
\q1
\v 21 Hear this,
\q you foolish and~senseless~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:21 \ft Lit \fqa without heart\f*~people.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:21 \ft \+xt Dt 32:6\+xt*\f*
\q They have eyes, but~they~don’t~see.
\q They have ears, but~they~don’t~hear.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:21 \ft \+xt Ps 115:5–6; 135:16–17; Is 6:9; 42:20; Ezk 12:2; Mt 13:14; Mk 8:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 Do you not fear me?
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q Do you not tremble before~me,
\q the one who set the~sand as~the~boundary of~the~sea,
\q an enduring barrier that it~cannot~cross?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:22 \ft \+xt Jb 26:10; 38:10–11; Ps 104:9; Pr 8:29\+xt*\f*
\q The waves surge, but they cannot~prevail.
\q They roar but cannot pass~over~it.
\q1
\v 23 But these people have~stubborn and~rebellious~hearts.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:23 \ft \+xt Dt 21:18,20; Ps 78:8; Is 1:5; Heb 3:12\+xt*\f*
\q They have turned aside and~have~gone~away.
\q1
\v 24 They have not said to~themselves,
\q ‘Let’s fear the~\nd Lord\nd* our~God,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:24 \ft \+xt Pr 9:10; Hs 6:1\+xt*\f*
\q who gives the seasonal rains, both~autumn and~spring,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:24 \ft \+xt Dt 11:14; Jl 2:23; Mt 5:45\+xt*\f*
\q who guarantees to us the~fixed~weeks of~the~harvest.’
\q1
\v 25 Your guilty acts have~diverted these~things from~you.
\q Your sins have withheld my~bounty from~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:25 \ft \+xt Is 59:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 for wicked men live among~my~people.
\q They watch like~hunters~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:26 \ft Lit \fqa hunters of birds\f* lying~in~wait.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:26 \ft Hb obscure\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:26 \ft \+xt Pr 1:11\+xt*\f*
\q They set a~trap;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:26 \ft \+xt Ps 10:9\+xt*\f*
\q they catch men.
\q1
\v 27 Like a cage full of~birds,
\q so their houses are~full of~deceit.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:27 \ft \+xt Ps 10:7; 50:19; Is 3:14; 5:18; 30:12; Jr 8:5; Zph 1:9; Ac 13:10; Rm 1:29\+xt*\f*
\q Therefore they have grown~powerful and~rich.
\q1
\v 28 They have become~fat~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:28 \ft \+xt Dt 32:15\+xt*\f* and~sleek.
\q They have also excelled in~evil~matters.
\q They have not taken~up~cases,
\q such as the case of~the~fatherless, so~they~might~prosper,
\q and they have not defended the~rights of~the~needy.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:28 \ft \+xt Dt 24:14; Jb 29:16; 30:25; 31:19; Ps 82:3–4; 140:12; Pr 14:31; 31:9; Is 1:23; Zch 7:10; Ac 4:34\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 Should I not punish them for~these~things?
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q Should I not avenge myself~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:29 \ft \+xt Jr 5:9; 8:19; Heb 10:30\+xt*\f*
\q on such a~nation~as this?
\b
\q1
\v 30 “An appalling, horrible~thing
\q has taken place in~the~land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:30 \ft \+xt Hs 6:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 The prophets prophesy~falsely,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:31 \ft \+xt Jr 6:13; 8:10; 14:14; 20:6; 23:14,25–26,32; 27:10,14–16; 28:15; 29:9,21,31; Lm 2:14; Zch 13:3\+xt*\f*
\q and the priests rule by~their~own~authority.
\q My people love it like~this.
\q But what will you do at~the~end of~it?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:31 \ft \+xt Dt 32:29; Is 10:3\+xt*\f*
\c 6
\s1 Threatened Siege of Jerusalem
\q1
\v 1 “Run for cover~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft \+xt Ex 9:19; Is 10:31; Jr 4:6\+xt*\f*
\q out of Jerusalem, Benjaminites.
\q Sound the ram’s horn~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft \+xt Jr 4:5; 51:27; Am 3:6\+xt*\f* in~Tekoa;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft \+xt 2Sm 14:2; 2Ch 11:6; 20:20\+xt*\f*
\q raise a smoke signal~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft \+xt Jdg 20:38,40; Neh 3:14\+xt*\f* over~Beth-haccherem,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft = House of the Vineyard\f*
\q for disaster threatens from~the~north,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft \+xt Jr 1:13; 4:6,20; 6:22; 15:12; 47:2; 50:3,9,41; 51:48\+xt*\f*
\q even a crushing blow.
\q1
\v 2 Though she is beautiful and~delicate,
\q I will destroy~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:2 \ft Or \fqa silence\f* Daughter~Zion.
\q1
\v 3 Shepherds and~their~flocks will~come against~her;
\q they will pitch their~tents all~around~her.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:3 \ft \+xt Jr 4:17\+xt*\f*
\q Each will pasture his~own~portion.
\q1
\v 4 Set them apart for~war~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:4 \ft \+xt Jr 51:27; Mc 3:5\+xt*\f* against~her;
\q rise up, let’s attack at~noon.
\q Woe to us, for~the~day is~passing;
\q the evening shadows grow~long.
\q1
\v 5 Rise up, let’s attack by~night.
\q Let’s destroy her~fortresses.”
\b
\p
\v 6 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Cut down the~trees;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:6 \ft \+xt Dt 20:19–20\+xt*\f*
\q raise a siege ramp against~Jerusalem.
\q This city must~be~punished.
\q There is nothing but~oppression within~her.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:6 \ft \+xt Is 30:12; 59:9–15; Jr 22:17; Ezk 22:7,12,29; Am 3:9; Hab 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 As a well gushes out its~water,
\q so she pours out her~evil.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:7 \ft Or \fqa well keeps its water fresh, so she keeps her evil fresh\f*
\q Violence and destruction~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:7 \ft \+xt Jr 20:8; Am 3:10; Hab 1:3\+xt*\f* resound in~her.
\q Sickness and wounds keep~coming to~my~attention.
\q1
\v 8 Be warned, Jerusalem,
\q or I will turn away from~you;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:8 \ft \+xt Ezk 23:18; Hs 9:12\+xt*\f*
\q I will make you a~desolation,
\q a land without~inhabitants.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:8 \ft \+xt Jr 9:11; 25:9; 29:18; 34:22; Ezk 30:12\+xt*\f*
\s1 Wrath on Israel
\m
\v 9 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Glean the remnant of~Israel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:9 \ft \+xt Is 10:20; Jr 31:7; Ezk 9:8; 11:13; Mc 2:12; Zph 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q as thoroughly as~a~vine.
\q Pass your hand once~more like~a~grape~gatherer
\q over the branches.
\b
\q1
\v 10 Who can I speak to and~give such~a~warning~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:10 \ft Or \fqa and bear witness\f*
\q that they will listen?
\q Look, their ear is~uncircumcised,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 6:10 \ft They are unresponsive to God.\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:10 \ft \+xt Lv 26:41; Jr 9:26; Ezk 44:7,9\+xt*\f*
\q so they cannot pay~attention.
\q See, the word of~the~\nd Lord\nd* has~become~contemptible to~them~—
\q they find no~pleasure in~it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:10 \ft \+xt 1Sm 15:23; Jr 8:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 But I am full of~the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~wrath;
\q I am tired of~holding it~back.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:11 \ft \+xt Jr 20:9; Hs 5:10\+xt*\f*
\q Pour it out on~the~children in~the~street,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:11 \ft \+xt Jr 9:21\+xt*\f*
\q on the gathering of~young~men as~well.
\q For both husband and~wife will~be~captured,
\q the old with the~very~old.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:11 \ft Lit \fqa with fullness of days\f*
\q1
\v 12 Their houses will be turned~over to~others,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:12 \ft \+xt Jr 8:10–12\+xt*\f*
\q their fields and~wives as~well,
\q for I will stretch out my~hand~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:12 \ft \+xt Ex 3:20; Jr 15:6; Ezk 6:14; 14:13; 25:7; Zph 1:4\+xt*\f*
\q against the inhabitants of~the~land.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 13 For from the least to~the~greatest of~them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:13 \ft \+xt Est 1:20; Jr 8:10; 31:34; 42:1,8; 44:12\+xt*\f*
\q everyone is making profit~dishonestly.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:13 \ft \+xt Pr 1:19; 15:27; Hab 2:9\+xt*\f*
\q From prophet to~priest,
\q everyone deals falsely.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:13 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; 8:10; 14:14; 20:6; 23:14,25–26,32; 27:10,14–16; 28:15; 29:9,21,31; Lm 2:14; Zch 13:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 They have treated my~people’s~brokenness~superficially,
\q claiming, “Peace, peace,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:14 \ft \+xt 1Ch 12:18; Is 57:19\+xt*\f*
\q when there is no~peace.
\q1
\v 15 Were they ashamed when~they~acted so~detestably?
\q They weren’t at~all~ashamed.
\q They can no longer feel~humiliation.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:15 \ft \+xt Jr 3:3; 8:12\+xt*\f*
\q Therefore, they~will~fall among~the~fallen.
\q When I punish them, they~will~collapse,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:13–15 \ft \+xt Jr 8:10–12\+xt*\f*
\q says the \nd Lord\nd*.
\s1 Disaster because of Disobedience
\m
\v 16 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Stand by the roadways and~look.
\q Ask about the~ancient~paths,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:16 \ft \+xt Is 59:8; Jr 18:15; Jb 24:13; Pr 8:20; 12:28\+xt*\f*
\q “Which is the way to~what is~good?~”
\q Then take it
\q and find rest for~yourselves.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:16 \ft \+xt Mt 11:29\+xt*\f*
\q But they protested, “We~won’t!~”
\q1
\v 17 I appointed watchmen over~you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:17 \ft \+xt Is 21:11; 58:1; Hs 9:8\+xt*\f*
\q and said, “Listen for the~sound of~the~ram’s~horn.”
\q But they protested, “We~won’t~listen!~”
\b
\q1
\v 18 Therefore listen, you~nations
\q and you~witnesses,
\q learn what the~charge is against~them.
\q1
\v 19 Listen, earth!
\q I am about to~bring~disaster on~these~people,
\q the fruit of~their~own~plotting,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:19 \ft \+xt Pr 1:31\+xt*\f*
\q for they have paid no~attention to~my~words.
\q They have rejected my~instruction.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:19 \ft \+xt Is 5:24; Jr 23:17\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 What use to me is frankincense from~Sheba~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:20 \ft \+xt 1Kg 10:1; Is 60:6\+xt*\f*
\q or sweet cane~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:20 \ft \+xt Ex 30:23; Is 43:24; Ezk 27:19\+xt*\f* from~a~distant~land?
\q Your burnt offerings are~not~acceptable;
\q your sacrifices do not please~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:20 \ft \+xt Ps 40:6; Is 1:11; 43:23; 66:3; Hs 9:4; Am 5:21; Mc 6:6; Mal 1:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 Therefore, this is what the~\nd Lord\nd*~says:
\q I am going to place stumbling~blocks before~these~people;
\q fathers and sons together will~stumble over~them;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:21 \ft \+xt Is 8:15; Jr 31:9; Ezk 7:19\+xt*\f*
\q friends and neighbors will~also~perish.
\s1 A Cruel Nation from the North
\m
\v 22 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Look,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:22–24 \ft \+xt Jr 50:41–43\+xt*\f* an army is coming from~a~northern~land;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:22–24 \ft \+xt Jr 50:41–43\+xt*\f*
\q a great nation will~be stirred~up
\q from the remote regions of~the~earth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:22 \ft \+xt Jr 25:32; 31:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 They grasp bow and~javelin.
\q They are cruel and~show no~mercy.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:23 \ft \+xt Is 13:18; Jr 50:42; Hab 1:6–17\+xt*\f*
\q Their voice roars like~the~sea,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:23 \ft \+xt Is 5:30; 17:12\+xt*\f*
\q and they ride on~horses,
\q lined up like~men in~battle~formation
\q against you, Daughter~Zion.
\b
\q1
\v 24 We have heard about~it,
\q and our hands~have become weak.
\q Distress has~seized~us~—
\q pain, like a~woman in~labor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:24 \ft \+xt Ps 48:6; Is 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; Jr 4:31; 13:21; 22:23; 30:6; 50:43; Mc 4:9–10; 1Th 5:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 Don’t go out to~the~fields;
\q don’t walk on~the~road.
\q For the enemy has~a~sword;
\q terror is on~every~side.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:25 \ft \+xt Ps 31:13; Jr 20:3,10; 49:29\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 26 My dear~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:26 \ft Lit \fqa Daughter of my\f* people, dress~yourselves in~sackcloth
\q and roll in~the~dust.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:26 \ft \+xt Jr 25:34; Ezk 27:30; Mc 1:10\+xt*\f*
\q Mourn as~you~would~for an~only~son,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:26 \ft \+xt Am 8:10\+xt*\f*
\q a bitter lament,
\q for suddenly the~destroyer~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:26 \ft \+xt Ex 12:23; Is 21:2; 54:16; Jr 48:8,15,18,32; 1Co 10:10; Heb 11:28\+xt*\f* will~come on~us.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:26 \ft \+xt Is 47:11; Jr 4:20; 15:8\+xt*\f*
\s1 Jeremiah Appointed as an Examiner
\q1
\v 27 I have appointed you to~be an~assayer among~my~people~—
\q a refiner~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 6:27 \ft Text emended; MT reads \fqa fortress\f*~—
\q so you may know and~assay their~way of~life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:27 \ft \+xt 1Ch 29:17; Ps 7:9; Pr 17:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 28 All are stubborn rebels
\q spreading slander.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:28 \ft \+xt Lv 19:16; Pr 11:13; 20:19; Is 1:23\+xt*\f*
\q They are bronze and~iron;
\q all of them are~corrupt.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:28 \ft \+xt 2Ch 27:2; Is 1:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 The bellows blow,
\q blasting the~lead with~fire.
\q The refining is~completely in~vain;
\q the evil ones are~not separated~out.
\q1
\v 30 They are called rejected~silver,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* has~rejected~them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:30 \ft \+xt 1Sm 15:23,26; Jr 2:37; 7:29\+xt*\f*
\c 7
\s1 False Trust in the Temple
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd*:
\v 2 “Stand in the gate of the house of the \nd Lord\nd*~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:2 \ft \+xt Jr 26:2\+xt*\f* and there call out this word: ‘Hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, all you people of Judah who enter through these gates to worship the \nd Lord\nd*.
\p
\v 3 “~‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your actions,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:3 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18; 18:11; 26:13\+xt*\f* and I will allow you to live in this place.
\v 4 Do not trust deceitful words, chanting, “This is the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*, the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*, the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*.”
\v 5 Instead, if you really correct your ways and your actions, if you act justly toward one another,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:5 \ft Lit \fqa justly between a man and his neighbor\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:5 \ft \+xt Jr 22:3\+xt*\f*
\v 6 if you no longer oppress the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:6 \ft \+xt Dt 19:10,13; 21:8–9; 2Kg 21:16; 24:4; Jr 22:3,17; 26:15; Mt 27:4\+xt*\f* and no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods, bringing harm on yourselves,
\v 7 I will allow you to live in this place, the land I gave to your ancestors~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:7 \ft \+xt Gn 12:7; Jos 1:2; Jr 30:3\+xt*\f* long ago and forever.
\v 8 But look, you keep trusting in deceitful words that cannot help.
\p
\v 9 “~‘Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:9 \ft \+xt Ex 20:3–17; Lv 19:11–12; Dt 5:7–21; Ezk 18:5–9,14–18; 22:6–12; Hs 4:2\+xt*\f*
\v 10 Then do you come and stand before me in this house~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:10 \ft \+xt Jr 32:34\+xt*\f* that bears my name and say, “We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts”?
\v 11 Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:11 \ft \+xt Is 56:7; Mt 21:13; Mk 11:17; Lk 19:46\+xt*\f* in your view? Yes, I too have seen it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:11 \ft \+xt Ps 33:13–15; Ezk 8:12; Am 9:1–4\+xt*\f*
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\s1 Shiloh as a Warning
\m
\v 12 “~‘But return to my place that was at Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:12 \ft \+xt Dt 12:11; 14:23; 16:6,11\+xt*\f* See what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel.
\v 13 Now, because you have done all these things~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#and because I have spoken to you time and time again~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:13 \ft Lit \fqa you rising early and speaking\f* but you wouldn’t listen,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:13 \ft \+xt Jr 7:25; 11:7; 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14–15; 44:4\+xt*\f* and I have called to you, but you wouldn’t answer,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:13 \ft \+xt Pr 1:24; Is 65:12\+xt*\f*
\v 14 what I did to Shiloh I will do to the house that bears my name,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:14 \ft \+xt Dt 12:5; 1Kg 9:7; Mk 13:2\+xt*\f* the house in which you trust, the place that I gave you and your ancestors.
\v 15 I will banish you from my presence, just as I banished all of your brothers, all the descendants of Ephraim.’ \f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:15 \ft \+xt Dt 29:28; 2Kg 17\+xt*\f*
\s1 Do Not Pray for Judah
\m
\v 16 “As for you, do not pray for these people.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:16 \ft \+xt Jr 11:14; 14:11–12; 15:1\+xt*\f* Do not offer a cry or a prayer on their behalf, and do not beg me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:16 \ft \+xt Gn 23:8; Ru 1:16; Jr 27:18\+xt*\f* for I will not listen to you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:16 \ft \+xt Ex 32:11–13,20–34; Jr 14:11; 15:1\+xt*\f*
\v 17 Don’t you see how they behave in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
\v 18 The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 7:18 \ft = a pagan goddess\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:18 \ft \+xt Jr 44:17–19,25\+xt*\f* and they pour out drink offerings to other gods so that they provoke me to anger.
\v 19 But are they really provoking me?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:19 \ft \+xt Jb 35:6\+xt*\f* This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. “Isn’t it they themselves being provoked to disgrace?~”
\p
\v 20 Therefore, this is what the Lord \nd God\nd* says: “Look, my anger~#—~#my burning wrath~#—~#is about to be poured out on this place,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:20 \ft \+xt Jr 42:18; Lm 4:11\+xt*\f* on people and animals, on the tree of the field, and on the produce of the land. My wrath will burn and not be quenched.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:20 \ft \+xt Nah 1:6\+xt*\f*
\s1 Obedience over Sacrifice
\m
\v 21 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices, and eat the meat yourselves,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:21 \ft \+xt Dt 12:4–28; Ps 50:13; Hs 8:13\+xt*\f*
\v 22 for when I brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak with them~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:22 \ft \+xt Hs 6:6\+xt*\f* or command them concerning burnt offering and sacrifice.
\v 23 However, I did give them this command: ‘Obey me, and then I will be your God, and you will be my people. Follow every way I command you so that it may go well with you.’ \f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:23 \ft \+xt Dt 5:33\+xt*\f*
\v 24 Yet they didn’t listen or pay attention~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:24 \ft \+xt Ps 81:11\+xt*\f* but followed their own advice and their own stubborn, evil heart. They went backward and not forward.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:24 \ft \+xt Jr 15:6\+xt*\f*
\v 25 Since the day your ancestors came out of the land of Egypt until today, I have sent all my servants the prophets~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:25 \ft \+xt 2Kg 9:7; 17:13; Jr 26:5; 29:19; 35:15; 44:4; Ezk 38:17; Zch 1:6\+xt*\f* to you time and time again.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:25 \ft Lit \fqa you, each day rising early and sending\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:25 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:15–16; Jr 25:4\+xt*\f*
\v 26 However, my people wouldn’t listen to me or pay attention but became obstinate;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:26 \ft \+xt Ex 32:9; Dt 9:6,13; 2Kg 17:14; Jr 17:23; 19:15\+xt*\f* they did more evil than their ancestors.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:26 \ft \+xt 1Kg 16:25; 2Kg 21:11\+xt*\f*
\s1 A Lament for Disobedient Judah
\m
\v 27 “When you speak all these things to them, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer you.
\v 28 Therefore, declare to them, ‘This is the nation that would not listen to the \nd Lord\nd* their God and would not accept discipline. Truth~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:28 \ft Or \fqa Faithfulness\f* has perished~#—~#it has disappeared from their mouths.
\v 29 Cut off the hair of your sacred vow~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:29 \ft Lit \fqa off your consecration\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:29 \ft \+xt Nm 6:1–8\+xt*\f* and throw it away. Raise up a dirge on the barren heights,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:29 \ft \+xt Jr 3:2,21\+xt*\f* for the \nd Lord\nd* has rejected and abandoned the generation under his wrath.’ \f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:29 \ft \+xt Is 2:6\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 30 “For the Judeans have done what is evil in my sight.” This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. “They have set up their abhorrent things~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:30 \ft \+xt Jr 4:1; 16:18; 32:34\+xt*\f* in the house that bears my name in order to defile it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:30 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:24\+xt*\f*
\v 31 They have built the high places of Topheth~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:31 \ft Lit \fqa of the fireplace\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:31 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:10; Jr 19:6,11–14\+xt*\f* in Ben Hinnom Valley~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 7:31 \ft A valley south of Jerusalem\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:31 \ft \+xt Jos 15:8; Jr 19:5; 32:35\+xt*\f* in order to burn their sons and daughters in the fire,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:31 \ft \+xt Lv 18:21; Dt 12:31; 2Kg 17:17,31; 2Ch 28:3; Jr 19:5; Ezk 16:21; 20:31; 23:25,37,47\+xt*\f* a thing I did not command; I never entertained the thought.
\p
\v 32 “Therefore, look, the days are coming”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:32 \ft \+xt Jr 16:14; 19:6; 23:5; 48:12; 49:2; 51:47,52\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“when this place will no longer be called Topheth and Ben Hinnom Valley, but Slaughter Valley.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:32 \ft \+xt Jr 19:6\+xt*\f* Topheth will become a cemetery,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:32 \ft Lit \fqa They will bury in Topheth\f* because there will be no other burial place.
\v 33 The corpses of these people will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land, with no one to scare them away.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:33 \ft \+xt Dt 28:26; Ps 79:2; Jr 16:4; 19:7; 34:20; Ezk 29:5\+xt*\f*
\v 34 I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sound of joy and gladness and the voices of the groom and the bride,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:34 \ft \+xt Jr 16:9; 25:10; 33:11\+xt*\f* for the land will become a desolate waste.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:34 \ft \+xt Lv 26:31,33; Is 64:11; Jr 25:9,11,18; 27:17; 44:2,6,22\+xt*\f*
\c 8
\s1 Death over Life
\m
\v 1 “At that time”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of her officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the residents of Jerusalem will be brought out of their graves.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 9:37; 23:16; Am 2:1\+xt*\f*
\v 2 They will be exposed~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:2 \ft \+xt 2Sm 21:12–14; Ps 53:5; Ezk 6:5\+xt*\f* to the sun, the moon, and all the stars in the sky,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:2 \ft \+xt Dt 4:19; 2Kg 17:16; 21:3; 23:4–5; Ezk 8:16\+xt*\f* which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be collected and buried but will become like manure on the soil’s surface.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:2 \ft \+xt Ps 83:10; Jr 9:22; 16:4; 25:33\+xt*\f*
\v 3 Death will be chosen over life~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:3 \ft \+xt Dt 30:11–20; Jb 3:21–22; 7:15–16; Rv 9:6\+xt*\f* by all the survivors of this evil family, those who remain wherever I have banished them.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:3 \ft \+xt Jr 23:3,8; 29:14,18; 32:37; Dn 9:7\+xt*\f* This is the declaration of the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies.
\p
\v 4 “You are to say to them: This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Do people fall and~not get~up~again?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:4 \ft \+xt Is 24:20; Jr 25:27; Am 5:2\+xt*\f*
\q If they turn away, do~they not~return?
\q1
\v 5 Why have these~people turned~away?
\q Why is Jerusalem always turning~away?
\q They take hold of~deceit;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:5 \ft \+xt Jr 14:14; 23:26; Zph 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q they refuse to~return.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:5 \ft \+xt Jr 5:3; Hs 11:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 I have paid careful~attention.
\q They do not speak what~is~right.
\q No one regrets his~evil,
\q asking, ‘What~have I~done?~’
\q Everyone has~stayed his~course
\q like a horse rushing into~battle.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:6 \ft \+xt Jb 39:19–25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Even storks in~the~sky
\q know their seasons.
\q Turtledoves, swallows, and~cranes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:7 \ft Hb obscure\f*
\q are aware of~their~migration,
\q but my people do~not~know
\q the requirements of~the~\nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:7 \ft \+xt 2Kg 17:26; Ps 95:10; Is 1:3; Jr 4:22; 5:4\+xt*\f*
\s1 Punishment for Judah’s Leaders
\q1
\v 8 “How can you claim, ‘We~are~wise;
\q the law of the \nd Lord\nd* is with~us’?
\q In fact, the lying pen of~scribes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:8 \ft \+xt Jb 19:24; Ps 45:1; Jr 17:1\+xt*\f*
\q has produced falsehood.
\q1
\v 9 The wise will be put~to~shame;
\q they will be dismayed and~snared.
\q They have rejected the~word of~the~\nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:9 \ft \+xt 1Sm 15:23,26\+xt*\f*
\q so what wisdom do they really~have?
\q1
\v 10 Therefore, I will give~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:10–12 \ft \+xt Jr 6:13–15\+xt*\f* their~wives to~other~men,
\q their fields to~new~occupants,
\q for from the least to~the~greatest,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:10 \ft \+xt Est 1:20; Jr 6:13; 31:34; 42:1,8; 44:12\+xt*\f*
\q everyone is making profit~dishonestly.
\q From prophet to~priest,
\q everyone deals falsely.
\q1
\v 11 They have treated the~brokenness
\q of my dear~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:11 \ft Lit \fqa of the daughter of my\ft , also in vv.~19,21,22\f* people superficially,
\q claiming, ‘Peace,~peace,’
\q when there is no peace.
\q1
\v 12 Were they ashamed when~they~acted so~detestably?
\q They weren’t at~all~ashamed.
\q They can no longer feel~humiliation.
\q Therefore, they will fall among~the~fallen.
\q When I punish them, they~will~collapse,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:12 \ft \+xt Jr 10:15; 49:8; 51:18\+xt*\f*
\q says the \nd Lord\nd*.
\b
\q1
\v 13 “I will gather them and~bring~them to~an~end.”~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:13 \ft Lit \fqa Gathering I will end them\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:13 \ft \+xt Zph 1:2\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q “There will be no grapes on~the~vine,
\q no figs on~the~fig~tree,
\q and even the~leaf will~wither.
\q Whatever I have given them will~be~lost to~them.”
\s1 God’s People Unrepentant
\q1
\v 14 Why are we just sitting here?
\q Gather together; let’s~enter the~fortified~cities
\q and perish there,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:14 \ft Or \fqa there be silenced\f*
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* our~God has~destroyed~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:14 \ft Or \fqa silenced\f*~us.
\q He has given us poisoned~water to~drink,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:14 \ft \+xt 2Kg 7:3–4; Jr 9:15; 21:8–9\+xt*\f*
\q because we have~sinned against~the~\nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:14 \ft \+xt Is 64:5; Jr 3:25; 14:7,20; Lm 3:42; 5:16; Dn 9:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 We hoped for peace, but~there~was nothing~good;
\q for a time of healing, but~there~was only~terror.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:15 \ft \+xt Jr 14:19; 33:9\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 16 From Dan, the snorting of~horses~is~heard.
\q At the sound of~the~neighing of~mighty~steeds,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:16 \ft \+xt Jdg 5:22; Jr 47:3; 50:11\+xt*\f*
\q the whole land quakes.
\q They come to devour the~land and~everything in~it,
\q the city and all its~residents.
\q1
\v 17 Indeed, I am about to~send snakes among~you,
\q poisonous vipers~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:17 \ft \+xt Nm 21:6–9; Dt 32:24\+xt*\f* that~cannot be~charmed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:17 \ft \+xt Ps 58:4–5; Ec 10:11\+xt*\f*
\q They will bite you.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\s1 Lament over Judah
\q1
\v 18 My joy has flown~away;
\q grief has settled on~me.
\q My heart is~sick.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:18 \ft \+xt Lm 5:17\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Listen~#—~#the cry of~my~dear~people
\q from~a~faraway~land,
\q “Is the \nd Lord\nd* no~longer in~Zion,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:19 \ft \+xt Ps 99:2; 102:21; Jr 14:9; Jl 3:17,21; Mc 3:11\+xt*\f*
\q her King not within~her?~”
\q Why have they angered~me
\q with~their~carved~images,
\q with their worthless foreign~idols?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:19 \ft \+xt Dt 32:21; Jr 2:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 Harvest has passed, summer~has~ended,
\q but we have not been~saved.
\q1
\v 21 I am broken by~the~brokenness
\q of~my~dear~people.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:21 \ft \+xt Jr 6:14; 8:11\+xt*\f*
\q I mourn; horror has taken~hold of~me.
\q1
\v 22 Is there no~balm in~Gilead?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:22 \ft \+xt Gn 37:25; Jr 46:11\+xt*\f*
\q Is there no~physician there?
\q So why has the~healing of~my~dear~people
\q not come about?
\b
\c 9
\q1
\v 1 If my head were a flowing spring,
\q my eyes a~fountain of~tears,
\q I would weep day and~night~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:1 \ft \+xt Ps 42:3; Jr 13:17; Lm 2:11; Lk 19:41\+xt*\f*
\q over the slain of~my~dear~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:1 \ft Lit \fqa slain among the daughter of my\f*~people.
\q1
\v 2 If only I had a~traveler’s lodging~place
\q in the wilderness,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft \+xt 1Kg 19:9–10\+xt*\f*
\q I would abandon my~people
\q and depart from~them,
\q for they are all~adulterers,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft \+xt Jr 23:10; Hs 7:4; Mal 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q a solemn assembly of~treacherous~people.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft \+xt Is 24:16; 33:1; Jr 12:1\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 3 They bent their~tongues like~their~bows;
\q lies and not faithfulness prevail in~the~land,
\q for they proceed from~one~evil to~another,
\q and they do not take me into~account.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:3 \ft \+xt Jr 4:22\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\s1 Imminent Ruin and Exile
\q1
\v 4 Everyone has to be on~guard against~his~friend.
\q Don’t trust any~brother,
\q for every brother will certainly~deceive,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:4 \ft \+xt Gn 27:36\+xt*\f*
\q and every friend spread~slander.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:4 \ft \+xt Jr 6:28\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Each one betrays his~friend;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:5 \ft \+xt Gn 31:7\+xt*\f*
\q no one tells the~truth.
\q They have taught their~tongues to~speak~lies;
\q they wear themselves out doing~wrong.
\q1
\v 6 You live in a~world of~deception.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 9:6 \ft LXX reads \fqa Oppression on oppression, deceit on deceit\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:6 \ft \+xt Gn 27:35–36; 34:13\+xt*\f*
\q In their deception they~refuse to~know me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:6 \ft \+xt Rm 1:17\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\p
\v 7 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q I am about to refine them and~test~them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:7 \ft \+xt Is 1:25; Jr 6:27\+xt*\f*
\q for what else can~I~do
\q because~of my~dear~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:7 \ft Lit \fqa of the daughter of my\f*~people?~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 9:7 \ft LXX, Tg read \fqa because of their evils\f*
\q1
\v 8 Their tongues are deadly~arrows~—
\q they speak deception.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:8 \ft \+xt Ps 28:3\+xt*\f*
\q With his~mouth
\q one~speaks~peaceably with~his~friend,
\q but inwardly he sets up an~ambush.
\q1
\v 9 Should I not punish them for~these~things?
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q Should I not avenge~myself~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:9 \ft \+xt Jr 5:9,29\+xt*\f*
\q on such a~nation as~this?
\b
\q1
\v 10 I will raise weeping and~a~lament
\q over~the~mountains,
\q a dirge over~the~wilderness grazing~land,
\q for they have been so~scorched
\q that~no~one passes~through.
\q The sound of~cattle is no~longer~heard.
\q From the birds of~the~sky to~the~animals,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:10 \ft \+xt Jr 4:25; 12:4\+xt*\f*
\q everything has fled~#—~#they~have gone~away.
\q1
\v 11 I will make Jerusalem a~heap of~rubble,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:11 \ft \+xt 2Kg 19:25; Is 25:2\+xt*\f*
\q a jackals’ den.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:11 \ft \+xt Jr 10:22; 49:33; 51:37\+xt*\f*
\q I will make the~cities of~Judah a~desolation,
\q an uninhabited place.
\b
\p
\v 12 Who is the person wise enough to understand this?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:12 \ft \+xt Ps 107:43; Ec 8:1; Hs 14:9\+xt*\f* Who has the \nd Lord\nd* spoken to, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a wilderness, so no one can pass through?
\p
\v 13 The \nd Lord\nd* said, “It is because they abandoned my instruction,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:13 \ft \+xt 2Ch 12:1\+xt*\f* which I set before them, and did not obey my voice or walk according to it.
\v 14 Instead, they followed the stubbornness of their hearts~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:14 \ft \+xt Dt 29:19; Ps 81:12\+xt*\f* and followed the Baals as their ancestors taught them.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:14 \ft \+xt Jr 2:8,23\+xt*\f*
\v 15 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to feed this people wormwood~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:15 \ft \+xt Dt 29:18; Jr 23:15; Lm 3:19\+xt*\f* and give them poisonous water to drink.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:15 \ft \+xt Jr 8:14; 23:15\+xt*\f*
\v 16 I will scatter them among the nations~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:16 \ft \+xt Lv 26:33; Dt 4:27; 28:64\+xt*\f* that they and their ancestors have not known. I will send a sword after them until I have finished them off.”
\s1 Mourning over Judah
\m
\v 17 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Consider, and summon the~women who~mourn;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:17 \ft \+xt Ec 12:5; Am 5:16\+xt*\f*
\q send for the~skillful~women.
\q1
\v 18 Let them come quickly to~raise a~lament over~us
\q so that our eyes may~overflow with~tears,
\q our eyelids be soaked with~weeping.
\q1
\v 19 For a sound of~lamentation is~heard from~Zion:
\q How devastated we~are.
\q We are greatly~ashamed,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:19 \ft \+xt Jr 2:26; 6:15; 8:12\+xt*\f*
\q for we have abandoned the~land;
\q our dwellings have~been torn~down.
\b
\q1
\v 20 Now hear the~word of~the~\nd Lord\nd*, you~women.
\q Pay attention to~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:20 \ft Lit \fqa Your ears must receive\f*~the~words from~his~mouth.
\q Teach your daughters a~lament
\q and one another a~dirge,
\q1
\v 21 for Death~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:21 \ft \+xt Jb 18:13; 28:22; Ps 49:14\+xt*\f* has~climbed through~our~windows;
\q it has entered our~fortresses,
\q cutting off children from~the~streets,
\q young men from~the~squares.
\b
\p
\v 22 “Speak as follows: ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* declares: Human corpses will fall like manure on the surface of the field,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:22 \ft \+xt 2Kg 9:30,32,37\+xt*\f* like newly cut grain~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:22 \ft \+xt Am 2:13; Mc 4:12; Zch 12:6\+xt*\f* after the reaper with no one to gather it.
\s1 Boast in the \nd Lord\nd*
\m
\v 23 “~‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q The wise person should~not~boast in~his~wisdom;
\q the strong should~not~boast in~his~strength;
\q the wealthy should~not~boast in~his~wealth.
\q1
\v 24 But the one who~boasts should~boast in~this:
\q that he understands and~knows~me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:24 \ft \+xt Ps 34:2; 64:10; 105:3; 1Co 1:31; 2Co 10:17\+xt*\f*~—
\q that I am the \nd Lord\nd*, showing~faithful~love,
\q justice, and righteousness on~the~earth,
\q for I delight in~these~things.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\p
\v 25 “~‘Look, the days are coming~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#when I will punish all the circumcised yet uncircumcised:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:25 \ft \+xt Jr 4:4; Rm 2:28–29\+xt*\f*
\v 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the Ammonites, Moab, and all the inhabitants of the desert who clip the hair on their temples.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:26 \ft Or \fqa who live in distant places\f* All these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:26 \ft \+xt Lv 19:27; Jr 25:23; 49:32; Ezk 44:7,9\+xt*\f*
\c 10
\s1 False Gods Contrasted with the Creator
\m
\v 1 Hear the word that the \nd Lord\nd* has spoken to~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:1 \ft Or \fqa against\f* you, house of Israel.
\v 2 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Do not learn the~way of~the~nations~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:2 \ft \+xt Jr 2:23,36\+xt*\f*
\q or be terrified by~signs in~the~heavens,
\q although the~nations are~terrified by~them,
\q1
\v 3 for the customs of~the~peoples are~worthless.
\q Someone cuts down a~tree from~the~forest;
\q it is worked by~the~hands of~a~craftsman with~a~chisel.
\q1
\v 4 He decorates it with~silver and~gold.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:4 \ft \+xt Is 40:19\+xt*\f*
\q It is fastened with~hammer and~nails,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:4 \ft \+xt Is 41:7\+xt*\f*
\q so it won’t~totter.
\q1
\v 5 Like scarecrows in~a~cucumber~patch,
\q their~idols cannot~speak.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:5 \ft \+xt Ps 115:5; 1Co 12:2\+xt*\f*
\q They must be carried~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:5 \ft \+xt Ps 115:7; Is 46:7\+xt*\f* because they~cannot~walk.
\q Do not fear them for~they can~do no~harm~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:5 \ft \+xt Is 41:23–24\+xt*\f*~—
\q and they cannot~do any~good.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:3–5 \ft \+xt Is 44:9–20\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 6 \nd Lord\nd*, there~is no~one like~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:6 \ft \+xt Ex 15:11; 2Sm 7:22; 1Kg 8:23\+xt*\f*
\q You are~great;
\q your name is~great in~power.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:6 \ft \+xt Ps 76:1; 86:10; Mal 1:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Who should not fear~you,
\q King of~the~nations?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:7 \ft \+xt Ps 22:28; 47:7–8; Jr 8:19\+xt*\f*
\q It is what you~deserve.
\q For among all the~wise~people of~the~nations
\q and among all~their~kingdoms,
\q there is no~one like~you.
\q1
\v 8 They are both stupid and~foolish,
\q instructed by~worthless~idols
\q made of wood!
\q1
\v 9 Beaten silver is~brought from~Tarshish~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:9 \ft \+xt Ezk 27:12,25; 38:13\+xt*\f*
\q and gold from~Uphaz.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:9 \ft Or \fqa Ophir\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:9 \ft \+xt Dn 10:5\+xt*\f*
\q The~work of~a~craftsman
\q and of a goldsmith’s hands
\q is clothed in blue and~purple,
\q all the work of~skilled~artisans.
\q1
\v 10 But the \nd Lord\nd* is~the~true~God;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:10 \ft \+xt 2Ch 15:3\+xt*\f*
\q he is the~living~God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:10 \ft \+xt Dt 5:26; 1Sm 17:26,36; 2Kg 19:4,16\+xt*\f* and~eternal~King.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:10 \ft \+xt Ex 15:18; Ps 10:16; 29:10\+xt*\f*
\q The earth quakes at~his~wrath,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:10 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:8; Ps 18:7; Is 13:13\+xt*\f*
\q and the~nations cannot~endure his~fury.
\m
\v 11 You are to say this to them: “The gods that did not make the heavens~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:11 \ft \+xt Ps 96:5\+xt*\f* and the earth will perish from the earth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:11 \ft \+xt Is 2:18\+xt*\f* and from under these heavens.”~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 10:11 \ft This is the only Aramaic v. in Jr.\f*
\q1
\v 12 He made the~earth by~his~power,
\q established the~world~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:12 \ft \+xt Jb 38:4; Ps 93:1; 96:10\+xt*\f* by~his~wisdom,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:12 \ft \+xt Pr 3:19–20; 8:22–29\+xt*\f*
\q and spread out the~heavens by~his~understanding.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:12 \ft \+xt Jb 9:8; Ps 104:2; Is 45:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 When he thunders,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:13 \ft Lit \fqa At his giving of the voice\f*
\q the~waters in~the~heavens are~in~turmoil,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:13 \ft \+xt Jr 5:22; 31:35\+xt*\f*
\q and he causes the~clouds to~rise
\q from~the~ends of~the~earth.
\q He makes lightning for~the~rain
\q and brings the~wind from~his~storehouses.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:13 \ft \+xt Jb 38:25–30,34–38; Ps 135:7\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 14 Everyone is~stupid and~ignorant.
\q Every goldsmith is~put~to~shame
\q by~his~carved~image,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:14 \ft \+xt Is 40:18–31; 46:1–7\+xt*\f*
\q for his cast images are a~lie;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:14 \ft \+xt Is 41:29\+xt*\f*
\q there is no~breath in~them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:14 \ft \+xt Hab 2:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 They are worthless, a~work to~be~mocked.
\q At the time of~their~punishment
\q they~will~be destroyed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:15 \ft \+xt Jr 8:12; 51:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 Jacob’s Portion~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft = the Lord\f* is not like~these
\q because he is the~one who~formed all~things.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7–8,19; Ps 94:9; 95:5\+xt*\f*
\q Israel is the~tribe of~his~inheritance;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft \+xt Dt 4:20; 32:8–9; Ps 74:2\+xt*\f*
\q the \nd Lord\nd* of~Armies is his~name.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:12–16 \ft \+xt Jr 51:15–19\+xt*\f*
\s1 Exile after the Siege
\q1
\v 17 Gather up your~belongings~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:17 \ft Lit \fqa bundle\f* from~the~ground,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:17 \ft \+xt Ezk 12:3\+xt*\f*
\q you who live under~siege.
\b
\p
\v 18 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Look, I am flinging~away~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:18 \ft \+xt 1Sm 25:29\+xt*\f*
\q the~land’s~residents at~this~time
\q and bringing them such~distress
\q that~they will~feel~it.
\s1 Jeremiah Grieves
\q1
\v 19 Woe to me because~of my~brokenness~—
\q I am severely~wounded!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:19 \ft \+xt Jr 14:17; 30:12; Nah 3:19\+xt*\f*
\q I exclaimed, “This~is my~intense~suffering,
\q but I must bear it.”
\q1
\v 20 My tent is~destroyed;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:20 \ft \+xt Jr 4:20\+xt*\f*
\q all my tent cords are~snapped.
\q My sons have~departed from~me and~are no~more.
\q I have no~one to~pitch my~tent~again
\q or to hang~up my~curtains.
\q1
\v 21 For the~shepherds are~stupid:
\q They don’t~seek the~\nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:21 \ft \+xt 2Ch 16:12; Is 9:13; 31:1\+xt*\f*
\q Therefore they~have not prospered,
\q and their whole flock is~scattered.
\q1
\v 22 Listen! A~noise~#—~#it~is~coming~—
\q a great commotion~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:22 \ft \+xt Jr 4:29; 6:22–23\+xt*\f* from~the~land to~the~north.
\q The cities of~Judah will~be made~desolate,
\q a jackals’ den.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:22 \ft \+xt Jr 9:11\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 23 I know,~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q that a~person’s~way of~life is~not his~own;
\q no one who~walks determines his~own~steps.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:23 \ft \+xt Ps 37:23; Pr 3:5–6; 16:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 Discipline me, \nd Lord\nd*, but~with~justice~—
\q not in~your~anger,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:24 \ft \+xt Ps 6:1; 38:1\+xt*\f*
\q or~you~will reduce~me to~nothing.
\q1
\v 25 Pour out your~wrath on~the~nations
\q that don’t recognize~you
\q and on~the~families
\q that don’t~call on~your~name,
\q for they have~consumed Jacob;
\q they have consumed~him and~finished him~off
\q and made his~homeland desolate.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:25 \ft \+xt Ps 79:6–7\+xt*\f*
\c 11
\s1 Reminder of the Covenant
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd*:
\v 2 “Listen to the words of this covenant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:2 \ft \+xt Dt 29:9\+xt*\f* and tell them to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem.
\v 3 Tell them, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: “Let a curse be on the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:3 \ft \+xt Dt 27:26; Gl 3:10\+xt*\f*
\v 4 which I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:4 \ft \+xt Dt 29:25; Jr 7:22; 34:13\+xt*\f* out of the iron furnace.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:4 \ft \+xt Dt 4:20; 1Kg 8:51\+xt*\f* I declared, “Obey me, and do everything that I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:4 \ft \+xt Dt 29:13; Jr 24:7; 30:22\+xt*\f*
\v 5 in order to establish the oath I swore to your ancestors,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:5 \ft \+xt Gn 26:3; Dt 7:8\+xt*\f* to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is today.’~”
\p I answered, “Amen, \nd Lord\nd*.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:5 \ft \+xt Dt 27:15–16\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 6 The \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: ‘Obey the words of this covenant and carry them out.’
\v 7 For I strongly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt until today, warning them time and time again,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 11:7 \ft Lit \fqa today, rising early and warning\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:7 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:15; Jr 7:13,25; 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14–15; 44:4\+xt*\f* ‘Obey me.’
\v 8 Yet they would not obey or pay attention; each one followed the stubbornness of his evil heart.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:8 \ft \+xt Jr 3:17; 7:24; 16:12\+xt*\f* So I brought on them all the curses of this covenant, because they had not done what I commanded them to do.”
\p
\v 9 The \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “A conspiracy has been discovered among the men of Judah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:9 \ft \+xt Ezk 22:25; Hs 6:9\+xt*\f* and the residents of Jerusalem.
\v 10 They have returned to the iniquities of their ancestors~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:10 \ft \+xt Lv 26:39–40; Neh 9:2; Is 65:7\+xt*\f* who refused to obey my words and have followed other gods to worship them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:10 \ft \+xt Dt 28:14; Jr 13:10; 35:15\+xt*\f* The house of Israel and the house of Judah broke my covenant I made with their ancestors.
\p
\v 11 “Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: I am about to bring on them disaster that they cannot escape.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:11 \ft \+xt Jr 39:4–7; Am 9:1–4\+xt*\f* They will cry out to me, but I will not hear them.
\v 12 Then the cities of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods they have been burning incense to, but they certainly will not save them in their time of disaster.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:12 \ft \+xt Dt 32:35–37\+xt*\f*
\v 13 Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, Judah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:13 \ft \+xt Jr 2:28\+xt*\f* and the altars you have set up to Shame~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 11:13 \ft = Baal\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:13 \ft \+xt Jr 3:24; Hs 9:10\+xt*\f*~#—~#altars to burn incense to Baal~#—~#as numerous as the streets of Jerusalem.
\p
\v 14 “As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:14 \ft \+xt Jr 7:16; 14:11\+xt*\f* for I will not be listening when they call out to me at the time of their disaster.
\q1
\v 15 What right does my~beloved~have
\q to~be in~my~house,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:15 \ft \+xt Jr 7:1–15\+xt*\f*
\q having carried out so~many evil~schemes?
\q Can holy meat~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 11:15 \ft = sacrificial meat\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:15 \ft \+xt Hg 2:12\+xt*\f* prevent your~disaster~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 11:15 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa meat pass from you\f*
\q so you can~celebrate?
\q1
\v 16 The \nd Lord\nd* named you
\q a flourishing olive~tree,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:16 \ft \+xt Ps 52:8; 128:3; Hs 14:6\+xt*\f*
\q beautiful with well-formed~fruit.
\q He has set fire to~it,
\q and its branches are~consumed~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 11:16 \ft Vg; MT reads \fqa broken\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:16 \ft \+xt Ezk 31:12\+xt*\f*
\q with the sound of a mighty tumult.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:16 \ft \+xt Ezk 1:24\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 17 “The \nd Lord\nd* of Armies who planted you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:17 \ft \+xt Is 5:2,7; Jr 2:21\+xt*\f* has decreed disaster against you, because of the disaster~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 11:17 \ft Or \fqa evil\f* the house of Israel and the house of Judah brought on themselves when they angered me by burning incense to Baal.”
\q1
\v 18 The \nd Lord\nd* informed me, so~I~knew.
\q Then you helped me to~see their~deeds,
\q1
\v 19 for I was like~a~docile~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 11:19 \ft Or \fqa pet\f*~lamb led to~slaughter.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:19 \ft \+xt Ps 44:11,22; Is 53:7; Jr 12:3\+xt*\f*
\q I didn’t know that they~had devised~plots against~me:
\q “Let’s destroy the~tree with~its~fruit;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 11:19 \ft Lit \fqa bread\f*
\q let’s cut him off from~the~land of~the~living~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:19 \ft \+xt Ps 27:13; Is 53:8; Ezk 26:20\+xt*\f*
\q so that his name will no~longer be~remembered.”
\q1
\v 20 But, \nd Lord\nd* of~Armies, who~judges~righteously,
\q who tests~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:20 \ft \+xt Jr 9:7; 12:3\+xt*\f* heart~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 11:20 \ft Lit \fqa kidneys\f* and~mind,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:20 \ft \+xt Ps 7:9; 17:3; 26:2\+xt*\f*
\q let me see your~vengeance on~them,
\q for I have presented my~case to~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:20 \ft \+xt Jr 20:12\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 21 Therefore, here is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning the people of Anathoth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:21 \ft \+xt Jr 1:1; 32:7–9\+xt*\f* who intend to take your life. They warn, “Do not prophesy in the name of the \nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:21 \ft \+xt Am 7:13\+xt*\f* or you will certainly die at our hand.”
\v 22 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says: “I am about to punish them. The young men will die by the sword; their sons and daughters will die by famine.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:21–22 \ft \+xt Am 7:16–17\+xt*\f*
\v 23 They will have no remnant, for I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:23 \ft \+xt Jr 23:12\+xt*\f* in the year of their punishment.”
\c 12
\s1 Jeremiah’s Complaint
\q1
\v 1 You will be righteous, \nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:15; Neh 9:8,33; Ps 119:137\+xt*\f*
\q even if I bring a~case against~you.
\q Yet, I wish to~contend with~you:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:1 \ft \+xt Jb 9:14–15; 13:13–28; 23:2–17\+xt*\f*
\q Why does the~way of~the~wicked prosper?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:1 \ft \+xt Ps 73\+xt*\f*
\q Why do all the~treacherous live at~ease?
\q1
\v 2 You planted them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:2 \ft \+xt Ps 1:3; Jr 17:7–8\+xt*\f* and~they have~taken~root.
\q They have~grown and~produced~fruit.
\q You are ever on~their~lips,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:2 \ft Lit \fqa are near in their mouth\f*
\q but far from their~conscience.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:2 \ft Lit \fqa kidneys\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:2 \ft \+xt Ps 28:3; Is 29:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 As for you, \nd Lord\nd*, you~know~me; you~see~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:3 \ft \+xt Ps 139; Jr 1:5\+xt*\f*
\q You test whether my~heart is with~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:3 \ft \+xt Ps 7:9; Jr 11:20\+xt*\f*
\q Drag the wicked away like~sheep to~slaughter~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:3 \ft \+xt Jr 11:19\+xt*\f*
\q and set them apart for~the~day of~killing.
\q1
\v 4 How long will the~land mourn~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:4 \ft \+xt Is 24:4–7; Jr 4:28; 23:10\+xt*\f*
\q and the grass of~every~field wither?
\q Because of the~evil of~its~residents,
\q animals and birds have~been swept~away,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:4 \ft \+xt Zph 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q for the people have~said,
\q “He cannot see what our~end will~be.”~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 12:4 \ft LXX reads \fqa see our ways\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:4 \ft \+xt Dt 32:20; Jb 22:13; Jr 29:11\+xt*\f*
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd*’s Response
\q1
\v 5 If you have raced with~runners
\q and they have~worn you~out,
\q how can you~compete with~horses?
\q If you stumble~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:5 \ft Or \fqa you are secure\f* in~a~peaceful~land,
\q what will you do in~the~thickets of~the~Jordan?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:5 \ft \+xt Jr 50:44\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 Even your brothers~#—~#your~own~father’s~family~—
\q even they were~treacherous to~you;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:6 \ft \+xt Jn 1:11\+xt*\f*
\q even they have cried~out~loudly after~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:6 \ft \+xt Jr 11:19\+xt*\f*
\q Do not have confidence in~them,
\q though they speak~well of~you.
\b
\q1
\v 7 I have abandoned my~house;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:7 \ft \+xt Ezk 8:1–11:25\+xt*\f*
\q I have deserted my~inheritance.
\q I have handed the~love of~my~life
\q over to~her~enemies.
\q1
\v 8 My inheritance has~behaved toward~me
\q like a lion in~the~forest.
\q She has roared against~me.
\q Therefore, I~hate~her.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:8 \ft \+xt Hs 9:15; Am 6:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 Is my inheritance like~a~hyena~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:9 \ft Hb obscure\f* to~me?
\q Are birds of~prey circling~her?
\q Go, gather all the~wild~animals;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:9 \ft \+xt Is 56:9; Jr 7:33\+xt*\f*
\q bring them to~devour~her.
\q1
\v 10 Many shepherds have~destroyed my~vineyard;
\q they have~trampled my~plot of~land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:10 \ft \+xt Is 63:18\+xt*\f*
\q They have~turned my~desirable~plot
\q into a~desolate~wasteland.
\q1
\v 11 They have made~it a~desolation.
\q It mourns, desolate, before~me.
\q All the land is~desolate,
\q but no one takes~it to~heart.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:11 \ft \+xt Is 42:25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 Over all the~barren~heights in~the~wilderness
\q the destroyers have~come,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* has~a~sword that~devours
\q from one end of~the~earth to~the~other.
\q No one has~peace.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:12 \ft \+xt 2Ch 15:5; Is 48:22; Ezk 13:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 They have sown~wheat but~harvested~thorns.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:13 \ft \+xt Lv 26:16; Dt 28:38; Hs 8:7; Mc 6:15; Hg 1:6\+xt*\f*
\q They have exhausted themselves but~have no~profit.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:13 \ft \+xt Is 55:2\+xt*\f*
\q Be put to shame by~your~harvests
\q because of the~\nd Lord\nd*’s burning~anger.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:13 \ft \+xt Jr 4:26; 25:37–38\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 14 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: “Concerning all my evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to my people, Israel, I am about to uproot them~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:14 \ft \+xt Jr 1:10; 18:7–8\+xt*\f* from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from them.
\v 15 After I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:15 \ft \+xt Jr 30:18; 31:20; 33:26; 42:12\+xt*\f* on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land.
\v 16 If they will diligently learn the ways of my people~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:16 \ft \+xt Is 2:2–4; Mc 4:1–5\+xt*\f*~#—~#to swear by my name, ‘As the \nd Lord\nd* lives,’ just as they taught my people to swear by Baal~#—~#they will be built up among my people.
\v 17 However, if they will not obey, then I will uproot and destroy that nation.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:17 \ft \+xt Is 60:12\+xt*\f*
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\c 13
\s1 Linen Underwear
\m
\v 1 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen undergarment~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:1 \ft \+xt Ex 39:27–29; Lv 16:4; Ezk 44:17–18\+xt*\f* and put it on.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:1 \ft Lit \fqa around your waist\f* But do not put it in water.”
\v 2 So I bought underwear as the \nd Lord\nd* instructed me and put it on.
\p
\v 3 Then the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me a second time:
\v 4 “Take the underwear that you bought and are wearing,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:4 \ft Lit \fqa wearing around your waist\f* and go at once to the Euphrates~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 13:4–7 \ft Perhaps a place near Anathoth with the same spelling as the river\f* and hide it in a rocky crevice.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:4 \ft \+xt Jr 51:63\+xt*\f*
\v 5 So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the \nd Lord\nd* commanded me.
\p
\v 6 A long time later the \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “Go at once to the Euphrates and get the underwear that I commanded you to hide there.”
\v 7 So I went to the Euphrates and dug up the underwear and got it from the place where I had hidden it, but it was ruined~#—~#of no use at all.
\p
\v 8 Then the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me:
\v 9 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Just like this I will ruin the great pride of both Judah and Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:9 \ft \+xt Lv 26:19\+xt*\f*
\v 10 These evil people, who refuse to listen to me, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:10 \ft \+xt Jr 16:12\+xt*\f* and who have followed other gods to serve and bow in worship~#—~#they will be like this underwear, of no use at all.
\v 11 Just as underwear clings to one’s waist, so I fastened the whole house of Israel and of Judah to me”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:11 \ft \+xt Dt 4:3–4; 10:20\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“so that they might be my people for my fame, praise, and glory,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:11 \ft \+xt Dt 26:19; Ezk 16:8–14\+xt*\f* but they would not obey.
\s1 The Wine Jars
\m
\v 12 “Say this to them: ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: Every jar should be filled with wine.’ Then they will respond to you, ‘Don’t we know that every jar should be filled with wine?~’
\v 13 And you will say to them, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: I am about to fill all who live in this land~#—~#the kings who reign for David on his throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the residents of Jerusalem~#—~#with drunkenness.
\v 14 I will smash them against each other, fathers and sons alike~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. I will allow no mercy, pity, or compassion to keep me from destroying them.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:14 \ft \+xt Lm 2:2,17,21; 3:43\+xt*\f*
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd*’s Warning
\q1
\v 15 Listen and pay attention. Do~not~be~proud,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* has~spoken.
\q1
\v 16 Give glory to~the~\nd Lord\nd* your~God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:16 \ft \+xt Jos 7:19; 1Sm 6:5; Ps 29:1–2\+xt*\f*
\q before he brings~darkness,
\q before your feet stumble
\q on the mountains at~dusk.
\q You wait for~light,
\q but he brings darkest~gloom~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:16 \ft Or \fqa brings a shadow of death\f*
\q and makes total~darkness.
\q1
\v 17 But if you will~not~listen,
\q my innermost being will~weep in~secret
\q because of your~pride.
\q My eyes will~overflow with~tears,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd*’s flock~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:17 \ft \+xt Ps 80:1; 95:7; Jr 23:1–4\+xt*\f* has~been taken~captive.
\b
\q1
\v 18 Say to the king and~the~queen~mother:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:18 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:12; Jr 22:26\+xt*\f*
\q Take a humble seat,
\q for your glorious~crowns
\q have fallen from~your~heads.
\q1
\v 19 The cities of~the~Negev are under~siege;
\q no one can help them.
\q All of Judah has~been~taken into~exile,
\q taken completely into~exile.
\q1
\v 20 Look up and~see
\q those coming from~the~north.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:20 \ft \+xt Jr 1:13–15; 4:6; 10:22\+xt*\f*
\q Where is the~flock entrusted to~you,
\q the sheep that~were your~pride?
\s1 The Destiny of Jerusalem
\q1
\v 21 What will you say when~he~appoints
\q close friends as~leaders over~you,
\q ones you yourself trained?
\q Won’t labor pains seize~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:21 \ft \+xt Ps 48:6; Is 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; Jr 4:31; 6:24; 22:23; 30:6; 50:43; Mc 4:9–10; 1Th 5:3\+xt*\f*
\q as they do a~woman in~labor?
\q1
\v 22 And when you ask~yourself,
\q “Why have these things happened to~me?~”
\q it is because of your~great~guilt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:22 \ft \+xt Jr 5:6; 30:15\+xt*\f*
\q that your skirts have~been stripped~off,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:22 \ft \+xt Ezk 16:37–39; Hs 2:3,10; Nah 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q your body exposed.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:22 \ft Lit \fqa your heels have suffered violence\f*
\q1
\v 23 Can the Cushite change his~skin,
\q or a leopard his~spots?
\q If so, you might be~able to~do what~is~good,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:23 \ft \+xt Ec 5:1; Jr 4:22; Hs 5:4\+xt*\f*
\q you who are~instructed in~evil.
\q1
\v 24 I will scatter you~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:24 \ft Lit \fqa them\f* like~drifting~chaff~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:24 \ft \+xt Jb 13:25; Ps 83:13; Is 40:24\+xt*\f*
\q before the~desert~wind.
\q1
\v 25 This is your~lot,
\q what I have decreed for~you~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q because you have forgotten~me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:25 \ft \+xt Ps 106:21; Jr 2:32; 18:15; Ezk 22:12; 23:35; Hs 8:14\+xt*\f*
\q and trusted in~lies.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:25 \ft \+xt Jr 3:23\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 I will pull your~skirts~up over~your~face
\q so that your~shame might~be~seen.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:26 \ft \+xt Is 47:2–3; Jr 49:10; Nah 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 Your adulteries and your~lustful~neighing,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:27 \ft \+xt Jr 2:23–24; 5:8\+xt*\f*
\q your~depraved~prostitution
\q on the hills, in~the~fields~—
\q I have seen your~abhorrent~acts.
\q Woe to you, Jerusalem!
\q You are~unclean~—
\q for how~long yet?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:27 \ft \+xt Hs 8:5\+xt*\f*
\c 14
\s1 The Drought
\m
\v 1 This is the word of the \nd Lord\nd* that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:1 \ft \+xt Jr 17:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 2 Judah mourns;
\q her city gates languish.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:2 \ft \+xt Is 3:26\+xt*\f*
\q Her people are on~the~ground in~mourning;
\q Jerusalem’s cry rises~up.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:2 \ft \+xt 1Sm 5:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 Their nobles send their~servants~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 14:3 \ft Lit \fqa little ones\f* for~water.
\q They go to~the~cisterns;
\q they find no~water;
\q their containers return~empty.
\q They are ashamed and~humiliated;
\q they cover their~heads.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:3 \ft \+xt Est 6:12; 7:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 The ground is~cracked
\q since no rain has~fallen on~the~land.
\q The farmers are~ashamed;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:4 \ft \+xt Jl 1:11\+xt*\f*
\q they cover their~heads.
\q1
\v 5 Even the doe in~the~field
\q gives birth and~abandons her~fawn
\q since there is no~grass.
\q1
\v 6 Wild donkeys stand on~the~barren~heights~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:6 \ft \+xt Jr 2:24\+xt*\f*
\q panting for air like~jackals.
\q Their eyes fail
\q because there~are no~green~plants.
\b
\q1
\v 7 Though our iniquities testify against~us,
\q \nd Lord\nd*, act for your~name’s~sake.
\q Indeed, our~rebellions~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:7 \ft \+xt Jr 2:19; 3:6,22; 5:6\+xt*\f* are~many;
\q we have sinned against~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:7 \ft \+xt Is 64:5; Jr 3:25; 8:14; 14:20; Lm 3:42; 5:16; Dn 9:5,11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Hope of~Israel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:8 \ft \+xt Jr 17:13; 50:7\+xt*\f*
\q its Savior in~time of~distress,
\q why are you like a~resident alien in~the~land,
\q like a traveler stopping only for~the~night?
\q1
\v 9 Why are you like~a~helpless~man,
\q like a warrior unable to~save?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:9 \ft \+xt Is 59:1\+xt*\f*
\q Yet you are among~us, \nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:9 \ft \+xt Ex 29:45\+xt*\f*
\q and we bear your~name.
\q Don’t leave us!
\b
\p
\v 10 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning these people:
\q Truly they love to~wander;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:10 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; Am 8:12\+xt*\f*
\q they never rest their~feet.
\q So the \nd Lord\nd* does~not accept~them.
\q Now he will remember their~iniquity
\q and punish their~sins.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:10 \ft \+xt Hs 8:13\+xt*\f*
\s1 False Prophets to Be Punished
\m
\v 11 Then the \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of these people.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:11 \ft \+xt Jr 7:16; 11:14; 15:1\+xt*\f*
\v 12 If they fast, I will not hear their cry of despair. If they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. Rather, I will finish them off by sword, famine, and plague.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:12 \ft \+xt Jr 5:12\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 13 And I replied, “Oh no, Lord \nd God\nd*! The prophets are telling them, ‘You won’t see sword or suffer famine. I will certainly give you lasting peace in this place.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:13 \ft \+xt Jr 4:10; 6:13–14; 8:10–12\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 14 But the \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “These prophets are prophesying a lie in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the deceit~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:14 \ft \+xt Ps 119:118; Jr 8:5; 23:26\+xt*\f* of their own minds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:14 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; 20:6; 23:25–26,32; 27:10,14–16; 29:9,21,31\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 15 “Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, ‘There will never be sword or famine in this land.’ By sword and famine these prophets will meet their end.
\v 16 The people they are prophesying to will be thrown into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. There will be no one to bury them~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:16 \ft \+xt Jr 7:33; 9:22\+xt*\f*~#—~#they, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. I will pour out their own evil on them.”
\s1 Jeremiah’s Request
\q1
\v 17 You are to speak this~word to~them:
\q Let my eyes overflow with~tears;
\q day and night may~they not~stop,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:17 \ft \+xt Jr 9:1,10; 13:17\+xt*\f*
\q for my dearest~people~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 14:17 \ft Lit \fqa for the virgin daughter of my people\f*
\q have been destroyed by~a~crushing~blow,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:17 \ft \+xt Jr 4:6; 6:1\+xt*\f*
\q an extremely severe~wound.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:17 \ft \+xt Jr 10:19; 30:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 If I go out to~the~field,
\q look~#—~#those slain by~the~sword!
\q If I enter the~city,
\q look~#—~#those ill~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:18 \ft \+xt Dt 29:22\+xt*\f* from~famine!
\q For both~prophet and~priest
\q travel to~a~land they~do~not~know.
\b
\q1
\v 19 Have you completely rejected~Judah?
\q Do you detest~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:19 \ft \+xt Lv 26:11,30,43–44\+xt*\f*~Zion?
\q Why do you strike~us
\q with no hope of~healing for~us?
\q We hoped for~peace,
\q but~there~was nothing~good;
\q for a time of~healing,
\q but~there~was only~terror.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:19 \ft \+xt Jr 8:15; 33:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 We acknowledge our~wickedness,~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q the iniquity of~our~ancestors;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:20 \ft \+xt Jr 3:25; 11:10; 16:12–13\+xt*\f*
\q indeed, we~have~sinned against~you.
\q1
\v 21 For your~name’s sake, don’t~despise~us.
\q Don’t disdain your~glorious~throne.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:21 \ft \+xt Dt 32:19; Jr 15:6; 17:12\+xt*\f*
\q Remember your~covenant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:21 \ft \+xt Lv 26:44; Jdg 2:1; Is 33:8\+xt*\f* with~us;
\q do not break it.
\q1
\v 22 Can any of~the~worthless~idols of~the~nations~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:22 \ft \+xt Jr 8:19; 10:8,15; 16:19\+xt*\f* bring~rain?
\q Or can the~skies~alone give~showers?
\q Are you not the~\nd Lord\nd* our~God?
\q We therefore put our~hope in~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:22 \ft \+xt Is 8:17; 25:9\+xt*\f*
\q for you have done all~these~things.
\c 15
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd*’s Negative Response
\m
\v 1 Then the \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:1 \ft \+xt Ex 32:11–14; 1Sm 7:9; 12:23; Ps 99:6; 106:23; Ezk 14:14\+xt*\f* should stand before me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:1 \ft \+xt Jr 15:19; 35:19\+xt*\f* my compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from my presence, and let them go.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:1 \ft \+xt Ex 6:1; 8:2; 9:2; 10:27; Jr 50:33\+xt*\f*
\v 2 If they ask you, ‘Where will we go?~’ tell them: This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Those destined for~death,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:2 \ft \+xt Jr 14:12; 43:11; Ezk 5:12; Zch 11:9\+xt*\f* to~death;
\q those destined for~the~sword, to~the~sword.
\q Those destined for~famine, to~famine;
\q those destined for~captivity, to~captivity.
\b
\p
\v 3 “I will ordain four kinds~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 15:3 \ft Lit \fqa families\f* of judgment for them”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:3 \ft \+xt Jr 22:19; 49:20–50:45\+xt*\f* and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:3 \ft \+xt Is 18:6; Jr 7:33; 19:7\+xt*\f* to devour and destroy.
\v 4 I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:4 \ft \+xt 2Kg 21:1–18; 2Ch 33:1–20\+xt*\f* son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.
\q1
\v 5 Who will have pity on~you, Jerusalem?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:5 \ft \+xt Lm 1:1–2; Am 5:2\+xt*\f*
\q Who will show sympathy toward~you?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:5 \ft \+xt Is 51:19; Nah 3:7\+xt*\f*
\q Who will turn~aside
\q to ask about your~well-being?
\q1
\v 6 You have left~me.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:6 \ft \+xt Dt 32:15\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q “You have turned your~back,
\q so I have stretched out my~hand against~you
\q and~destroyed~you.
\q I am tired~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:6 \ft \+xt Is 1:14; 7:13; Jr 6:11; 20:9\+xt*\f* of showing~compassion.
\q1
\v 7 I scattered them with~a~winnowing~fork
\q at the city gates of~the~land.
\q I made them childless; I~destroyed my~people.
\q They would not~turn from~their~ways.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:7 \ft \+xt Jdg 2:19; 2Kg 17:13; 2Ch 7:14; Neh 9:35; Jr 18:11; 25:5; 35:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 I made their~widows more~numerous
\q than the~sand of~the~seas.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:8 \ft \+xt Gn 22:17; 32:12; 41:49\+xt*\f*
\q I brought a destroyer at~noon
\q against the~mother of~young~men.
\q I suddenly released on~her
\q agitation and~terrors.
\q1
\v 9 The mother of~seven grew~faint;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:9 \ft \+xt Ru 4:15; 1Sm 2:5; Jb 42:13\+xt*\f*
\q she breathed her~last~breath.
\q Her sun set while~it~was still~day;
\q she was ashamed and~humiliated.
\q The rest of~them I~will give~over to~the~sword
\q in the presence of~their~enemies.”
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\s1 Jeremiah’s Complaint
\q1
\v 10 Woe is me, my~mother,
\q that~you gave~birth to~me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:10 \ft \+xt Jb 3:1–10\+xt*\f*
\q a man who~incites~dispute and~conflict
\q in~all the~land.
\q I did not lend or~borrow,
\q yet everyone curses~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:10 \ft \+xt Is 53:3\+xt*\f*
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd*’s Response
\m
\v 11 The \nd Lord\nd* said:
\q Haven’t I set you loose for your good?
\q Haven’t I punished you
\q in a time of~trouble,
\q in a time of~distress with~the~enemy?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 15:11 \ft Hb obscure\f*
\q1
\v 12 Can anyone smash~iron,
\q iron from the~north, or~bronze?
\q1
\v 13 I will give~up your~wealth
\q and your~treasures as~plunder,
\q without cost,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:13 \ft \+xt Ps 44:12; Is 52:3\+xt*\f* for all your~sins
\q in all your~borders.
\q1
\v 14 Then I will make you~serve your~enemies~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 15:14 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Tg; other Hb mss read \fqa you pass through\f*
\q in a land you~do~not~know,
\q for my anger will~kindle a~fire
\q that will burn against~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:13–14 \ft \+xt Dt 32:22; Jr 17:3–4; Ezk 32:9\+xt*\f*
\s1 Jeremiah’s Prayer for Vengeance
\q1
\v 15 You know,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:15 \ft \+xt Jr 12:3\+xt*\f* \nd Lord\nd*;
\q remember me and~take~note of~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:15 \ft \+xt Jdg 16:28; Neh 5:19; 13:14,22,31; Ps 106:4; Lk 23:42\+xt*\f*
\q Avenge me against~my~persecutors.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:15 \ft \+xt Jr 11:20\+xt*\f*
\q In your patience,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 15:15 \ft Lit \fqa In the slowness of your anger\f* don’t~take~me~away.
\q Know that I suffer disgrace for~your~honor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:15 \ft \+xt Ps 69:7–9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 Your words were~found, and~I~ate~them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:16 \ft \+xt Ezk 3:3\+xt*\f*
\q Your words became a~delight to~me
\q and the joy of~my~heart,
\q for I bear~your~name,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:16 \ft \+xt Jr 14:9\+xt*\f*
\q \nd Lord\nd* God of~Armies.
\q1
\v 17 I never sat with~the~band of~revelers,
\q and I did not celebrate with~them.
\q Because your hand was on~me, I~sat~alone,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:17 \ft \+xt 2Kg 3:15; Ps 102:7; Is 8:11; Lm 3:28\+xt*\f*
\q for you filled me with~indignation.
\q1
\v 18 Why has my pain become~unending,
\q my wound incurable,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:18 \ft \+xt Jr 19:8; 30:12,14,17\+xt*\f*
\q refusing to~be~healed?
\q You truly have become like~a~mirage to~me~—
\q water that is not~reliable.
\s1 Jeremiah Told to Repent
\m
\v 19 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q If you return, I~will~take~you back;
\q you will stand in~my~presence.
\q And if you speak noble~words,
\q rather~than worthless~ones,
\q you will be my~spokesman.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:19 \ft \+xt Ex 4:16\+xt*\f*
\q It is they who~must~return to~you;
\q you must not return to~them.
\q1
\v 20 Then I will make you a~fortified~wall of~bronze
\q to this people.
\q They will fight against~you
\q but will not overcome~you,
\q for I am with~you
\q to save you and~rescue~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:20 \ft \+xt Jr 1:8,19; 30:11; 42:11\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 21 I will rescue you from~the~power of~evil~people
\q and redeem you from~the~grasp of~the~ruthless.
\c 16
\s1 No Marriage for Jeremiah
\m
\v 1 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me:
\v 2 “Do not marry or have sons or daughters in this place.
\v 3 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning sons and daughters born in this place as well as concerning the mothers who bear them and the fathers who father them in this land:
\v 4 They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried but will be like manure on the soil’s surface.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:4 \ft \+xt Jr 8:2; 9:22; 25:33\+xt*\f* They will be finished off by sword and famine. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:4 \ft \+xt Dt 28:26; Is 18:6; Jr 7:33\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 5 “For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Don’t enter a house where a mourning feast is taking place.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:5 \ft Lit \fqa house of mourning\f* Don’t go to lament or sympathize with them, for I have removed my peace from these people as well as my faithful love and compassion.” This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:5 \ft \+xt Ps 25:6; 40:11; 69:16\+xt*\f*
\v 6 “Both great and small will die in this land without burial. No lament will be made for them, nor will anyone cut himself or~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:6 \ft \+xt Dt 14:1\+xt*\f* shave his head for them.~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 16:6 \ft This custom demonstrated pagan mourning rituals.\f*
\v 7 Food won’t be provided for the mourner~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:7 \ft \+xt Dt 26:14; Ezk 24:17; Hs 9:4\+xt*\f* to comfort him because of the dead. A consoling drink won’t be given him for the loss of his father or mother.
\v 8 Do not enter the house where feasting is taking place to sit with them to eat and drink.
\v 9 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to eliminate from this place, before your very eyes and in your time, the sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the groom and the bride.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:9 \ft \+xt Jr 7:34; 25:10; 33:11\+xt*\f*
\s1 Abandoning the \nd Lord\nd* and His Law
\m
\v 10 “When you tell these people all these things, they will say to you, ‘Why has the \nd Lord\nd* declared all this terrible disaster against us?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:10 \ft \+xt Jr 5:19\+xt*\f* What is our iniquity? What is our sin that we have committed against the \nd Lord\nd* our God?~’
\v 11 Then you will answer them, ‘Because your ancestors abandoned me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:11 \ft \+xt Dt 29:25; Jr 1:16; 2:13,17,19; 5:19; 17:13; 22:9\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#and followed other gods, served them, and bowed in worship to them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:11 \ft \+xt Dt 29:26\+xt*\f* Indeed, they abandoned me and did not keep my instruction.
\v 12 You did more evil than your ancestors.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:12 \ft \+xt Jr 7:26\+xt*\f* Look, each one of you was following the stubbornness of his evil heart, not obeying me.
\v 13 So I will hurl you from this land into a land that you and your ancestors have not known.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:13 \ft \+xt Jr 15:14; 17:4; 22:28\+xt*\f* There you will worship other gods~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:13 \ft \+xt Dt 4:28; 28:36,64\+xt*\f* both day and night, for I will not grant you grace.’~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:13 \ft Or \fqa compassion\f*
\p
\v 14 “However, look, the days are coming”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:14 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 19:6; 23:5; 48:12; 49:2; 51:47,52\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“when it will no longer be said, ‘As the \nd Lord\nd* lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:14–15 \ft \+xt Jr 23:7–8\+xt*\f*
\v 15 but rather, ‘As the \nd Lord\nd* lives who brought the Israelites from the land of the north~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:15 \ft \+xt Jr 3:18\+xt*\f* and from all the other lands where he had banished them.’ For I will return them to their land that I gave to their ancestors.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:15 \ft \+xt Jr 23:8\+xt*\f*
\s1 Punishment of Exile
\m
\v 16 “I am about to send for many fishermen”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:16 \ft \+xt Am 4:2; Hab 1:14–15\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“and they will fish for them. Then I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and out of the clefts of the rocks,
\v 17 for my gaze takes in all their ways.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:17 \ft \+xt 2Ch 16:9; Jb 34:21; Ps 90:8; Pr 5:21; Jr 32:19\+xt*\f* They are not concealed from me, and their iniquity is not hidden from my sight.
\v 18 I will first repay them double for their iniquity~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:18 \ft \+xt Is 40:2; Rv 18:6\+xt*\f* and sin because they have polluted my land. They have filled my inheritance with the carcasses of their abhorrent and detestable idols.”
\q1
\v 19 \nd Lord\nd*, my strength and~my~stronghold,
\q my refuge in~a~time of~distress,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:19 \ft \+xt Ps 37:39; Nah 1:7\+xt*\f*
\q the nations will~come to~you
\q from the ends of~the~earth, and~they~will~say,
\q “Our ancestors inherited only~lies,
\q worthless idols~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:19 \ft \+xt Jr 8:19; 10:8,15; 14:22\+xt*\f* of~no~benefit at~all.”
\q1
\v 20 Can one make gods for~himself?
\q But they are not~gods.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:20 \ft \+xt Gn 1:26; Jr 2:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 “Therefore, I am about to~inform~them,
\q and this time I~will make~them~know
\q my power and~my~might;
\q then they will know that~my~name is~the~\nd Lord\nd*.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:21 \ft \+xt Jr 33:2\+xt*\f*
\c 17
\s1 The Persistent Sin of Judah
\q1
\v 1 The sin of Judah is~inscribed
\q with an iron stylus.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:1 \ft \+xt Jb 19:24\+xt*\f*
\q With a diamond point
\q it is engraved on~the~tablet of~their~hearts~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:1 \ft \+xt Pr 3:3; 7:3; Jr 31:33–34\+xt*\f*
\q and on the horns of~their~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 17:1 \ft Some Hb mss, Syr, Vg; other Hb mss read \fqa your\f*~altars,
\q1
\v 2 while their children remember their~altars
\q and their Asherah poles, by~the~green~trees
\q on the high hills \f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:2 \ft \+xt Dt 16:21; 1Kg 14:23; 2Kg 17:10\+xt*\f*—
\q1
\v 3 my mountains in~the~countryside.
\q I will give up your~wealth
\q and all your treasures as~plunder~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:3 \ft \+xt Ps 44:10; Is 10:6; 42:22–24; Jr 20:5; 49:31–32; Ezk 7:21; 26:12; 29:19; 36:4; Am 3:11; Zph 1:13\+xt*\f*
\q because of the sin of~your~high~places~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 17:3 \ft Lit \fqa plunder, your high places because of sin\f*
\q in all your~borders.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:3 \ft \+xt Jr 15:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 You will, on your own, relinquish your~inheritance
\q that I gave you.
\q I will make you~serve your~enemies
\q in a land you~do~not~know,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:4 \ft \+xt Jr 16:13; 22:28; Ezk 32:9\+xt*\f*
\q for you have set my~anger on~fire;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:4 \ft \+xt Dt 32:22; Jr 15:14\+xt*\f*
\q it will burn~forever.
\s1 Curse and Blessing
\m
\v 5 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Cursed is the person who~trusts in~mankind.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:5 \ft \+xt Ps 146:3\+xt*\f*
\q He makes human~flesh his~strength,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:5 \ft \+xt 2Ch 32:8\+xt*\f*
\q and his~heart turns from~the~\nd Lord\nd*.
\q1
\v 6 He will be like~a~juniper in~the~Arabah;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:6 \ft \+xt Jr 48:6\+xt*\f*
\q he cannot see when~good~comes
\q but dwells in~the~parched~places in~the~wilderness,
\q in a salt land where~no~one~lives.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:6 \ft \+xt Gn 19:24–26; Ps 107:34\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 The~person who~trusts in~the~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q whose confidence indeed is the~\nd Lord\nd*, is blessed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:7 \ft \+xt Ps 40:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 He will be like~a~tree planted by~water:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:8 \ft \+xt Ps 1:3; Ezk 17:5–8\+xt*\f*
\q it sends its roots out toward~a~stream,
\q it doesn’t fear when~heat~comes,
\q and its foliage remains~green.
\q It will not worry in~a~year of~drought
\q or cease producing~fruit.
\s1 The Deceitful Heart
\q1
\v 9 The heart is more~deceitful than~anything~else,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:9 \ft \+xt Gn 6:5\+xt*\f*
\q and incurable~#—~#who~can~understand~it?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:9 \ft \+xt Jr 15:18; Mc 1:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 I, the \nd Lord\nd*, examine~the~mind,
\q I test the~heart~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 17:10 \ft Lit \fqa kidneys\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:10 \ft \+xt Dt 8:2; Ps 17:3; 26:2; Pr 16:2; 17:3\+xt*\f*
\q to give to each according~to his~way,
\q according to what his~actions~deserve.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:10 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18; 7:3,5; 18:11; 23:22; 25:5; 26:3,13; 32:19; Rm 2:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 He who makes a~fortune~unjustly
\q is like a partridge that~hatches~eggs it~didn’t~lay.
\q In the middle of~his~life
\q his~riches will~abandon~him,
\q so in the end he~will~be a~fool.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:11 \ft \+xt Lk 12:20\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 12 A glorious~throne~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:12 \ft \+xt Is 6:1–3; Jr 14:21; Ezk 1:26–28\+xt*\f*
\q on high~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:12 \ft \+xt Ps 102:19; Jr 25:30\+xt*\f* from~the~beginning
\q is the place of~our~sanctuary.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:12 \ft \+xt Ps 68:33–35; Is 60:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 \nd Lord\nd*, the~hope of~Israel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:13 \ft \+xt Jr 14:8; 50:7\+xt*\f*
\q all who abandon~you
\q will be put~to~shame.
\q All who turn away from~me
\q will be written in~the~dirt,
\q for they have~abandoned
\q the \nd Lord\nd*, the fountain of~living~water.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:13 \ft \+xt Jr 2:13\+xt*\f*
\s1 Jeremiah’s Plea
\q1
\v 14 Heal me, \nd Lord\nd*, and~I~will~be~healed;
\q save me, and~I~will~be~saved,
\q for you are my~praise.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:14 \ft \+xt Ps 22:25; 71:6; 109:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 Hear how they~keep challenging~me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:15 \ft \+xt Is 5:19; 2Pt 3:4\+xt*\f*
\q “Where is the~word of~the~\nd Lord\nd*?
\q Let it come!~”
\q1
\v 16 But I have not run away from~being your~shepherd,
\q and I have not longed~for the~fatal~day.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:16 \ft \+xt Am 5:18\+xt*\f*
\q You know my words were~spoken in~your~presence.
\q1
\v 17 Don’t become a~terror to~me.
\q You are my~refuge~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:17 \ft \+xt Ps 46:1; 61:3; 62:7–8\+xt*\f* in~the~day of~disaster.
\q1
\v 18 Let my persecutors be put~to~shame,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:18 \ft \+xt Ps 35:4\+xt*\f*
\q but~don’t let~me be put~to~shame.
\q Let them be terrified, but~don’t let~me be~terrified.
\q Bring on them the~day of~disaster;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:18 \ft \+xt Ps 35:8\+xt*\f*
\q shatter them with~total~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 17:18 \ft Lit \fqa double\f*~destruction.
\s1 Observing the Sabbath
\m
\v 19 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “Go and stand at the People’s Gate, through which the kings of Judah enter and leave, as well as at all the gates of Jerusalem.
\v 20 Announce to them, ‘Hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem who enter through these gates.
\v 21 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Watch yourselves; do not pick up a load and bring it in through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:21 \ft \+xt Neh 13:15–21; Jn 5:9–12\+xt*\f*
\v 22 Do not carry a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day or do any work,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:22 \ft \+xt Ex 20:8–10; Dt 5:12–14; Is 56:2–6\+xt*\f* but keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your ancestors.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:22 \ft \+xt Ezk 20:12\+xt*\f*
\v 23 They wouldn’t listen or pay attention but became obstinate,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:23 \ft \+xt Jr 7:26\+xt*\f* not listening or accepting discipline.
\p
\v 24 “~‘However, if you listen to me~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#and do not bring loads through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it,
\v 25 kings and princes will enter through the gates of this city. They will sit on the throne of David;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:25 \ft \+xt Jr 22:2,30; 29:16; 36:30\+xt*\f* they will ride in chariots and on horses~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:25 \ft \+xt Jr 22:4\+xt*\f* with their officials, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem. This city will be inhabited forever.
\v 26 Then people will come from the cities of Judah and from the area around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the Judean foothills, from the hill country and from the Negev~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:26 \ft \+xt Jr 32:44; 33:13\+xt*\f* bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and thanksgiving sacrifices to the house of the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 27 But if you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, I will set fire to its gates,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:27 \ft \+xt Lm 4:11\+xt*\f* and it will consume the citadels~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:27 \ft \+xt Jr 49:27; Am 1:14\+xt*\f* of Jerusalem~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:27 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:9\+xt*\f* and not be extinguished.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:27 \ft \+xt Jr 7:20\+xt*\f*
\c 18
\s1 Parable of the Potter
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd*:
\v 2 “Go down at once to the potter’s house;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:2 \ft \+xt Is 29:16; Jr 19:1–2\+xt*\f* there I will reveal my words to you.”
\v 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, working away at the wheel.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 18:3 \ft Lit \fqa pair of stones\f*
\v 4 But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:4 \ft \+xt Rm 9:21\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 5 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me:
\v 6 “House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?~”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. “Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:6 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7–8; Is 43:1; 64:8\+xt*\f*
\v 7 At one moment I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot, tear down, and destroy it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:7 \ft \+xt Jr 1:10; 24:6; 31:28\+xt*\f*
\v 8 However, if that nation about which I have made the announcement turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the disaster I had planned to do to it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:8 \ft \+xt 2Sm 24:1; Jr 42:10; Jnh 3:10\+xt*\f*
\v 9 At another time I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:9 \ft \+xt Jr 1:10\+xt*\f*
\v 10 However, if it does what is evil in my sight by not listening to me, I will relent concerning the good I had said I would do to it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:10 \ft \+xt Ezk 18:25–29; 33:12–13\+xt*\f*
\v 11 So now, say to the men of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Look, I am about to bring harm to you and make plans against you. Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:11 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18; 7:3; 35:15\+xt*\f*
\v 12 But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:12 \ft \+xt Is 57:12; Jr 2:25\+xt*\f* We will continue to follow our plans, and each of us will continue to act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’~”
\s1 Deluded Israel
\m
\v 13 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Ask among the~nations,
\q who has heard things like~these?
\q Virgin Israel has~done a~most~horrible~thing.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:13 \ft \+xt Jr 5:30; Hs 6:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Does the snow of~Lebanon ever~leave the~highland~crags?
\q Or does cold water flowing from~a~distance ever~fail?
\q1
\v 15 Yet my people have~forgotten~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:15 \ft \+xt Jr 2:32; 3:21; 13:25; Ezk 22:12; 23:35; Hs 8:14\+xt*\f*
\q They burn incense to~worthless~idols
\q that make them stumble in~their~ways~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:15 \ft \+xt Ezk 14:3,4,7; 44:12; Rv 2:14\+xt*\f*
\q on the ancient roads,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:15 \ft \+xt Jr 6:16\+xt*\f*
\q and make them walk on new paths, not~the~highway.
\q1
\v 16 They~have~made their~land a~horror,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:16 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 19:8; 25:9,18; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12,22; 50:13; Mc 6:16; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f*
\q a perpetual object of~scorn;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 18:16 \ft Lit \fqa hissing\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:16 \ft \+xt Lm 2:15\+xt*\f*
\q all who~pass by~it will~be~appalled~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:16 \ft \+xt Jr 19:8; 49:17\+xt*\f*
\q and shake their~heads.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:16 \ft \+xt Jb 2:11; 42:11; Ps 22:7; 69:20; Is 51:19; Jr 15:5; 48:27; Nah 3:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 I will scatter them before~the~enemy like~the~east~wind.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:17 \ft \+xt Ex 10:13; 14:21; Jb 27:21; 38:24; Ps 48:7; Is 27:8; Jr 13:24\+xt*\f*
\q I will show~them~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 18:17 \ft LXX, Lat, Syr, Tg; MT reads \fqa will look at them\f* my~back and~not my~face~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:17 \ft \+xt 2Ch 29:6; Jr 2:27; 32:33; Ezk 8:16\+xt*\f*
\q on the day of~their~calamity.
\s1 Plot against Jeremiah
\m
\v 18 Then certain ones said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:18 \ft \+xt Jr 11:19\+xt*\f* for instruction will never be lost from the priest,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:18 \ft \+xt Jr 2:8,26; 5:31; 6:13; 8:10; 13:13; 23:11,33; Ezk 7:26; Mc 3:11; Zph 3:4\+xt*\f* or counsel from the wise, or a word from the prophet.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:18 \ft \+xt Jr 5:13\+xt*\f* Come, let’s denounce him~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 18:18 \ft Lit \fqa let’s strike him with the tongue\f* and pay no attention to all his words.”
\q1
\v 19 Pay attention to me, \nd Lord\nd*.
\q Hear what my~opponents are~saying!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:19 \ft \+xt Ps 55:2–3; 142:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 Should good be repaid with~evil?
\q Yet they have dug a~pit for~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:20 \ft \+xt Ps 35:7; 57:6\+xt*\f*
\q Remember how~I~stood before~you
\q to speak good on~their~behalf,
\q to turn your anger from~them.
\q1
\v 21 Therefore, hand~their~children over~to~famine,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:21 \ft \+xt Ps 109:9–20\+xt*\f*
\q and give them over to the power of the sword.
\q Let their wives become~childless and~widowed,
\q their husbands slain by~deadly~disease,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 18:21 \ft Lit \fqa by death\f*
\q their young men struck~down by~the~sword in~battle.
\q1
\v 22 Let a cry be heard from~their~houses
\q when you suddenly bring~raiders against~them,
\q for they have dug a~pit to~capture~me
\q and have hidden snares for~my~feet.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:22 \ft \+xt Ps 140:5; 142:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 But you, \nd Lord\nd*, know
\q all their deadly plots against~me.
\q Do not wipe out their~iniquity;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:23 \ft \+xt Neh 4:5\+xt*\f*
\q do not blot out their~sin before~you.
\q Let them be forced to~stumble before~you;
\q deal with them in~the~time of~your~anger.
\c 19
\s1 The Clay Jar
\m
\v 1 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: “Go, buy a potter’s clay~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:1 \ft \+xt Jr 18:2\+xt*\f* jar. Take~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 19:1 \ft Syr, Tg; MT omits \fqa Take\f* some of the elders of the people and some of the leading priests~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 19:2\+xt*\f*
\v 2 and go out to Ben Hinnom Valley~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:2 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:10; 2Ch 28:3; Jr 7:31–32\+xt*\f* near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. Proclaim there the words I speak to you.
\v 3 Say, ‘Hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:3 \ft \+xt Jr 17:20\+xt*\f* This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such a disaster on this place that everyone who hears about it will shudder~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:3 \ft Lit \fqa about it, his ears will tingle\ft ; Hb obscure\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:3 \ft \+xt 1Sm 3:11; 2Kg 21:12\+xt*\f*
\v 4 because they have abandoned me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:4 \ft \+xt Dt 28:20; 31:16; 1Sm 8:8; 1Kg 11:33; 2Kg 22:17; 2Ch 34:25; Jr 1:16; 5:7\+xt*\f* and made this a foreign place. They have burned incense in it to other gods that they, their ancestors, and the kings of Judah have never known. They have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:4 \ft \+xt Dt 19:10; 27:25; 2Kg 21:6,16; 24:4; Is 59:7; Jr 2:34\+xt*\f*
\v 5 They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, something I have never commanded or mentioned; I never entertained the thought.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:5 \ft Lit \fqa mentioned, and it did not arise on my heart\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:5 \ft \+xt Jr 7:31; 32:35\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 6 “~‘Therefore, look, the days are coming~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:6 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 16:14; 23:5; 48:12; 49:2; 51:47,52\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#when this place will no longer be called Topheth and Ben Hinnom Valley, but Slaughter Valley.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:6 \ft \+xt Jr 25:34\+xt*\f*
\v 7 I will spoil the plans of Judah and Jerusalem in this place. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hand of those who intend to take their life. I will provide their corpses as food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:7 \ft \+xt Dt 28:26; Ps 79:2; Jr 7:33; 15:3; 16:4\+xt*\f*
\v 8 I will make this city desolate, an object of scorn. Everyone who passes by it will be appalled and scoff because of all its wounds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:8 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 25:9,18; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12,22; 49:17; 50:13; Mc 1:9; 6:16; Nah 3:19; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f*
\v 9 I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and their daughters, and they will eat each other’s flesh in the distressing siege inflicted on them by their enemies who intend to take their life.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:9 \ft \+xt Dt 28:53–57; Lm 4:10; Ezk 5:10\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 10 “Then you are to shatter the jar in the presence of the people going with you,
\v 11 and you are to proclaim to them, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says: I will shatter these people and this city, like one shatters a potter’s jar that can never again be mended. They will bury the dead in Topheth because there is no other place for burials.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:11 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32\+xt*\f*
\v 12 That is what I will do to this place~#—~#this is the declaration of the \nd Lord\nd*~#—~#and to its residents, making this city like Topheth.
\v 13 The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will become impure like that place Topheth~#—~#all the houses on whose rooftops they have burned incense to all the stars in the sky~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:13 \ft \+xt Dt 4:19; 2Kg 17:16; 23:4–5; Zph 1:5\+xt*\f* and poured out drink offerings to other gods.’~”
\p
\v 14 Jeremiah returned from Topheth, where the \nd Lord\nd* had sent him to prophesy, stood in the courtyard of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:14 \ft \+xt 2Ch 20:5; Jr 26:2\+xt*\f* and proclaimed to all the people,
\v 15 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to bring on this city~#—~#and on all its cities~#—~#every disaster that I spoke against it, for they have become obstinate, not obeying my words.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:15 \ft \+xt Jr 7:26\+xt*\f*
\c 20
\s1 Jeremiah Beaten by Pashhur
\m
\v 1 Pashhur the priest,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:1 \ft \+xt 1Ch 9:12; Jr 21:1; 38:1\+xt*\f* the son of Immer~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:1 \ft \+xt 1Ch 24:14; Ezr 2:37–38\+xt*\f* and chief official in the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.
\v 2 So Pashhur had the prophet Jeremiah beaten and put him in the stocks~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:2 \ft \+xt Jb 13:27; Jr 29:26; Ac 16:24\+xt*\f* at the Upper Benjamin Gate~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:2 \ft \+xt Jr 37:13; 38:7; Zch 14:10\+xt*\f* in the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple.
\v 3 The next day, when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, “The \nd Lord\nd* does not call you Pashhur, but Terror Is on Every Side,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 20:3 \ft = \fqa Magor-missabib\f*
\v 4 for this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says, ‘I am about to make you a terror to both yourself and those you love.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:4 \ft \+xt Jr 6:25; 20:10; 46:5\+xt*\f* They will fall by the sword of their enemies before your very eyes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:4 \ft \+xt 2Sm 12:11; Is 1:7; Jr 16:9; 29:21; 39:16; 51:24\+xt*\f* I will hand Judah over to the king of Babylon, and he will deport them to Babylon and put them to the sword.
\v 5 I will give away all the wealth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:5 \ft \+xt Pr 15:6\+xt*\f* of this city, all its products~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:5 \ft \+xt Dt 28:33; Ezk 23:29\+xt*\f* and valuables. Indeed, I will hand all the treasures of the kings of Judah over to their enemies. They will plunder them, seize them, and carry them off to Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:5 \ft \+xt 2Kg 20:17; 21:14; Lm 2:7\+xt*\f*
\v 6 As for you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house, you will go into captivity. You will go to Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:6 \ft \+xt Jr 34:3; Mc 4:10\+xt*\f* There you will die, and there you will be buried, you and all your friends to whom you prophesied lies.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:6 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; 14:13–14; 23:25–26,32; 27:10,14–16; 29:9,21,31\+xt*\f*
\s1 Jeremiah Compelled to Preach
\q1
\v 7 You deceived~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:7 \ft \+xt 1Kg 20:20–22; 2Ch 18:20; Jr 15:18\+xt*\f* me, \nd Lord\nd*, and~I~was~deceived.
\q You seized me and~prevailed.
\q I am a laughingstock all~the~time;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:7 \ft \+xt Gn 38:23; Jb 12:4; Ps 44:14; Jr 48:26–27,39; Lm 2:15–17; 3:14\+xt*\f*
\q everyone ridicules me.
\q1
\v 8 For whenever I speak, I~cry~out,
\q I proclaim, “Violence and~destruction!~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:8 \ft \+xt Jr 6:7\+xt*\f*
\q so the word of~the~\nd Lord\nd* has~become my
\q constant disgrace and~derision.
\q1
\v 9 I say, “I~won’t~mention~him
\q or speak any longer in~his~name.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:9 \ft \+xt Ex 5:23; Dt 18:20; Ac 5:40\+xt*\f*
\q But his message becomes a~fire~burning in~my~heart,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:9 \ft \+xt Jb 32:18–20; Ps 39:3\+xt*\f*
\q shut up in~my~bones.
\q I become tired of~holding it~in,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:9 \ft \+xt Jr 6:11; Am 3:8; 1Co 9:16\+xt*\f*
\q and I cannot prevail.
\q1
\v 10 For I have heard the~gossip of~many~people,
\q “Terror is on every side!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:10 \ft \+xt Jr 6:25; 20:3; 46:5; 49:29\+xt*\f*
\q Report him; let’s~report~him!~”
\q Everyone I trusted~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:10 \ft Lit \fqa Every man of my peace\f* watches for~my~fall.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:10 \ft \+xt Ps 35:15; 41:9; 56:6\+xt*\f*
\q “Perhaps he will~be~deceived
\q so that we might prevail against~him
\q and take our vengeance on~him.”
\q1
\v 11 But the \nd Lord\nd* is with~me like~a~violent~warrior.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:11 \ft \+xt Ex 15:3\+xt*\f*
\q Therefore, my persecutors will~stumble and~not~prevail.
\q Since they have not succeeded, they~will~be utterly~shamed,
\q an everlasting humiliation that~will never be~forgotten.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:11 \ft \+xt Mc 3:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, testing the~righteous
\q and seeing the~heart~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:12 \ft Lit \fqa kidneys\f* and~mind,
\q let me see your~vengeance on~them,
\q for I have presented my~case to~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:12 \ft \+xt Jr 11:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Sing to the \nd Lord\nd*!
\q Praise the \nd Lord\nd*,
\q for he rescues the~life of~the~needy
\q from evil~people.
\s1 Jeremiah’s Lament
\q1
\v 14 May the day I was~born
\q be~cursed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:14 \ft \+xt Jb 3:3\+xt*\f*
\q May the day my mother bore~me
\q never be~blessed.
\q1
\v 15 May the man be~cursed
\q who brought the~news to~my~father,~saying,
\q “A male child is~born to~you,”
\q bringing him great joy.
\q1
\v 16 Let that man be like~the~cities
\q the \nd Lord\nd* demolished without~compassion.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:16 \ft \+xt Gn 19:25\+xt*\f*
\q Let him hear an outcry in~the~morning~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:16 \ft \+xt Jr 18:22\+xt*\f*
\q and a war cry at~noontime
\q1
\v 17 because he didn’t kill me in~the~womb~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:17 \ft \+xt Jb 3:10–11\+xt*\f*
\q so that my mother might~have~been my~grave,
\q her womb eternally~pregnant.
\q1
\v 18 Why did I come out of~the~womb
\q to see only struggle and~sorrow,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:18 \ft \+xt Jb 3:20; Lm 3:1\+xt*\f*
\q to end my life in~shame?
\c 21
\s1 Zedekiah’s Request Denied
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd* when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:1 \ft \+xt 1Ch 9:12; Neh 11:12; Jr 38:1\+xt*\f* son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:1 \ft \+xt Jr 29:24–29; 37:3; 52:24–27\+xt*\f* son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah, asking,
\v 2 “Inquire of the \nd Lord\nd* on our behalf, since King Nebuchadnezzar~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:2 \ft Lit \fqa Nebuchadrezzar\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:2 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:11; 25:22; 2Ch 36:6–13\+xt*\f* of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the \nd Lord\nd* will perform for us something like all his past wondrous works so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”
\p
\v 3 But Jeremiah answered, “This is what you are to say to Zedekiah:
\v 4 ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: I am about to repel the weapons of war in your hands,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:4 \ft \+xt Jr 32:5; 37:8–10\+xt*\f* those you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 21:4 \ft = Babylonians\f* who are besieging you outside the wall, and I will bring them into the center of this city.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:4 \ft \+xt Is 13:4\+xt*\f*
\v 5 I myself will fight against you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:5 \ft \+xt 1Sm 4:1–5:12; Lm 2:5\+xt*\f* with an outstretched hand and a strong arm,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:5 \ft \+xt Dt 5:15; 26:8; 1Kg 8:42; Ps 136:12\+xt*\f* with anger, fury, and intense wrath.
\v 6 I will strike the residents of this city, both people and animals. They will die in a severe plague.
\v 7 Afterward~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#King Zedekiah of Judah, his officers, and the people~#—~#those in this city who survive the plague, the sword, and the famine~#—~#I will hand over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:7 \ft \+xt Jr 37:17; 39:5–9; 52:9\+xt*\f* to their enemies, yes, to those who intend to take their lives. He will put them to the sword; he won’t spare them or show pity or compassion.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:7 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:17\+xt*\f*
\s1 A Warning for the People
\m
\v 8 “But tell this people, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:8 \ft \+xt Dt 30:15–19; Pr 12:28; Jr 8:3\+xt*\f*
\v 9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils of war.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:9 \ft \+xt Jr 38:2; 39:18; 45:5\+xt*\f*
\v 10 For I have set my face against this city to bring disaster and not good~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:10 \ft \+xt Jr 31:28; 39:16; 44:11,27; Am 9:4\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, who will burn it.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:10 \ft \+xt Jr 34:2,22; 37:8; 38:18\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 11 “And to the house of the king of Judah say this: ‘Hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*!
\v 12 House of David, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Administer justice every~morning,
\q and rescue the~victim of~robbery
\q from~his~oppressor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:12 \ft \+xt Dt 28:29; Ec 4:1; Jr 22:3\+xt*\f*
\q or my anger will~flare~up like~fire
\q and burn unquenchably
\q because of your~evil~deeds.
\q1
\v 13 Beware! I am against~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:13 \ft \+xt Ezk 13:8\+xt*\f*
\q you~who~sit above~the~valley,
\q you atop the~rocky~plateau~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q you who say, “Who~can come~down against~us?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:13 \ft \+xt Jr 49:4\+xt*\f*
\q Who can enter our hiding~places?~”
\q1
\v 14 I will punish you according~to what~you~have~done~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:14 \ft \+xt Is 3:10\+xt*\f*~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q I will kindle a~fire in~your~forest~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:14 \ft \+xt Ezk 20:47\+xt*\f*
\q that will consume everything around~it.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:14 \ft \+xt Jr 50:32\+xt*\f*
\c 22
\s1 Judgment against Sinful Kings
\m
\v 1 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and announce this word there.
\v 2 You are to say, ‘Hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:2 \ft \+xt 2Sm 3:10; 1Kg 2:12,24,45; Is 9:7; Jr 17:25; 22:30; 29:16; 36:30\+xt*\f*~#—~#you, your officers, and your people who enter these gates.
\v 3 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Administer justice and righteousness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:3 \ft \+xt 2Sm 8:15; 1Kg 10:9; 2Ch 9:8; Is 33:5; 59:14; Jr 9:24; 23:5; 33:15; Am 5:7,24\+xt*\f* Rescue the victim of robbery from his oppressor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:3 \ft \+xt Dt 28:29; Ps 35:10; Ec 4:1; Jr 21:12\+xt*\f* Don’t exploit or brutalize the resident alien, the fatherless, or the widow.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:3 \ft \+xt Dt 14:29; 24:17,19–21; 27:19; Ps 146:9; Jr 7:6; Ezk 22:7\+xt*\f* Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.
\v 4 For if you conscientiously carry out this word, then kings sitting on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this palace~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:4 \ft \+xt Jr 17:25\+xt*\f* riding on chariots and horses~#—~#they, their officers, and their people.
\v 5 But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by myself~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:5 \ft \+xt Gn 22:16; 1Sm 3:14; Ps 89:3,35; Is 45:23; 54:9; Jr 44:26; 49:13\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#that this house will become a ruin.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:5 \ft \+xt Jr 17:27\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 6 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning the house of the king of Judah:
\q “You are like~Gilead~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:6 \ft \+xt Sg 4:1; Jr 8:22; 46:11; 50:19; Mc 7:14; Zch 10:10\+xt*\f* to~me,
\q or the summit of~Lebanon,
\q but I will certainly turn you into~a~wilderness,
\q uninhabited cities.
\q1
\v 7 I will set apart destroyers~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:7 \ft \+xt Ex 12:23; 2Sm 24:16; Is 54:16\+xt*\f* against~you,
\q each with his~weapons.
\q They will cut down the~choicest of~your~cedars
\q and throw them into~the~fire.
\b
\p
\v 8 “Many nations will pass by this city and ask one another, ‘Why did the \nd Lord\nd* do such a thing to this great city?~’
\v 9 They will answer, ‘Because they abandoned the covenant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:8–9 \ft \+xt Dt 29:24–25; 1Kg 19:10,14\+xt*\f* of the \nd Lord\nd* their God and bowed in worship to other gods and served them.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:9 \ft \+xt Dt 30:17\+xt*\f*
\s1 A Message concerning Shallum
\q1
\v 10 Do not weep for~the~dead;
\q do not mourn for~him.
\q Weep bitterly for~the~one who~has~gone~away,
\q for he will never~return~again
\q and see his~native~land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:10 \ft \+xt 2Sm 12:22–23\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 11 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning Shallum~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:11 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:32–35; 1Ch 3:15\+xt*\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah, who became king in place of his father Josiah, and who has left this place: “He will never return here again,
\v 12 but he will die in the place where they deported him, never seeing this land again.”
\s1 A Message concerning Jehoiakim
\q1
\v 13 Woe for the one who~builds his~palace
\q through unrighteousness,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:13 \ft \+xt Mc 3:10\+xt*\f*
\q his upstairs rooms through~injustice,
\q who makes his~neighbor serve without~pay
\q and will not give him his~wages,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:13 \ft \+xt Lv 19:13; Jms 5:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 who says, “I~will build~myself a~massive~palace,
\q with spacious upstairs~rooms.”
\q He will cut~windows~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 22:14 \ft Lit \fqa my windows\f* in~it,
\q and it will be~paneled with~cedar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:14 \ft \+xt 1Kg 6:9,15,18; 7:3,7\+xt*\f*
\q and painted bright red.
\q1
\v 15 Are you a king because~you~excel in~cedar?
\q Didn’t your father eat~and~drink
\q and administer justice and~righteousness?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:15 \ft \+xt Jr 22:3\+xt*\f*
\q Then it went well with~him.
\q1
\v 16 He took up the~case of~the~poor and~needy;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:16 \ft \+xt Dt 24:14\+xt*\f*
\q then it went well.
\q Is this not what~it~means to~know~me?
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 17 But you have eyes and~a~heart for~nothing
\q except your own dishonest~profit,
\q shedding innocent~blood
\q and committing extortion and~oppression.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:17 \ft \+xt Is 30:12; 59:9–15; Jr 6:6; Ezk 22:7,12,29; Mc 3:11; Hab 1:3\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 18 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning Jehoiakim~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:18 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:34–24:6; 2Ch 36:4–8\+xt*\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah:
\q They will not mourn for~him,~saying,
\q “Woe, my brother!~” or “Woe, my~sister!~”
\q They will not mourn for~him,~saying,
\q “Woe, lord! Woe, his~majesty!~”
\q1
\v 19 He will be buried like~a~donkey,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:19 \ft \+xt Jr 36:30\+xt*\f*
\q dragged off and~thrown
\q outside Jerusalem’s gates.
\q1
\v 20 Go up to Lebanon and~cry~out;
\q raise your voice in~Bashan;
\q cry out from~Abarim,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:20 \ft \+xt Nm 27:12; Dt 32:49\+xt*\f*
\q for all your lovers~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 22:20 \ft Or \fqa friends\ft , or \fqa allies\ft , also in v.~22\f* have~been~crushed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:20 \ft \+xt Jr 3:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 I spoke to you when you~were~secure.
\q You said, “I~will~not~listen.”
\q This has been your~way since~youth;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:21 \ft \+xt Jr 3:25\+xt*\f*
\q indeed, you have never~listened to~me.
\q1
\v 22 The wind will take charge of~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 22:22 \ft Lit \fqa will shepherd\f*~all your~shepherds,
\q and your lovers will~go into~captivity.
\q Then you will be~ashamed and~humiliated~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:22 \ft \+xt Is 41:11\+xt*\f*
\q because of all~your~evil.
\q1
\v 23 You residents of~Lebanon,
\q nestled among~the~cedars,
\q how you will groan~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 22:23 \ft LXX, Syr, Vg; MT reads \fqa will be pitied\f* when~pains come~on~you,
\q agony like~a~woman in~labor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:23 \ft \+xt Ps 48:6; Is 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; Jr 4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 30:6; 50:43; Mc 4:9–10; 1Th 5:3\+xt*\f*
\s1 A Message concerning Coniah
\m
\v 24 “As I live”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“though you, Coniah~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 22:24 \ft = Jehoiachin\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:24 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:6–17; Jr 37:1; 52:31\+xt*\f* son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, were a signet ring~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:24 \ft \+xt Gn 38:18; 1Kg 21:8; Hg 2:23\+xt*\f* on my right hand, I would tear you from it.
\v 25 In fact, I will hand you over to those you dread,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:25 \ft \+xt Jr 34:20–21\+xt*\f* who intend to take your life, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans.
\v 26 I will hurl you and the mother who gave birth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:26 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:15\+xt*\f* to you into another land,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:26 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:8\+xt*\f* where neither of you were born, and there you will both die.
\v 27 They will never return to the land they long to return to.”
\q1
\v 28 Is this man Coniah a~despised,~shattered~pot,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:28 \ft \+xt Ps 31:12; Jr 48:38; Hs 8:8\+xt*\f*
\q a jar no~one~wants?
\q Why are he and~his~descendants hurled~out
\q and cast into~a~land they~have~not~known?
\q1
\v 29 Earth, earth, earth,
\q hear the word of~the~\nd Lord\nd*!
\b
\p
\v 30 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Record this man as~childless,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:30 \ft \+xt 1Ch 3:17; Mt 1:12\+xt*\f*
\q a man who will not be~successful in~his~lifetime.
\q None of his descendants will~succeed
\q in sitting on~the~throne of~David~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:30 \ft \+xt Jr 36:30\+xt*\f*
\q or ruling again in~Judah.
\c 23
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd* and His Sheep
\m
\v 1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:1 \ft \+xt Ps 100:3; Ezk 34:2,31; Zch 11:5–7,15–17\+xt*\f* This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\v 2 “Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend my people: You have scattered my flock,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:2 \ft \+xt Jr 10:21; 50:6; Ezk 34:5,12,31\+xt*\f* banished them, and have not attended to them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:2 \ft \+xt Ps 8:4; Is 23:16; Ezk 34:3\+xt*\f* I am about to attend to you because of your evil acts”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\v 3 “I will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands where I have banished them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:3 \ft \+xt Ezk 34:12–13\+xt*\f* and I will return them to their grazing land. They will become fruitful and numerous.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:3 \ft \+xt Gn 1:26–28; 9:1–7; 35:11\+xt*\f*
\v 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:4 \ft \+xt Ezk 34:23; Mc 5:2–6\+xt*\f* They will no longer be afraid or discouraged, nor will any be missing.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:4 \ft \+xt Ezk 34:25; Mc 7:14\+xt*\f* This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\s1 The Righteous Branch of David
\q1
\v 5 “Look, the days are coming”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:5 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 9:25; 16:14; 19:6; 23:5,7; 30:3; 31:27,31; 33:14–16; 48:12; 49:2; 51:47,52\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q “when I will raise up a~Righteous Branch~for~David.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:5 \ft \+xt 1Kg 12:16; Is 4:2; 55:3–4; Jr 30:9; 33:15; Ezk 34:23; 37:24–25; Hs 3:5; Zch 3:8; 6:12\+xt*\f*
\q He will reign wisely as~king
\q and administer justice and righteousness in~the~land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:5 \ft \+xt 1Ch 18:14; Ps 99:4; Is 9:7; 11:1–9; 33:5; Jr 9:24; 22:15; 33:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 In his days Judah will be~saved,
\q and Israel will dwell~securely.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:6 \ft \+xt Dt 33:12,28; Ps 16:9; Pr 1:33; Jr 33:16\+xt*\f*
\q This is the name he will be~called:
\q The \nd Lord\nd* Is~Our~Righteousness.~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 23:6 \ft = \fqa Yahweh-zidkenu\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:6 \ft \+xt Ps 4:1; Jr 33:16; 1Co 1:30\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 7 “Look, the days are coming”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:7 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 16:14; 19:6; 48:12; 49:2; 51:47,52\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“when it will no longer be said, ‘As the \nd Lord\nd* lives~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:7 \ft \+xt Jdg 8:19; 1Sm 14:39,45; 2Sm 4:9; 1Kg 1:29; 2:24; Jr 4:1–2; 5:2; 16:14–15; 38:16; Hs 4:15\+xt*\f* who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’
\v 8 but, ‘As the \nd Lord\nd* lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from all the other countries where I~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 23:8 \ft LXX reads \fqa he\f* had banished them.’ They will dwell once more in their own land.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:8 \ft \+xt Jr 16:15\+xt*\f*
\s1 False Prophets Condemned
\m
\v 9 Concerning the prophets:
\q My heart is broken within~me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:9 \ft \+xt Hab 3:16\+xt*\f*
\q and all my bones tremble.
\q I have become like~a~drunkard,
\q like a man overcome by~wine,
\q because of the~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q because of his~holy~words.
\q1
\v 10 For the land is~full of~adulterers;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:10 \ft \+xt Jr 9:2; Hs 7:4; Mal 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q the land mourns~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:10 \ft \+xt Jr 12:4; Am 1:2; Rm 8:22\+xt*\f* because of~the~curse,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:10 \ft \+xt Dt 11:29; 27:13; Gl 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q and the grazing lands in~the~wilderness have~dried~up.
\q Their way of~life~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:10 \ft Lit \fqa Their manner of running\f* has~become~evil,
\q and their power is~not rightly~used
\q1
\v 11 because both prophet and~priest are~ungodly,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:11 \ft \+xt Jr 6:13; 14:18; Zph 3:4\+xt*\f*
\q even in my house~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:11 \ft \+xt 1Ch 17:14; 28:6; Is 56:5,7; Jr 11:15; 12:7; Ezk 23:39; Hs 9:15; Hab 1:9; Zch 1:16; Mal 3:10\+xt*\f* I~have~found their~evil.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 12 Therefore, their way will~seem
\q like slippery paths in~the~gloom.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:12 \ft \+xt Ps 35:6; 73:18\+xt*\f*
\q They will be driven away and~fall~down~there,
\q for I will bring disaster on~them,
\q the year of~their~punishment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:12 \ft \+xt Jr 11:23; 48:44\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 13 Among the prophets of~Samaria
\q I saw something~disgusting:
\q They prophesied by~Baal
\q and led my~people~Israel~astray.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:13 \ft \+xt Pr 12:26; Is 3:12; Jr 50:6; Mc 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Among the prophets of~Jerusalem~also
\q I saw a~horrible~thing:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:14 \ft \+xt Jr 5:30; Hs 6:10\+xt*\f*
\q They commit adultery and~walk in~lies.
\q They strengthen the~hands of~evildoers,
\q and none turns his~back on~evil.
\q They are all like~Sodom~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:14 \ft \+xt Gn 13:10–13; 18:16–19:28; Is 1:10–17\+xt*\f* to~me;
\q Jerusalem’s residents are like~Gomorrah.
\b
\p
\v 15 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says concerning the prophets:
\q I am about to~feed~them~wormwood~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:15 \ft \+xt Am 5:7; 6:12\+xt*\f*
\q and give them poisoned~water to~drink,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:15 \ft \+xt Jr 8:14; 9:15\+xt*\f*
\q for from the prophets of~Jerusalem
\q ungodliness~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:15 \ft Or \fqa pollution\f* has spread throughout~the~land.
\b
\p
\v 16 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you. They speak visions from their own minds,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:16 \ft \+xt Jr 14:14; Lm 2:9; Ezk 7:26; 12:24; 13:16; Mc 3:6\+xt*\f* not from the \nd Lord\nd*’s mouth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:16 \ft \+xt Is 1:20; 40:5; 58:14; 62:2; Jr 9:12; Mc 4:4\+xt*\f*
\v 17 They keep on saying to those who despise me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:17 \ft \+xt Is 5:24\+xt*\f* ‘The \nd Lord\nd* has spoken: You will have peace.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:17 \ft \+xt Jr 4:10\+xt*\f* They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’~”
\q1
\v 18 For who has stood in~the~council~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:18 \ft \+xt Jb 15:8; Ps 25:14; 89:7\+xt*\f* of~the~\nd Lord\nd*
\q to see and hear his~word?
\q Who has paid attention to~his~word and~obeyed?
\q1
\v 19 Look, a storm from~the~\nd Lord\nd*!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:19 \ft \+xt Ps 83:15; Is 29:6; Zch 9:14\+xt*\f*
\q Wrath has gone out,
\q a whirling storm.
\q It will whirl about~the~heads of~the~wicked.
\q1
\v 20 The \nd Lord\nd*’s anger will~not turn~away~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:20 \ft \+xt Gn 27:45; Is 5:25; 9:12,17,21; 10:4; Jr 2:35\+xt*\f*
\q until he has completely fulfilled the~purposes of~his~heart.
\q In time to come you~will understand~it~clearly.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:19–20 \ft \+xt Jr 30:23–24\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 21 I did not send out these~prophets,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:21 \ft \+xt Jr 14:14\+xt*\f*
\q yet they ran.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:21 \ft \+xt Jos 7:22; 2Sm 18:21; Ps 147:15\+xt*\f*
\q I did not speak to~them,
\q yet they prophesied.
\q1
\v 22 If they had really stood in~my~council,
\q they would have enabled my~people to~hear my~words
\q and would have turned~them from~their~evil~ways
\q and their evil deeds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:22 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 23 “Am I a God who is only near”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:23 \ft \+xt Ps 139:1–10; Am 9:2–3\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“and not a God who is far away?
\v 24 Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:24 \ft \+xt Gn 3:8; 4:14; Jb 34:22\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:24 \ft \+xt Ps 139:7–12; Am 9:2–4\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\p
\v 25 “I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in my name have said: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!~’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:25 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; 14:14; 20:6; 23:32; 27:10,14–16; 29:9,21,31\+xt*\f*
\v 26 How long will this continue in the minds of the prophets prophesying lies, prophets of the deceit of their own minds?
\v 27 Through their dreams that they tell one another, they plan to cause my people to forget my name as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:27 \ft \+xt Jdg 3:7; 8:33–34\+xt*\f*
\v 28 The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain?~”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\v 29 “Is not my word like fire”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?
\v 30 Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:30 \ft \+xt Dt 18:20; Jr 14:14–15; Ezk 13:8\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“who steal my words from each other.
\v 31 I am against the prophets”~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“who use their own tongues to make a declaration.
\v 32 I am against those who prophesy false dreams”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:32 \ft \+xt Dt 18:20\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:32 \ft \+xt Is 30:5–6; Jr 2:8,11\+xt*\f* to these people”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\s1 The Burden of the \nd Lord\nd*
\m
\v 33 “Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 23:33 \ft The Hb word for \fqa burden \ft (Ex 23:5; 2Sm 15:33) can also mean “oracle” (Is 13:1; Nah 1:10).\f* of the \nd Lord\nd*?~’ you will respond to them, ‘What is the burden? I will throw you away! This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.’
\v 34 As for the prophet, priest, or people who say, ‘The burden of the \nd Lord\nd*,’ I will punish that man and his household.
\v 35 This is what each man is to say to his friend and to his brother: ‘What has the \nd Lord\nd* answered?~’ or ‘What has the \nd Lord\nd* spoken?~’
\v 36 But no longer refer to~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:36 \ft Or \fqa longer remember\f* the burden of the \nd Lord\nd*, for each man’s word becomes his burden and you pervert the words of the living God, the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, our God.
\v 37 Say to the prophet, ‘What has the \nd Lord\nd* answered you?~’ or ‘What has the \nd Lord\nd* spoken?~’
\v 38 But if you say, ‘The burden of the \nd Lord\nd*,’ then this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Because you have said, ‘The burden of the \nd Lord\nd*,’ and I specifically told you not to say, ‘The burden of the \nd Lord\nd*,’
\v 39 I will surely forget you.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 23:39 \ft Some Hb mss; other Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg read \fqa surely lift you up\f* I will throw you away from my presence~#—~#both you and the city that I gave you and your ancestors.
\v 40 I will bring on you everlasting disgrace and humiliation~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:40 \ft \+xt Ps 78:66; Jr 20:11\+xt*\f* that will never be forgotten.”
\c 24
\s1 The Good and the Bad Figs
\m
\v 1 After King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had deported Jeconiah~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 24:1 \ft = Jehoiachin\f* son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, the officials of Judah, and the craftsmen and metalsmiths~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:14,16; Jr 29:2\+xt*\f* from Jerusalem and had brought them to Babylon, the \nd Lord\nd* showed me two baskets of figs~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:1 \ft \+xt Am 8:1\+xt*\f* placed in front of the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 2 One basket contained very good figs, like early figs,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:2 \ft \+xt Is 28:4; Hs 9:10; Mc 7:1\+xt*\f* but the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they were inedible.
\v 3 The \nd Lord\nd* said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?~”
\p I said, “Figs! The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are extremely bad, so bad they are inedible.”
\p
\v 4 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me:
\v 5 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.
\v 6 I will keep my eyes on them for their good~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:6 \ft \+xt Am 9:4\+xt*\f* and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:6 \ft \+xt Jr 1:10\+xt*\f*
\v 7 I will give them a heart to know me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:7 \ft \+xt Dt 30:6; Jr 31:33; 32:40\+xt*\f* that I am the \nd Lord\nd*. They will be my people, and I will be their God because they will return to me with all their heart.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:7 \ft \+xt 2Ch 6:38; Jr 29:13\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 8 “But as for the bad figs, so bad they are inedible,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:8 \ft \+xt Jr 29:17\+xt*\f* this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: In this way I will deal with King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem~#—~#those remaining in this land or living in the land of Egypt.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:8 \ft \+xt Jr 44:1\+xt*\f*
\v 9 I will make them an object of horror~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:9 \ft \+xt 2Ch 29:8; Jr 15:4; 29:18\+xt*\f* and a disaster to all the kingdoms of the earth, an example for disgrace, scorn, ridicule,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:9 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 1Kg 9:7; 2Ch 7:20\+xt*\f* and cursing, wherever I have banished them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:9 \ft \+xt Jr 24:9; 42:18; 44:8,12; 49:13\+xt*\f*
\v 10 I will send the sword, famine, and plague~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:10 \ft \+xt Jr 14:12; 21:9; 29:17–18\+xt*\f* against them until they have perished from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.”
\c 25
\s1 The Seventy-Year Exile
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:34–24:6; 2Ch 36:4–8; Jr 36:1\+xt*\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah (which was the first year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon).
\v 2 The prophet Jeremiah spoke concerning all the people of Judah and all the residents of Jerusalem as follows:
\v 3 “From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:3 \ft \+xt Jr 1:2\+xt*\f* king of Judah, until this very day~#—~#twenty-three years~#—~#the word of the \nd Lord\nd* has come to me, and I have spoken to you time and time again,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 25:3 \ft Lit \fqa you; rising early and speaking\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:3 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:15; Jr 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14,15; 44:4\+xt*\f* but you have not obeyed.
\v 4 The \nd Lord\nd* sent all his servants the prophets to you time and time again,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 25:4 \ft Lit \fqa to you, rising early and sending\f* but you have not obeyed or even paid attention.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 25:4 \ft Lit \fqa even inclined your ear to hear\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:4 \ft \+xt Jr 7:25–26\+xt*\f*
\v 5 He announced, ‘Turn, each of you, from your evil way of life and from your evil deeds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:5 \ft \+xt 2Kg 17:13; Jr 4:18; 18:11; 35:15; Zch 1:4; Ac 3:26\+xt*\f* Live in the land the \nd Lord\nd* gave to you and your ancestors long ago and forever.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:5 \ft \+xt Jr 35:15; 40:9; Ezk 36:28; 37:25\+xt*\f*
\v 6 Do not follow other gods to serve them and to bow in worship to them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:6 \ft \+xt Dt 8:19; Jr 13:10\+xt*\f* and do not anger me by the work of your hands.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:6 \ft \+xt Dt 31:29; 1Kg 16:7; Jr 44:8\+xt*\f* Then I will do you no harm.
\p
\v 7 “~‘But you have not obeyed me’~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#‘with the result that you have angered me by the work of your hands and brought disaster on yourselves.’
\p
\v 8 “Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says: ‘Because you have not obeyed my words,
\v 9 I am going to send for all the families of the north’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:9 \ft \+xt Jr 1:13; 16:16; 43:10\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#‘and send for my servant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:9 \ft \+xt Is 45:1\+xt*\f* Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will bring them against this land, against its residents, and against all these surrounding nations, and I will completely destroy them and make them an example of horror~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:9 \ft \+xt Jr 4:7; 18:16; 19:8\+xt*\f* and scorn, and ruins forever.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:9 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 19:8; 25:18; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12,22; 49:17; 50:13; Mc 6:16; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f*
\v 10 I will eliminate the sound of joy and gladness from them~#—~#the voice of the groom and the bride,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:10 \ft \+xt Jr 7:34; 16:9; 33:11\+xt*\f* the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.
\v 11 This whole land will become a desolate ruin, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:11 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:21; Is 23:15; Jr 29:10; Dn 9:2; Zch 1:12; 7:5\+xt*\f*
\v 12 When the seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation’~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#‘the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, and I will make it a ruin forever.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:12 \ft \+xt Is 13:19\+xt*\f*
\v 13 I will bring on that land all my words I have spoken against it, all that is written in this book that Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations.
\v 14 For many nations and great kings will enslave them, and I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:14 \ft \+xt Ps 28:4; Pr 24:12,29; Jr 50:29; Lm 3:64\+xt*\f*
\s1 The Cup of God’s Wrath
\m
\v 15 This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take this cup of the wine of wrath from my hand and make all the nations to whom I am sending you drink from it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:15 \ft \+xt Jb 21:20; Ps 75:8; Is 51:17; 63:6; Jr 49:12; Rv 14:8,10; 18:3\+xt*\f*
\v 16 They will drink, stagger,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 25:16 \ft Or \fqa vomit\f* and go out of their minds because of the sword I am sending among them.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:16 \ft \+xt Jr 9:16; 24:10; 29:17; 49:37\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 17 So I took the cup from the \nd Lord\nd*’s hand and made all the nations to whom the \nd Lord\nd* sent me drink from it.
\li1
\v 18 Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah, its kings and its officials, to make them a desolate ruin, an example for scorn and cursing~#—~#as it is today;
\li1
\v 19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officers, his leaders, all his people,
\li1
\v 20 and all the mixed peoples;
\li1 all the kings of the land of Uz;
\li1 all the kings of the land of the Philistines~#—~#Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod;
\li1
\v 21 Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites;
\li1
\v 22 all the kings of Tyre,
\li1 all the kings of Sidon,
\li1 and the kings of the coasts and islands;
\li1
\v 23 Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all those who clip the hair on their temples;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 25:23 \ft Or \fqa who live in distant places\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:23 \ft \+xt Lv 19:27; Jr 9:26; 49:32\+xt*\f*
\li1
\v 24 all the kings of Arabia,
\li1 and all the kings of the mixed peoples who have settled in the desert;
\li1
\v 25 all the kings of Zimri,
\li1 all the kings of Elam,
\li1 and all the kings of Media;
\li1
\v 26 all the kings of the north, both near and far from one another;
\li1 that is, all the kingdoms of the world throughout the earth.
\li1 Finally, the king of Sheshak~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 25:26 \ft = Babylon\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:26 \ft \+xt Jr 51:41\+xt*\f* will drink after them.
\b
\p
\v 27 “Then you are to say to them, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Drink,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:27 \ft \+xt Jr 25:16; Hab 2:16\+xt*\f* get drunk, and vomit. Fall down and never get up again, as a result of the sword I am sending among you.’
\v 28 If~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 25:28 \ft Or \fqa When\f* they refuse to accept the cup from your hand and drink, you are to say to them, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says: You must drink!
\v 29 For I am already bringing disaster~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:29 \ft \+xt 2Sm 12:11; 1Kg 14:10; 21:21; 2Kg 22:16; 2Ch 34:24; Is 13:11; 31:2; Jr 4:6; 6:19; 11:23; 21:10; 23:12; 44:11; 45:5\+xt*\f* on the city that bears my name,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:29 \ft \+xt Dn 9:18\+xt*\f* so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth. This is the declaration of the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:28–29 \ft \+xt Jr 49:12–13\+xt*\f*
\s1 Judgment on the Whole World
\m
\v 30 “As for you, you are to prophesy all these things to them, and say to them:
\q The \nd Lord\nd* roars from~on~high;
\q he makes his~voice heard from~his~holy~dwelling.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:30 \ft \+xt Dt 26:15; 2Ch 30:27; Jb 37:4; Ps 76:2; Hs 11:10; Jl 3:16; Am 1:2; 3:8\+xt*\f*
\q He roars loudly over~his~grazing~land;
\q he calls out with~a~shout, like~those who~tread~grapes,
\q against all the inhabitants of~the~earth.
\q1
\v 31 The tumult reaches to~the~ends of~the~earth
\q because the \nd Lord\nd* brings a~case against~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:31 \ft \+xt Jb 11:5; Jr 2:9; Hs 4:1; 12:3; Mc 6:2\+xt*\f*~the~nations.
\q He enters into~judgment with~all~humanity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:31 \ft \+xt Is 66:16\+xt*\f*
\q As for the wicked, he~hands~them~over to~the~sword~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\p
\v 32 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Pay attention! Disaster~spreads
\q from nation to~nation.
\q A huge storm is~stirred~up
\q from the ends of~the~earth.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:32 \ft \+xt Jr 23:19; 30:23\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 33 Those slain by the \nd Lord\nd*~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:33 \ft \+xt Is 66:16\+xt*\f* on that day will be scattered from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:33 \ft \+xt Jr 16:4\+xt*\f* gathered, or buried. They will be like manure on the soil’s surface.
\q1
\v 34 Wail, you shepherds, and~cry~out.
\q Roll in the dust,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:34 \ft \+xt Jb 2:8,12; Jr 6:26; Ezk 27:30\+xt*\f* you~leaders of~the~flock.
\q Because the days of~your~slaughter have~come,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:34 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 19:6\+xt*\f*
\q you will fall and~become~shattered like~a~precious~vase.
\q1
\v 35 Flight will be impossible for~the~shepherds,
\q and escape, for~the~leaders of~the~flock.
\q1
\v 36 Hear the sound of~the~shepherds’~cry,
\q the wail of~the~leaders of~the~flock,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* is~destroying their~pasture.
\q1
\v 37 Peaceful grazing land will~become~lifeless
\q because of the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~burning~anger.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:37 \ft \+xt Nm 32:14; 2Ch 28:11; Zph 2:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 38 He has left his~den like~a~lion,
\q for their land has~become a~desolation
\q because of the~sword~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 25:38 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Tg; other Hb mss read \fqa burning\f* of~the~oppressor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:38 \ft \+xt Jr 46:16\+xt*\f*
\q because of his~burning~anger.
\c 26
\s1 Jeremiah’s Speech in the Temple
\m
\v 1 At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:34–24:6; 2Ch 36:4–8\+xt*\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the \nd Lord\nd*:
\v 2 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Stand in the courtyard of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all Judah’s cities that are coming to worship there. Do not hold back a word.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:2 \ft \+xt Dt 4:2; Ec 3:14\+xt*\f*
\v 3 Perhaps they will listen and turn~#—~#each from his evil way of life~#—~#so that I might relent~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:3 \ft \+xt Ex 32:12,14; Am 7:3,6; Jnh 3:9–10\+xt*\f* concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.
\v 4 You are to say to them, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: If you do not listen to me by living according to my instruction that I set before you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:4 \ft \+xt Lv 26:14\+xt*\f*
\v 5 and by listening to the words of my servants the prophets~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:5 \ft \+xt Jr 25:3–4\+xt*\f*~#—~#whom I have been sending to you time and time again,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 26:5 \ft Lit \fqa you, rising early and sending\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:5 \ft \+xt Jr 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14–15; 44:4\+xt*\f* though you did not listen~#—~#
\v 6 I will make this temple like Shiloh.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:6 \ft \+xt Jos 18:1,8–10; 21:2; 1Sm 1:3\+xt*\f* I will make this city an example for cursing for all the nations of the earth.’~”
\s1 Jeremiah Seized
\m
\v 7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 8 When he finished the address the \nd Lord\nd* had commanded him to deliver to all the people, immediately the priests, the prophets, and all the people took hold of him, yelling, “You must surely die!
\v 9 How dare you prophesy in the name of the \nd Lord\nd*, ‘This temple will become like Shiloh and this city will become an uninhabited ruin’!~” Then all the people crowded around Jeremiah at the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple.
\p
\v 10 When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went from the king’s palace to the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple and sat at the entrance of the New Gate of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 26:10 \ft Many Hb mss, Syr, Tg, Vg; other Hb mss read \fqa the New Gate of the \+nd Lord\+nd*\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:10 \ft \+xt Jr 36:10; Ezk 46:1,3\+xt*\f*
\v 11 Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man deserves the death sentence because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:11 \ft \+xt Jr 38:4\+xt*\f*
\s1 Jeremiah’s Defense
\m
\v 12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “The \nd Lord\nd* sent me to prophesy all the words that you have heard against this temple and city.
\v 13 So now, correct your ways and deeds,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:13 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18; 7:3–5; 18:11\+xt*\f* and obey the \nd Lord\nd* your God so that he might relent concerning the disaster he had pronounced against you.
\v 14 As for me, here I am in your hands; do to me what you think is good and right.
\v 15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:15 \ft \+xt Dt 19:10,13; 21:8–9; 2Kg 21:16; 24:4; Jr 7:6; 22:3,17; Mt 27:4\+xt*\f* on yourselves, on this city, and on its residents, for it is certain the \nd Lord\nd* has sent me to speak all these things directly to you.”
\s1 Jeremiah Released
\m
\v 16 Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man doesn’t deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of the \nd Lord\nd* our God!~”
\p
\v 17 Some of the elders of the land stood up~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:17 \ft \+xt Ac 5:34\+xt*\f* and said to all the assembled people,
\v 18 “Micah the Moreshite~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:18 \ft \+xt Mc 1:1,14\+xt*\f* prophesied in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:18 \ft \+xt 2Kg 16:20; 18:4–21:3; Is 36:1–39:8\+xt*\f* and said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Zion will be plowed like~a~field,
\q Jerusalem will become ruins,
\q and the temple’s mountain will~be a~high~thicket.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:18 \ft \+xt Mc 3:12\+xt*\f*
\m
\v 19 Did King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah put him to death? Did not the king fear the \nd Lord\nd* and plead for the \nd Lord\nd*’s favor,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 26:19 \ft Or \fqa and appease the \+nd Lord\+nd*\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:19 \ft \+xt 2Ch 32:26\+xt*\f* and did not the \nd Lord\nd* relent concerning the disaster he had pronounced against them?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:19 \ft \+xt Ex 32:14; 2Sm 24:16\+xt*\f* We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves!~”
\s1 The Prophet Uriah
\m
\v 20 Another man was also prophesying in the name of the \nd Lord\nd*~#—~#Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:20 \ft \+xt Jos 9:17; 1Sm 6:21; 7:2\+xt*\f* He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like all those of Jeremiah.
\v 21 King Jehoiakim, all his warriors, and all the officials heard his words, and the king tried to put him to death. When Uriah heard, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.
\v 22 But King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:22 \ft \+xt Jr 36:12\+xt*\f* and certain other men with him went to Egypt.
\v 23 They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who executed him with the sword and threw his corpse into the burial place of the common people.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 26:23 \ft Lit \fqa the sons of the people\f*
\p
\v 24 But Ahikam~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:24 \ft \+xt 2Kg 22:12,14; Jr 39:14; 40:5–43:6\+xt*\f* son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
\c 27
\s1 The Yoke of Babylon
\m
\v 1 At the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 27:1 \ft Some Hb mss, Syr, Arabic; other Hb mss, DSS read \fqa Jehoiakim\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:17; Jr 1:3; 21:1\+xt*\f* this word came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd*:~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 27:1 \ft LXX omits this v.\f*
\v 2 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* said to me: “Make chains and yoke bars~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:2 \ft \+xt Jr 28:10–13\+xt*\f* for yourself and put them on your neck.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:2 \ft \+xt Jr 2:20; 5:5; 30:8\+xt*\f*
\v 3 Send word to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:3 \ft \+xt Jr 25:21–22\+xt*\f* through messengers who are coming to King Zedekiah of Judah in Jerusalem.
\v 4 Command them to go to their masters, saying, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Tell this to your masters:
\v 5 “By my great strength and outstretched arm,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:5 \ft \+xt Dt 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 1Kg 8:42; Ps 136:12; Jr 32:17,21; Ezk 20:33–34\+xt*\f* I made the earth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:5 \ft \+xt Is 45:12\+xt*\f* and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 27:5 \ft Lit \fqa to whomever is upright in my eyes\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:5 \ft \+xt Ps 115:15–16; Dn 4:17\+xt*\f*
\v 6 So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of my servant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:6 \ft \+xt Is 44:28; Jr 25:9\+xt*\f* Nebuchadnezzar,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:6 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:11; 25:22; 2Ch 36:6–13\+xt*\f* king of Babylon. I have even given him the wild animals to serve him.
\v 7 All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his own land comes, and then many nations and great kings will enslave him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:7 \ft \+xt Jr 25:12\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 8 “~‘~“As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and does not place its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish by sword, famine, and plague~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#until through him I have destroyed it.
\v 9 So you should not listen to your prophets, diviners,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:9 \ft \+xt Dt 18:10,14; Jr 14:14; 29:8\+xt*\f* dreamers, fortune-tellers,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:9 \ft \+xt Lv 19:26; Dt 18:10,14; 2Ch 33:6\+xt*\f* or sorcerers~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:9 \ft \+xt Ex 7:11; Dt 18:10; 2Ch 33:6\+xt*\f* who say to you, ‘Don’t serve the king of Babylon!~’
\v 10 They are prophesying a lie~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:10 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; 14:14; 20:6; 23:25–26,32; 27:14–16; 29:9,21,31\+xt*\f* to you so that you will be removed from your land. I will banish you, and you will perish.
\v 11 But as for the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave it in its own land, and that nation will cultivate~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 27:11 \ft Lit \fqa work\f* it and reside in it. This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.”~’~”
\s1 Warning to Zedekiah
\m
\v 12 I spoke to King Zedekiah of Judah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:12 \ft \+xt Jr 28:1; 38:17\+xt*\f* in the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and live!
\v 13 Why should you and your people die~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:13 \ft \+xt Ezk 18:31\+xt*\f* by the sword, famine, and plague as the \nd Lord\nd* has threatened against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?
\v 14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are telling you, ‘Don’t serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying a lie to you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:14 \ft \+xt Jr 14:14\+xt*\f*
\v 15 ‘I have not sent them’~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#‘and they are prophesying falsely in my name; therefore, I will banish you, and you will perish~#—~#you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.’~”
\p
\v 16 Then I spoke to the priests and all these people, saying, “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: ‘Do not listen to the words of your prophets. They are prophesying to you, claiming, “Look, very soon now the articles of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple will be brought back from Babylon.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:16 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:13; 2Ch 36:7,10; Jr 28:3\+xt*\f* They are prophesying a lie to you.
\v 17 Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon and live! Why should this city become a ruin?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:17 \ft \+xt Jr 7:34\+xt*\f*
\v 18 If they are indeed prophets and if the word of the \nd Lord\nd* is with them, let them intercede with the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies not to let the articles that remain in the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem go to Babylon.’
\v 19 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says about the pillars, the basin,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 27:19 \ft Lit \fqa sea\f* the water carts,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:19 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:13,16; Jr 52:17,20\+xt*\f* and the rest of the articles that still remain in this city,
\v 20 those King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon did not take when he deported Jeconiah~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 27:20 \ft = Jehoiachin\f* son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon along with all the nobles of Judah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:20 \ft \+xt Neh 6:17; 13:17; Jr 39:6\+xt*\f* and Jerusalem.
\v 21 Yes, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem:
\v 22 ‘They will be taken to Babylon and will remain there until I attend to them again.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:22 \ft \+xt Jr 29:10; 32:5\+xt*\f* This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. ‘Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:22 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:7–11; 5:13–15; 7:19\+xt*\f*
\c 28
\s1 Hananiah’s False Prophecy
\m
\v 1 In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:1 \ft \+xt Jr 27:12\+xt*\f* in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur from Gibeon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:1 \ft \+xt Jos 9:3\+xt*\f* said to me in the temple of the \nd Lord\nd* in the presence of the priests and all the people,
\v 2 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:2 \ft \+xt Jr 27:12\+xt*\f*
\v 3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:3 \ft \+xt Jr 27:16\+xt*\f* that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took from here and transported to Babylon.
\v 4 And I will restore to this place Jeconiah~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 28:4 \ft = Jehoiachin\f* son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:4 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:10–17\+xt*\f* who went to Babylon’~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’~”
\s1 Jeremiah’s Response to Hananiah
\m
\v 5 The prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 6 The prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:6 \ft \+xt 1Kg 1:36\+xt*\f* May the \nd Lord\nd* do that. May the \nd Lord\nd* make the words you have prophesied come true and may he restore the articles of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple and all the exiles from Babylon to this place!
\v 7 Only listen to this message I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.
\v 8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, disaster,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 28:8 \ft Some Hb mss, Vg read \fqa famine\f* and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.
\v 9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace~#—~#only when the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the \nd Lord\nd* has truly sent.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:9 \ft \+xt Dt 18:20–22\+xt*\f*
\s1 Hananiah Breaks Jeremiah’s Yoke
\m
\v 10 The prophet Hananiah then took the yoke bar from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:10 \ft \+xt Jr 27:2\+xt*\f*
\v 11 In the presence of all the people Hananiah proclaimed, “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: ‘In this way, within two years I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of all the nations.’~” The prophet Jeremiah then went on his way.
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd*’s Word against Hananiah
\m
\v 12 After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke bar from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah:
\v 13 “Go say to Hananiah, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: You broke a wooden yoke bar, but in its place you will make an iron yoke bar.
\v 14 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations that they might serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:14 \ft \+xt Dt 28:48\+xt*\f* and they will serve him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:14 \ft \+xt Jr 25:11\+xt*\f* I have even put the wild animals under him.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:14 \ft \+xt Jr 27:6\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 15 The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The \nd Lord\nd* did not send you, but you have led these people to trust in a lie.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:15 \ft \+xt Jr 29:31; Ezk 13:22\+xt*\f*
\v 16 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: ‘I am about to send you off the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the \nd Lord\nd*.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:16 \ft \+xt Dt 13:5; Is 59:13; Jr 29:32\+xt*\f*
\v 17 And the prophet Hananiah died that year in the seventh month.
\c 29
\s1 Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles
\m
\v 1 This is the text of the letter~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:1 \ft \+xt 2Sm 11:14–15; 1Kg 21:8–11\+xt*\f* that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining exiled elders, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:11; 25:22; 2Ch 36:6–13\+xt*\f* had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.
\v 2 This was after King Jeconiah,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 29:2 \ft = Jehoiachin\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:2 \ft \+xt Jr 24:1; 27:20; 28:4\+xt*\f* the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had left Jerusalem.
\v 3 He sent the letter with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:3 \ft \+xt 1Ch 6:13\+xt*\f* whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter stated:
\pi
\v 4 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon:
\v 5 “Build houses and live in them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:5 \ft \+xt Jr 29:28\+xt*\f* Plant gardens and eat their produce.
\v 6 Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:6 \ft \+xt Gn 17:5–6; 35:10–11\+xt*\f*
\v 7 Pursue the well-being~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 29:7 \ft Or \fqa peace\f* of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the \nd Lord\nd* on its behalf,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:7 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:10; 1Tm 2:1–2\+xt*\f* for when it thrives, you will thrive.”
\b
\pi
\v 8 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:8 \ft \+xt Jr 27:9\+xt*\f* and your diviners deceive you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:8 \ft \+xt Jr 27:15\+xt*\f* and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them,
\v 9 for they are prophesying falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:9 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; 14:14; 20:6; 23:25–26,32; 27:10,14–16; 29:21,31\+xt*\f* This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\b
\pi
\v 10 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:10 \ft \+xt Jr 25:12; Dn 9:2\+xt*\f* I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place.
\v 11 For I know the plans I have for you”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:11 \ft \+xt Ps 33:10; Jr 26:3; 36:3\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
\v 12 You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:12 \ft \+xt Dt 30:1–10; Jr 3:12\+xt*\f*
\v 13 You will seek me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:13 \ft \+xt Dt 4:29; 1Ch 28:9; 2Ch 15:2\+xt*\f* and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
\v 14 I will be found by you”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“and I will restore your fortunes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 29:14 \ft Or \fqa will end your captivity\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:14 \ft \+xt Jb 42:10; Jr 32:44; 49:39; Ezk 16:53; 39:25; Hs 6:11; Zph 2:7\+xt*\f* and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:14 \ft \+xt Dt 30:3; Jr 30:3\+xt*\f*
\b
\pi
\v 15 You have said, “The \nd Lord\nd* has raised up prophets for us in Babylon!~”
\v 16 But this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning the king sitting on David’s throne~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:16 \ft \+xt Jr 17:25; 22:2,30; 36:30\+xt*\f* and concerning all the people living in this city~#—~#that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile.
\v 17 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says: “I am about to send sword, famine, and plague against them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:17 \ft \+xt Jr 14:12; 21:9; 24:10\+xt*\f* and I will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad.
\v 18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth~#—~#a curse and a desolation, an object of scorn and a disgrace among all the nations~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:18 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 19:8; 25:9,18; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12,22; 49:17; 50:13; Mc 6:16; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f* where I have banished them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:18 \ft \+xt Dt 30:1; Jr 8:3; 16:15\+xt*\f*
\v 19 I will do this because they have not listened to my words”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“the words that I sent to them with my servants the prophets time and time again.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 29:19 \ft Lit \fqa prophets, rising up early and sending\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:19 \ft \+xt Jr 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3; 26:5; 32:33; 35:14–15; 44:4\+xt*\f* And you too have not listened.” This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\b
\pi
\v 20 Hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, all you exiles I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:20 \ft \+xt Jr 24:5\+xt*\f*
\v 21 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, the ones prophesying a lie to you in my name:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:21 \ft \+xt Jr 14:14; 29:9\+xt*\f* “I am about to hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes.
\v 22 Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a curse~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:22 \ft \+xt Is 65:15\+xt*\f* that says, ‘May the \nd Lord\nd* make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!~’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:22 \ft \+xt Dn 3:6\+xt*\f*
\v 23 because they have committed an outrage~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:23 \ft \+xt Gn 34:7; Dt 22:21; Jos 7:15\+xt*\f* in Israel by committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken in my name a lie, which I did not command them. I am he who knows, and I am a witness.” This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\b
\pi
\v 24 To Shemaiah the Nehelamite you are to say,
\v 25 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: You~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 29:25 \ft Lit \fqa Because you\f* in your own name have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:25 \ft \+xt Jr 21:1; 37:3; 52:24–27\+xt*\f* son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying,
\v 26 ‘The \nd Lord\nd* has appointed you priest in place of the priest Jehoiada to be the chief officer~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:26 \ft \+xt 2Ch 31:13; Jr 20:1\+xt*\f* in the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*, responsible for every madman~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:26 \ft \+xt 2Kg 9:11; Hs 9:7\+xt*\f* who acts like a prophet. You must confine him in the stocks~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:26 \ft \+xt 2Ch 16:10; Jr 20:2\+xt*\f* and an iron collar.
\v 27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who has been acting like a prophet among you?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:27 \ft \+xt Jr 1:1\+xt*\f*
\v 28 For he has sent word to us in Babylon, claiming, “The exile will be long. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.”~’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:28 \ft \+xt Jr 29:5\+xt*\f*
\m
\v 29 The priest Zephaniah read this letter in the hearing of the prophet Jeremiah.
\s1 A Message about Shemaiah
\m
\v 30 Then the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah:
\v 31 “Send a message to all the exiles, saying, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:31 \ft \+xt Jr 27:10,14–16; 28:15; 29:9,21,23\+xt*\f*
\v 32 this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be even one of his descendants living among these people,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:32 \ft \+xt Jr 17:6\+xt*\f* nor will any ever see the good that I will bring to my people~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#for he has preached rebellion against the \nd Lord\nd*.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:32 \ft \+xt Jr 28:16\+xt*\f*
\c 30
\s1 Restoration from Captivity
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 2 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: Write on a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:2 \ft \+xt Ex 17:14; 34:1,27; Nm 5:23; Dt 17:18; 27:3; 31:19; Is 30:8; Jr 36:2,28; Ezk 43:11; Hs 8:12; Hab 2:2; 1Co 14:37; Rv 1:11; 10:4; 14:13; 19:9; 21:5\+xt*\f*
\v 3 for look, the days are coming”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“when I will restore the fortunes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:3 \ft Or \fqa will end the captivity\f* of my people Israel and Judah,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:3 \ft \+xt Jr 33:7,11; Ezk 37:15–23; 39:25; Jl 3:1; Am 9:14\+xt*\f* says the \nd Lord\nd*. “I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it.”
\p
\v 4 These are the words the \nd Lord\nd* spoke to Israel and Judah.
\v 5 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q We have heard a~cry of~terror,
\q of dread~#—~#there~is no~peace.
\q1
\v 6 Ask and see
\q whether a male can~give~birth.
\q Why then do~I~see every~man
\q with his hands on~his~stomach like~a~woman in~labor
\q and every face turned~pale?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:6 \ft \+xt Ps 48:6; Is 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; Jr 4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; 50:43; Mc 4:9–10; 1Th 5:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 How awful that~day will~be!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:7 \ft \+xt Jl 2:11; Zph 1:14\+xt*\f*
\q There will be no~other~like~it!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:7 \ft \+xt Dn 12:1\+xt*\f*
\q It will be a~time of~trouble for~Jacob,
\q but he will be~saved out~of~it.
\b
\q1
\v 8 On that day~—
\qm this~is the~declaration of~the~\nd Lord\nd* of~Armies~—
\q I will break his yoke from your neck~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:8 \ft \+xt Gn 27:40; Jr 2:20; 28:4,11; Ezk 34:27; Nah 1:13\+xt*\f*
\q and tear off your chains,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:8 \ft \+xt Jr 27:2\+xt*\f*
\q and strangers will never again enslave him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:8 \ft \+xt Ezk 34:27\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 They will serve the \nd Lord\nd* their God
\q and David their king,
\q whom I will raise up for them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:9 \ft \+xt Is 55:3–5; Ezk 34:23–24; 37:24–25; Hs 3:5; Lk 1:69; Ac 13:23,34\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 10 As for you, my~servant~Jacob,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:10 \ft \+xt Is 41:8; 44:2; 45:4; 48:20; Jr 46:27; Ezk 28:25; 37:25\+xt*\f*
\q do~not~be~afraid~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q and do not be~discouraged,~Israel,
\q for without fail I~will save~you out~of a distant place,
\q your descendants, from~the~land of~their~captivity!
\q Jacob will return and~have~calm and~quiet
\q with no one to~frighten~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:10 \ft \+xt Lv 26:6; Jr 46:27; Ezk 34:28; 39:26; Mc 4:4; Zph 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 For I will be with~you~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q to save you!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:11 \ft \+xt 2Kg 19:34; Is 37:35; Jr 15:20\+xt*\f*
\q I will bring destruction on~all~the~nations
\q where I have scattered~you;
\q however, I will not bring~destruction on~you.
\q I will discipline you~justly,
\q and I will by~no~means leave~you~unpunished.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:10–11 \ft \+xt Ex 34:7; Jr 46:27–28\+xt*\f*
\s1 Healing Zion’s Wounds
\m
\v 12 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Your injury is~incurable;
\q your wound most~severe.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:12 \ft \+xt Jr 10:19; 15:18; 17:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 You have no defender for your~case.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:13 \ft \+xt Hs 5:13\+xt*\f*
\q There is no remedy for your sores,
\q and no~healing for~you.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:13 \ft Or \fqa No one pleads that your sores should be healed. There is no remedy for you.\f*
\q1
\v 14 All your lovers have~forgotten~you;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:14 \ft \+xt Jr 4:30; Lm 1:19\+xt*\f*
\q they no longer look for~you,
\q for I have struck you~as~an~enemy~would,
\q with the discipline~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:14 \ft \+xt Jr 2:30; 5:3; 7:28\+xt*\f* of~someone~cruel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:14 \ft \+xt Is 13:9\+xt*\f*
\q because of your~enormous~guilt
\q and your innumerable sins.
\q1
\v 15 Why do you cry out about~your~injury?
\q Your pain has no~cure!
\q I have done these~things to~you
\q because of your~enormous~guilt
\q and your innumerable sins.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:15 \ft \+xt Jr 5:6; Am 5:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 Nevertheless, all who devoured you will~be~devoured,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:16 \ft \+xt Jr 10:25\+xt*\f*
\q and all your adversaries~#—~#all~of~them~—
\q will go off into~exile.
\q Those who plunder you will~be~plundered,
\q and all who raid you will~be~raided.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:16 \ft \+xt Ezk 39:10; Hab 2:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 But I will bring~you~health~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:17 \ft \+xt Is 58:8; Jr 8:22; 33:6\+xt*\f*
\q and will heal you of~your~wounds~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q for they call you~Outcast,
\q Zion whom no one cares~about.
\s1 Restoration of the Land
\m
\v 18 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q I will certainly restore the~fortunes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:18 \ft Or \fqa certainly end the captivity\f* of~Jacob’s~tents~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:18 \ft \+xt Jr 30:3\+xt*\f*
\q and show compassion~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:18 \ft \+xt Jr 12:15; 31:20; 33:26; 42:12\+xt*\f* on~his~dwellings.
\q Every city will be rebuilt on~its~mound;
\q every citadel will stand on~its~proper~site.
\q1
\v 19 Thanksgiving will come out~of~them,
\q a sound of~rejoicing.
\q I will multiply them, and~they~will~not~decrease;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:19 \ft \+xt Jr 29:6\+xt*\f*
\q I will honor them, and~they~will~not be~insignificant.
\q1
\v 20 His children will be as~in~past~days;
\q his congregation will~be~established in~my~presence.
\q I will punish all~his~oppressors.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:20 \ft \+xt Jdg 10:12; Is 19:20–25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 Jacob’s leader will~be one~of~them;
\q his ruler will issue from~him.
\q I will invite him to~me, and~he~will approach~me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:21 \ft \+xt Nm 16:5\+xt*\f*
\q for who would otherwise risk~his~life to~approach~me?
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 22 You will be my~people,
\q and I will be your~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:22 \ft \+xt Jr 11:4; 24:7; 31:33\+xt*\f*
\s1 The Wrath of God
\q1
\v 23 Look, a storm from~the~\nd Lord\nd*!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:23 \ft \+xt Ps 83:15; Is 29:6; Zch 9:14\+xt*\f*
\q Wrath has gone~out,
\q a churning storm.
\q It will whirl about the~heads of~the~wicked.
\q1
\v 24 The \nd Lord\nd*’s burning anger will~not turn~back
\q until he has completely~fulfilled the~purposes of~his~heart.
\q In time to come you~will understand~it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:23–24 \ft \+xt Jr 23:19–20\+xt*\f*
\c 31
\s1 God’s Relationship with His People
\m
\v 1 “At that time”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“I will be the God of all the families of Israel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:1 \ft \+xt Jr 30:22\+xt*\f* and they will be my people.”
\p
\v 2 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q The people who~survived the~sword
\q found favor in~the~wilderness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:2 \ft \+xt Ex 33:12–17\+xt*\f*
\q When Israel went to~find~rest,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:2 \ft \+xt Jos 23:1; 2Sm 7:11; 1Kg 8:56; 1Ch 23:25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 the \nd Lord\nd* appeared to~him~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 31:3 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa me\f* from~far~away.
\q I have loved you with~an~everlasting~love;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:3 \ft \+xt Is 54:8\+xt*\f*
\q therefore, I have continued to~extend faithful~love to~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:3 \ft \+xt Ps 36:10; 109:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Again I will build you so~that you~will be~rebuilt,
\q Virgin Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:4 \ft \+xt Jr 18:13; 31:21; Am 5:2\+xt*\f*
\q You will take up your~tambourines~again~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:4 \ft \+xt Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34; 1Sm 18:6\+xt*\f*
\q and go out in~joyful~dancing.
\q1
\v 5 You will plant vineyards~again~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:5 \ft \+xt Am 5:11\+xt*\f*
\q on the mountains of~Samaria;
\q the planters will plant and~will~enjoy the~fruit.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:5 \ft \+xt Lv 19:23,25; Dt 20:6; 28:30\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 For there will be a~day when~watchmen will~call~out
\q in the hill country of~Ephraim,
\q “Come, let’s go up to~Zion,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:6 \ft \+xt Is 2:3\+xt*\f*
\q to the \nd Lord\nd* our~God!~”
\s1 God’s People Brought Home
\m
\v 7 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Sing with joy for~Jacob;
\q shout for the foremost of~the~nations!
\q Proclaim, praise, and~say,
\q “\nd Lord\nd*, save your~people,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:7 \ft \+xt Ps 28:9; Hab 3:13; Zch 8:7\+xt*\f*
\q the remnant of~Israel!~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:7 \ft \+xt Is 10:20; Jr 6:9; Ezk 11:13; Mc 2:12; Zph 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Watch! I am going to~bring~them from~the~northern~land.
\q I will gather them from~remote~regions of~the~earth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:8 \ft \+xt Neh 1:9; Is 43:6; Jr 32:37; Ezk 34:13; 37:21; 39:27; Zch 10:8,10\+xt*\f*~—
\q the blind and the lame will~be with~them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:8 \ft \+xt Lv 21:18; Mt 11:5; Lk 14:13\+xt*\f*
\q along with those who~are~pregnant and~those about~to~give~birth.
\q They will return here as~a~great~assembly!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:8 \ft \+xt Ezk 38:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 They will come weeping,
\q but I will bring them back with~consolation.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 31:9 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa supplications\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:9 \ft \+xt Jb 15:11\+xt*\f*
\q I will lead them to~wadis filled with~water,
\q by a smooth way where they~will~not~stumble,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:9 \ft \+xt Pr 4:12; Is 63:13; Ezk 36:15\+xt*\f*
\q for I am Israel’s~Father,
\q and Ephraim is my~firstborn.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:9 \ft \+xt Ex 4:22–23; Dt 32:19; Is 63:16; 64:8; Hs 11:1; Mal 2:10; Jn 8:41\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 Nations, hear the~word of~the~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q and tell it among the far~off~coasts and islands!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:10 \ft \+xt Is 40:15; Jr 25:22; 47:4\+xt*\f*
\q Say, “The one who scattered Israel will~gather~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:10 \ft \+xt Dt 30:3; Is 11:12; Ezk 11:17; 20:34,41; 28:25; Mc 4:6; Zph 3:19\+xt*\f*
\q He will watch over him as~a~shepherd guards~his~flock,
\q1
\v 11 for the \nd Lord\nd* has ransomed Jacob
\q and redeemed him from~the~power of~one stronger~than~he.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:11 \ft \+xt Is 41:14; 43:1; 44:23; 48:20; 60:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 They will come and~shout for~joy on~the~heights of~Zion;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:12 \ft \+xt Ps 71:23; 92:4; Is 49:13; Zch 2:10\+xt*\f*
\q they will be radiant with~joy~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:12 \ft \+xt Ps 34:5; Is 60:5\+xt*\f*
\q because of the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~goodness,
\q because of the grain, the~new~wine, the~fresh~oil,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:12 \ft \+xt Nm 18:12; Dt 7:13; Hg 1:11\+xt*\f*
\q and because of the~young of~the~flocks and~herds.
\q Their life will be like~an~irrigated~garden,
\q and they will no longer grow~weak from~hunger.
\q1
\v 13 Then the young women will rejoice with~dancing,
\q while young and~old~men rejoice~together.
\q I will turn their~mourning into~joy,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:13 \ft \+xt Ps 105:43; Is 35:10; 51:3,11; Lm 5:15\+xt*\f*
\q give them consolation,
\q and bring happiness out~of~grief.
\q1
\v 14 I will refresh the priests with~an~abundance,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:14 \ft Lit \fqa fatness\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:14 \ft \+xt Dt 31:20; Ps 36:8; Is 30:23\+xt*\f*
\q and my people will~be~satisfied with~my~goodness.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\s1 Lament Turned to Joy
\m
\v 15 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q A voice was heard in~Ramah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:15 \ft \+xt Jos 18:25; Jdg 4:5; 1Sm 1:19; 19:18; Jr 40:1\+xt*\f*
\q a lament with~bitter~weeping~—
\q Rachel weeping for~her~children,
\q refusing to be comforted for~her~children
\q because they are no~more.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:15 \ft \+xt Mt 2:18\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 16 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Keep your voice from~weeping
\q and your eyes from~tears,
\q for the reward for~your~work will~come~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q and your children will~return from~the~enemy’s~land.
\q1
\v 17 There is hope for~your~future~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:17 \ft \+xt Jr 5:31; 23:20; 29:11\+xt*\f*~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q and your children will~return to~their~own~territory.
\q1
\v 18 I have surely heard Ephraim~moaning,
\q “You disciplined me, and~I~have~been~disciplined
\q like an untrained calf.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:18 \ft \+xt Hs 4:16; 10:11\+xt*\f*
\q Take me back, so that~I~can~return,
\q for you, \nd Lord\nd*, are my~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:18 \ft \+xt Ps 40:5; Jr 3:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 After my return, I~felt regret;
\q After I was instructed, I~struck my~thigh in~grief.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:19 \ft \+xt Ezk 21:12\+xt*\f*
\q I was ashamed and~humiliated~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:19 \ft \+xt Ps 35:4; Ezr 9:6; Is 41:11; Jr 8:12; 14:3; 22:22; Ezk 36:32\+xt*\f*
\q because I bore the~disgrace of~my~youth.”
\q1
\v 20 Isn’t Ephraim a~precious~son to~me,
\q a delightful child?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:20 \ft \+xt Is 5:7; Hs 11:1\+xt*\f*
\q Whenever I speak against~him,
\q I certainly still think about~him.
\q Therefore, my inner being yearns for~him;
\q I will truly have compassion on~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:20 \ft \+xt Jr 12:15; 30:18; 33:26; 42:12; Hs 11:4,8–9\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\s1 Repentance and Restoration
\q1
\v 21 Set up road markers~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:21 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:17; Ezk 39:15\+xt*\f* for~yourself;
\q establish signposts!
\q Keep the highway in~mind,
\q the way you have traveled.
\q Return, Virgin~Israel!
\q Return to these cities of~yours.
\q1
\v 22 How long will~you~turn here~and~there,
\q faithless daughter?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:22 \ft \+xt Jr 3:14,22; 49:4\+xt*\f*
\q For the \nd Lord\nd* creates something~new in~the~land~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:22 \ft Or \fqa new on earth\f*~—
\q a female~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:22 \ft Or \fqa woman\f* will~shelter~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:22 \ft Or \fqa female surrounds\ft , or \fqa female courts\ft ; Hb obscure\f* a~man.
\b
\p
\v 23 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “When I restore their fortunes,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:23 \ft Or \fqa I end their captivity\f* they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities: ‘May the \nd Lord\nd* bless you, righteous settlement,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:23 \ft \+xt Jb 8:6; Jr 50:7\+xt*\f* holy mountain.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:23 \ft \+xt Ps 2:6; 3:4; 48:1; 99:9\+xt*\f*
\v 24 Judah and all its cities will live in it together~#—~#also farmers and those who move~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 31:24 \ft Tg, Vg, Aq, Sym; MT reads \fqa and they will move\f* with the flocks~#—~#
\v 25 for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:25 \ft \+xt Ps 107:9; Is 55:1; Jn 4:14; 6:35; 7:35; Rv 21:6; 22:17\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.
\p
\v 27 “Look, the days are coming”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“when I will sow the house of Israel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:27 \ft \+xt Ezk 36:9,11; Hs 2:23\+xt*\f* and the house of Judah with the seed of people and the seed of animals.
\v 28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:28 \ft \+xt Jr 21:10; 39:16; 44:27; Am 9:4\+xt*\f* so will I watch over them to build and to plant them”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:28 \ft \+xt Jr 1:10; 18:7–10; 44:27\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\v 29 “In those days, it will never again be said,
\q ‘The fathers have eaten sour~grapes,
\q and the children’s teeth are~set on~edge.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:29 \ft \+xt Ezk 18:2\+xt*\f*
\m
\v 30 Rather, each will die for his own iniquity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:30 \ft \+xt Dt 24:6; Ezk 18:20\+xt*\f* Anyone who eats sour grapes~#—~#his own teeth will be set on edge.
\s1 The New Covenant
\m
\v 31 “Look, the days are coming”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:31–34 \ft \+xt Heb 8:8–12; 10:16–17\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“when I will make a new covenant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:31 \ft \+xt Ezk 37:26; Hs 2:18; Lk 22:20; 1Co 11:25; 2Co 3:6; Heb 9:15; 12:24\+xt*\f* with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
\v 32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt~#—~#my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:32 \ft Or \fqa husband\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:32 \ft \+xt Is 54:4; 62:4; Mal 2:11\+xt*\f*~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\v 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
\v 34 No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the \nd Lord\nd*,’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:34 \ft \+xt Jdg 2:10; 1Sm 3:7; Hs 2:20\+xt*\f* for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:34 \ft \+xt Est 1:20; Jr 6:13; 8:10; 42:1,8; 44:12\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:34 \ft \+xt Nm 14:19; Ps 103:3; Jr 36:3\+xt*\f* and never again remember their sin.
\p
\v 35 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q The one who gives the~sun for~light by~day,
\q the fixed order of~moon and~stars for~light by~night,
\q who stirs up the~sea and~makes its~waves~roar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:35 \ft \+xt Ps 46:3; Is 51:15; Jr 5:22\+xt*\f*~—
\q the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies is his~name:
\q1
\v 36 If this fixed order departs from~before~me~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q only then will Israel’s~descendants cease
\q to be a nation before~me~forever.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:36 \ft \+xt Jr 33:18; 35:19\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 37 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Only if the heavens above can~be~measured
\q and the foundations of~the~earth~below~explored,
\q will I reject all of Israel’s~descendants
\q because of all~they~have~done~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\p
\v 38 “Look, the days are coming”~#—~#the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“when the city~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 31:38 \ft = Jerusalem\f* from the Tower of Hananel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:38 \ft \+xt Neh 3:1; 12:39\+xt*\f* to the Corner Gate~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:38 \ft \+xt 2Kg 14:13; 2Ch 26:9; Zch 14:10\+xt*\f* will be rebuilt for the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 39 A measuring line will once again stretch out straight to the hill of Gareb~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:39 \ft \+xt Zch 2:1\+xt*\f* and then turn toward Goah.
\v 40 The whole valley~#—~#the corpses, the ashes, and all the fields as far as the Kidron Valley~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:40 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:4\+xt*\f* to the corner of the Horse Gate~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:40 \ft \+xt Neh 3:28\+xt*\f* to the east~#—~#will be holy to the \nd Lord\nd*. It will never be uprooted or demolished again.”
\c 32
\s1 Jeremiah’s Land Purchase
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd* in the tenth year of King Zedekiah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:17–20; 2Ch 36:10–12; Jr 27:1–11\+xt*\f* of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:1 \ft \+xt Jr 29:1\+xt*\f*
\v 2 At that time, the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:2 \ft \+xt Jr 39:1\+xt*\f* and the prophet Jeremiah was imprisoned in the guard’s courtyard~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:2 \ft \+xt Neh 3:25; Jr 33:1; 37:21; 38:6; 39:14\+xt*\f* in the palace of the king of Judah.
\v 3 King Zedekiah of Judah had imprisoned him, saying, “Why are you prophesying as you do? You say, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Look, I am about to hand this city over to Babylon’s king, and he will capture it.
\v 4 King Zedekiah of Judah will not escape from the Chaldeans; indeed, he will certainly be handed over to Babylon’s king. They will speak face to face~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:4 \ft Lit \fqa His mouth will speak with his mouth\f* and meet eye to eye.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:4 \ft \+xt Jr 34:3\+xt*\f*
\v 5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will stay until I attend to him~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration. For you will fight the Chaldeans, but you will not succeed.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:3–5 \ft \+xt Jr 21:3–7; 27:22; 34:2–3; 37:11–14\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 6 Jeremiah replied, “The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to me:
\v 7 Watch! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy my field in Anathoth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:7 \ft \+xt 1Kg 2:26; Jr 1:1; 11:21,23\+xt*\f* for yourself, for you own the right of redemption~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:7 \ft \+xt Lv 25:24–52; Ru 4:1–7\+xt*\f* to buy it.’
\p
\v 8 “Then, as the \nd Lord\nd* had said, my cousin Hanamel came to the guard’s courtyard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 9 So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out the silver to him~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:9 \ft \+xt Gn 23:16; Zch 11:12\+xt*\f*~#—~#seventeen shekels~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 32:9 \ft About seven ounces\f* of silver.
\v 10 I recorded it on a scroll,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:10 \ft \+xt Jr 32:44\+xt*\f* sealed it, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
\v 11 I took the purchase agreement~#—~#the sealed copy with its terms and conditions and the open copy~#—~#
\v 12 and gave the purchase agreement to Baruch~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:12 \ft \+xt Jr 36:4–32; 43:3,6; 45:1–2\+xt*\f* son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah. I did this in the sight of my cousin~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 32:12 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read \fqa uncle\f* Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the purchase agreement, and all the Judeans sitting in the guard’s courtyard.
\p
\v 13 “I charged Baruch in their sight,
\v 14 ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Take these scrolls~#—~#this purchase agreement with the sealed copy and this open copy~#—~#and put them in an earthen storage jar so they will last a long time.
\v 15 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:15 \ft \+xt Jr 32:43\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 16 “After I had given the purchase agreement to Baruch, son of Neriah, I prayed to the \nd Lord\nd*:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:16 \ft \+xt Jr 42:4\+xt*\f*
\v 17 Oh, Lord \nd God\nd*! You yourself made the heavens and earth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:17 \ft \+xt 2Kg 19:15; 2Ch 2:12; Is 37:16\+xt*\f* by your great power~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:17 \ft \+xt Dt 4:37; Neh 1:10; Jr 27:5\+xt*\f* and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:17 \ft \+xt Gn 18:14; Ex 3:20; 15:11; 34:10; Dt 17:8; Ps 40:5; 78:4; Jr 32:27; Zch 8:6; Mt 17:20; 19:26\+xt*\f*
\v 18 You show faithful love to thousands but lay the fathers’ iniquity on their sons’ laps after them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:18 \ft \+xt Ex 20:5–6; 34:7; Nm 14:18; Dt 5:9–10; 7:9\+xt*\f* great and mighty God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:18 \ft \+xt Neh 9:32\+xt*\f* whose name is the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies,
\v 19 the one great in counsel and powerful in action. Your eyes are on all the ways of the children of men~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:19 \ft Or \fqa Adam\f* in order to reward each person according to his ways and as the result of his actions.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:19 \ft \+xt Jr 4:18; 17:10\+xt*\f*
\v 20 You performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:20 \ft \+xt Ex 1–15; Dt 6:22; Neh 9:10\+xt*\f* and still do today, both in Israel and among all mankind. You made a name~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:20 \ft \+xt Is 63:12,14; Dn 9:15\+xt*\f* for yourself, as is the case today.
\v 21 You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:21 \ft \+xt Ex 7:3; Dt 4:34; 6:22; 26:8; 34:11; Ps 78:43; 135:9\+xt*\f*
\v 22 You gave them this land you swore to give to their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:22 \ft \+xt Ex 3:8,17; Lv 20:24; Nm 13:27; Dt 26:9\+xt*\f*
\v 23 They entered and possessed it, but they did not obey you or live according to your instructions.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:23 \ft \+xt Nm 14:22; Dt 28:45,62; Jos 5:6; Jdg 6:10; 2Kg 18:12; Ps 78:10; 81:11; Is 42:24; Jr 9:13; 32:23; 44:10\+xt*\f* They failed to perform all you commanded them to do,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:23 \ft \+xt Jr 11:8\+xt*\f* and so you have brought all this disaster on them.
\v 24 Look! Siege ramps~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:24 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:1; Jr 6:6; Ezk 4:2\+xt*\f* have come against the city to capture it, and the city, as a result of the sword, famine, and plague, has been handed over to the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you have spoken has happened. Look, you can see it!
\v 25 Yet you, Lord \nd God\nd*, have said to me, ‘Purchase the field and call in witnesses’~#—~#even though the city has been handed over to the Chaldeans!~”
\p
\v 26 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah:
\v 27 “Look, I am the \nd Lord\nd*, the God over every creature.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:27 \ft \+xt Nm 16:22; 27:16\+xt*\f* Is anything too difficult for me?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:27 \ft \+xt Gn 18:4\+xt*\f*
\v 28 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: I am about to hand this city over to the Chaldeans,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:28 \ft \+xt Jr 32:3\+xt*\f* to Babylon’s king Nebuchadnezzar, and he will capture it.
\v 29 The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come and set this city on fire. They will burn it, including the houses where incense has been burned to Baal on their rooftops and where drink offerings have been poured out to other gods to anger me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:29 \ft \+xt Jr 11:17; 44:3,8\+xt*\f*
\v 30 From their youth, the Israelites and Judeans have done nothing but what is evil in my sight! They have done nothing but anger me by the work of their hands”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:30 \ft \+xt Jr 25:7\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#
\v 31 “for this city has caused my wrath and fury from the day it was built until now. I will therefore remove it from my presence~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:31 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:27; 24:3\+xt*\f*
\v 32 because of all the evil the Israelites and Judeans have done to anger me~#—~#they, their kings,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:32 \ft \+xt Jr 2:26\+xt*\f* their officials, their priests, and their prophets, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem.
\v 33 They have turned their backs to me and not their faces.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:33 \ft \+xt 2Ch 29:6; Jr 2:27; 18:17; Ezk 8:16\+xt*\f* Though I taught them time and time again,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:33 \ft Lit \fqa them, rising up early and teaching\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:33 \ft \+xt Jr 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 35:14,15; 44:4\+xt*\f* they do not listen and receive discipline.
\v 34 They have placed their abhorrent things~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:34 \ft \+xt Jr 4:1; 7:30; Ezk 5:11\+xt*\f* in the house that bears my name and have defiled it.
\v 35 They have built the high places of Baal in Ben Hinnom Valley to sacrifice their sons and daughters in the fire~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:35 \ft Lit \fqa to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire\f* to Molech~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:35 \ft \+xt Lv 18:21; 20:2–5; Dt 18:10; 2Kg 23:10; Jr 7:31; 19:4\+xt*\f*~#—~#something I had not commanded them. I had never entertained the thought~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:35 \ft Lit \fqa them, and it did not arise on my heart\f* that they do this detestable act causing Judah to sin!
\p
\v 36 “Now therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says to this city about which you said, ‘It has been handed over to Babylon’s king through sword, famine, and plague’:
\v 37 I will certainly gather them from all the lands where I have banished them in my anger, fury, and intense wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them live in safety.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:37 \ft \+xt Dt 12:10; Is 11:12; Jr 23:3; 29:14; 30:10; 31:8–14; Ezk 11:17; 28:26; 34:25,28; 36:24\+xt*\f*
\v 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:38 \ft \+xt Jr 11:4; 24:7; 30:22; Ezk 11:20; 14:11; 36:28; 37:23\+xt*\f*
\v 39 I will give them integrity of heart~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:39 \ft \+xt Ezk 11:19\+xt*\f* and action~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:39 \ft Lit \fqa give them one heart and one way\f* so that they will fear me always, for their good and for the good of their descendants after them.
\p
\v 40 “I will make a permanent covenant with them:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:40 \ft \+xt Gn 17:7,13,19; Is 55:3; 61:8; Jr 50:5; Ezk 16:60; 37:26\+xt*\f* I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put fear of me in their hearts so they will never again turn away from me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:40 \ft \+xt Dt 19:20; Is 2:4; 60:18; Jr 3:16; 30:8; 31:34; Ezk 29:16; Jl 2:26–27; Am 9:15; Mc 4:3; Nah 1:15; Zph 3:11; Heb 8:11; 10:17\+xt*\f*
\v 41 I will take delight in them to do what is good for them, and with all my heart and mind I will faithfully plant them in this land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:41 \ft \+xt Jr 24:6\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 42 “For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Just as I have brought all this terrible disaster on these people,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:42 \ft \+xt Jr 31:28\+xt*\f* so am I about to bring on them all the good I am promising them.
\v 43 Fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:43 \ft \+xt Jr 32:15\+xt*\f* ‘It’s a desolation~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:43 \ft \+xt Jr 33:10\+xt*\f* without people or animals; it has been handed over to the Chaldeans!~’
\v 44 Fields will be purchased, the transaction written on a scroll and sealed,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:44 \ft \+xt Jr 32:10\+xt*\f* and witnesses will be called on in the land of Benjamin,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:44 \ft \+xt Jr 17:26\+xt*\f* in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in Judah’s cities~#—~#the cities of the hill country, the cities of the Judean foothills, and the cities of the Negev~#—~#because I will restore their fortunes.”~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:44 \ft Or \fqa will end their captivity\f*
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\c 33
\s1 Israel’s Restoration
\m
\v 1 While he was still confined in the guard’s courtyard,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:1 \ft \+xt Jr 32:2\+xt*\f* the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah a second time:
\v 2 “The \nd Lord\nd* who made the earth,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 33:2 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa made it\f* the \nd Lord\nd* who forms it to establish it,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:2 \ft \+xt Gn 2:18–19\+xt*\f* the \nd Lord\nd* is his name,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:2 \ft \+xt Ex 6:3\+xt*\f* says this:
\v 3 Call to me and I will answer you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:3 \ft \+xt Ps 91:15; Jr 29:12\+xt*\f* and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:3 \ft \+xt Is 48:6\+xt*\f*
\v 4 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says concerning the houses of this city and the palaces of Judah’s kings, the ones torn down for defense against the assault ramps and the sword:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:4 \ft \+xt Jr 32:24\+xt*\f*
\v 5 The people coming to fight the Chaldeans will fill the houses with the corpses of their own men that I strike down in my wrath and fury. I have hidden my face~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:5 \ft \+xt Dt 31:17; 32:20; Is 54:8\+xt*\f* from this city because of all their evil.
\v 6 Yet I will certainly bring health~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:6 \ft \+xt Is 58:8; Jr 8:22; 30:17\+xt*\f* and healing to it and will indeed heal them. I will let them experience the abundance~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:6 \ft Or \fqa fragrance\ft ; Hb obscure\f* of true peace.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:6 \ft \+xt 2Kg 20:19; Est 9:30; Is 39:8\+xt*\f*
\v 7 I will restore the fortunes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:7 \ft Or \fqa will end the captivity\ft , also in v.~11\f* of Judah and of Israel and will rebuild them as in former times.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:7 \ft \+xt Is 1:26\+xt*\f*
\v 8 I will purify them from all the iniquity they have committed against me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:8 \ft \+xt Ps 51:2; Ezk 36:25; Heb 9:11–14\+xt*\f* and I will forgive all the iniquities they have committed against me, rebelling against me.
\v 9 This city will bear on my behalf a name of joy, praise, and glory~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:9 \ft \+xt Dt 26:19; Jr 13:11; Zph 3:19–20\+xt*\f* before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the prosperity I will give them. They will tremble with awe because of all the good and all the peace~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:9 \ft \+xt Jr 8:15; 14:19\+xt*\f* I will bring about for them.
\p
\v 10 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: In this place, which you say is a ruin,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:10 \ft \+xt Jr 32:43\+xt*\f* without people or animals~#—~#that is, in Judah’s cities and Jerusalem’s streets that are a desolation without people, without inhabitants, and without animals~#—~#there will be heard again
\v 11 a sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the groom and the bride,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:11 \ft \+xt Jr 7:34; 16:9; 25:10\+xt*\f* and the voice of those saying,
\q Give thanks to the \nd Lord\nd* of~Armies,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* is~good;
\q his faithful love endures~forever
\m as they bring thanksgiving sacrifices to the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as in former times, says the \nd Lord\nd*.
\p
\v 12 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says: In this desolate place~#—~#without people or animals~#—~#and in all its cities there will once more be a grazing land where shepherds may rest flocks.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:12 \ft \+xt Is 65:10; Ezk 34:12–15\+xt*\f*
\v 13 The flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:13 \ft \+xt Lv 27:32\+xt*\f* in the cities of the hill country,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:13 \ft \+xt Jr 17:26\+xt*\f* the cities of the Judean foothills, the cities of the Negev, the land of Benjamin~#—~#the areas around Jerusalem and in Judah’s cities, says the \nd Lord\nd*.
\s1 God’s Covenant with David
\qc
\v 14 “Look, the days are~coming”~—
\qc this is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\qc “when I will~fulfill the~good~promise
\qc that I have~spoken
\qc concerning the house~of~Israel
\qc and the house~of~Judah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:14 \ft \+xt Jos 21:45; Jr 23:5–6\+xt*\f*
\qc
\v 15 In those days and at~that~time
\qc I will cause a~Righteous~Branch~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:15 \ft \+xt Is 4:2; Zch 3:8\+xt*\f*
\qc to sprout~up for~David,
\qc and he will administer~justice
\qc and righteousness in~the~land.
\qc
\v 16 In those days Judah will~be~saved,
\qc and Jerusalem will~dwell~securely,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:16 \ft \+xt Dt 33:12\+xt*\f*
\qc and this is what she will~be~named:
\qc The \nd Lord\nd* Is~Our~Righteousness.~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 33:16 \ft = \fqa Yahweh-zidkenu\f*
\b
\p
\v 17 “For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: David will never fail to have a man sitting on the throne of the house of Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:17 \ft \+xt 1Kg 2:4; 8:25; 9:5\+xt*\f*
\v 18 The Levitical priests will never fail to have a man always before me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:18 \ft \+xt Jr 31:36; 35:19\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 19 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah:
\v 20 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night so that day and night cease to come at their regular time,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:20 \ft \+xt Gn 8:22; Is 54:9–10; Jr 31:35–37\+xt*\f*
\v 21 then also my covenant with my servant David~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:21 \ft \+xt 2Sm 7:11–16; 2Ch 21:7; Ps 89:3\+xt*\f* may be broken. If that could happen, then he would not have a son reigning on his throne and the Levitical priests would not be my ministers.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:21 \ft \+xt Is 61:6; Ezk 45:4–5; Jl 1:9,13\+xt*\f*
\v 22 Even as the stars of heaven cannot be counted, and the sand of the sea cannot be measured,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:22 \ft \+xt Gn 22:17\+xt*\f* so too I will make innumerable the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister to me.”
\p
\v 23 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah:
\v 24 “Have you not noticed what these people have said? They say, ‘The \nd Lord\nd* has rejected the two families he had chosen.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:24 \ft \+xt Dt 7:6; 14:2\+xt*\f* My people are treated with contempt and no longer regarded as a nation among them.
\v 25 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: If I do not keep my covenant with the day and with the night, and if I fail to establish the fixed order of heaven and earth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:25 \ft \+xt Ps 74:16–17\+xt*\f*
\v 26 then I might also reject the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David. That is, I would not take rulers from his descendants to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But in fact, I will restore their fortunes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:26 \ft Or \fqa I will end their captivity\f* and have compassion on them.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:26 \ft \+xt Jr 12:15; 30:18; 31:20; 33:7; 42:12\+xt*\f*
\c 34
\s1 Jeremiah’s Word to King Zedekiah
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd* when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:1; Jr 39:1; 52:4\+xt*\f* his whole army, all the kingdoms of the lands under his control,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:1 \ft \+xt Jr 1:15\+xt*\f* and all other peoples were fighting against Jerusalem and all its surrounding cities:
\v 2 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: Go, speak to King Zedekiah of Judah, and tell him, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:2 \ft \+xt Jr 32:3,28\+xt*\f* and he will burn it.
\v 3 As for you, you will not escape~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:3 \ft \+xt Jr 32:4; 38:18,23; Ezk 17:18; 1Th 5:3\+xt*\f* from him but are certain to be captured and handed over to him. You will meet the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak face to face;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 34:3 \ft Lit \fqa and his mouth will speak to your mouth\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:3 \ft \+xt Jr 32:4\+xt*\f* you will go to Babylon.
\p
\v 4 “~‘Yet hear the \nd Lord\nd*’s word, King Zedekiah of Judah. This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;
\v 5 you will die peacefully. There will be a burning ceremony for you just like the burning ceremonies for your ancestors, the kings of old who came before you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:5 \ft \+xt 2Ch 16:14; 21:19\+xt*\f* “Oh, master!~” will be the lament for you, for I have spoken this word. This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.’~”
\p
\v 6 So the prophet Jeremiah related all these words to King Zedekiah of Judah in Jerusalem
\v 7 while the king of Babylon’s army was attacking Jerusalem and all of Judah’s remaining cities~#—~#that is, Lachish and Azekah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:7 \ft \+xt Jos 10:3–35\+xt*\f* for they were the only ones left of Judah’s fortified cities.
\s1 The People and Their Slaves
\m
\v 8 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd* after King Zedekiah made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:8 \ft \+xt Lv 25:10; Is 61:1; Ezk 46:17\+xt*\f* to them.
\v 9 As a result, each was to let his male and female Hebrew slaves go free, and no one was to enslave his fellow Judean.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:9 \ft \+xt Lv 25:39\+xt*\f*
\v 10 All the officials and people who entered into covenant to let their male and female slaves go free~#—~#in order not to enslave them any longer~#—~#obeyed and let them go free.
\v 11 Afterward, however, they changed their minds and took back their male and female slaves they had let go free and forced them to become slaves again.
\p
\v 12 Then the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd*:
\v 13 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:13 \ft \+xt Jr 31:32\+xt*\f* with your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery, saying,
\v 14 ‘At the end of seven years, each of you must let his fellow Hebrew who sold himself~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 34:14 \ft Or \fqa who was sold\f* to you go. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free from your service.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:14 \ft \+xt Ex 21:2–6; Dt 15:12–17\+xt*\f* But your ancestors did not obey me or pay any attention.
\v 15 Today you repented and did what pleased me, each of you proclaiming freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:15 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:3\+xt*\f* at the house that bears my name.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:15 \ft \+xt Jr 7:10–11\+xt*\f*
\v 16 But you have changed your minds~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:16 \ft \+xt Jr 34:11\+xt*\f* and profaned my name.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:16 \ft \+xt Lv 19:12; 22:32; Pr 30:9; Ezk 20:9,14,22; 36:20–23; 39:7; Am 2:7; Mal 1:11–12\+xt*\f* Each has taken back his male and female slaves who had been set free to go wherever they wanted, and you have again forced them to be your slaves.
\p
\v 17 “Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: You have not obeyed me by proclaiming freedom, each for his fellow Hebrew and for his neighbor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:17 \ft \+xt Is 9:19; Jr 31:34; Zch 7:9–10; Mal 2:10\+xt*\f* I hereby proclaim freedom for you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:17 \ft \+xt Mt 7:2\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#to the sword, to plague, and to famine! I will make you a horror to all the earth’s kingdoms.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:17 \ft \+xt 2Ch 29:8; Jr 15:4; 24:9; 29:18\+xt*\f*
\v 18 As for those who disobeyed my covenant,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:18 \ft \+xt Jos 7:11; 2Kg 18:12\+xt*\f* not keeping the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat them like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:18 \ft \+xt Gn 15:10,17–18; 1Sm 11:7\+xt*\f*
\v 19 The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf~#—~#
\v 20 all these I will hand over to their enemies, to those who intend to take their life. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:20 \ft \+xt Dt 28:26; Is 18:6; Jr 7:33\+xt*\f*
\v 21 I will hand King Zedekiah of Judah and his officials over to their enemies, to those who intend to take their lives, to the king of Babylon’s army that is withdrawing.
\v 22 I am about to give the command~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, capture it, and burn it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:22 \ft \+xt Jr 21:10; 34:2; 37:8; 38:18\+xt*\f* I will make Judah’s cities a desolation, without inhabitant.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:22 \ft \+xt Jr 4:7; 9:11; 33:10; 44:22; 46:19; 48:9; 51:37\+xt*\f*
\c 35
\s1 The Rechabites’ Example
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd* in the days of Jehoiakim~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:34–24:19; 2Ch 36:4–8\+xt*\f* son of Josiah, king of Judah:
\v 2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:2 \ft \+xt 1Ch 2:55\+xt*\f* and bring them to one of the chambers~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:2 \ft \+xt 1Kg 6:5,8; 1Ch 9:26,33\+xt*\f* of the temple of the \nd Lord\nd* to offer them a drink of wine.”
\p
\v 3 So I took Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons~#—~#the entire house of the Rechabites~#—~#
\v 4 and I brought them into the temple of the \nd Lord\nd* to a chamber occupied by the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:4 \ft \+xt Dt 33:1\+xt*\f* who had a chamber near the officials’ chamber, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper.
\v 5 I set jars filled with wine and some cups before the sons of the house of the Rechabites and said to them, “Drink wine!~”
\p
\v 6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, for Jonadab,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:6 \ft \+xt 2Kg 10:15,23\+xt*\f* son of our ancestor Rechab, commanded, ‘You and your descendants must never drink wine.
\v 7 You must not build a house or sow seed or plant a vineyard. Those things are not for you. Rather, you must live in tents your whole life, so you may live a long time on the soil where you stay as a resident alien.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:7 \ft \+xt Ex 20:12; Eph 6:2–3\+xt*\f*
\v 8 We have obeyed Jonadab, son of our ancestor Rechab, in all he commanded us. So we haven’t drunk wine our whole life~#—~#we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters.
\v 9 We also have not built houses to live in and do not have vineyard, field, or seed.
\v 10 But we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done everything our ancestor Jonadab commanded us.
\v 11 However, when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon marched into the land,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:11 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:1–2\+xt*\f* we said, ‘Come, let’s go into Jerusalem to get away from the Chaldean and Aramean armies.’ So we have been living in Jerusalem.”
\p
\v 12 Then the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah:
\v 13 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go, say to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem, ‘Will you not accept discipline~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:13 \ft \+xt Jr 31:18; 32:33\+xt*\f* by listening to my words?~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\v 14 The words of Jonadab, son of Rechab, have been carried out. He commanded his descendants not to drink wine, and they have not drunk to this day because they have obeyed their ancestor’s command. But I have spoken to you time and time again,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 35:14 \ft Lit \fqa you, rising up early and speaking\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:14 \ft \+xt Jr 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 44:4\+xt*\f* and you have not obeyed me!
\v 15 Time and time again~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 35:15 \ft Lit \fqa Rising up early and sending\f* I have sent you all my servants the prophets, proclaiming, “Turn, each one from his evil way,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:15 \ft \+xt Jr 18:11\+xt*\f* and correct your actions. Stop following other gods to serve them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:15 \ft \+xt Jr 7:6\+xt*\f* Live in the land that I gave you and your ancestors.” But you did not pay attention or obey me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:15 \ft \+xt Jr 34:14\+xt*\f*
\v 16 Yes, the sons of Jonadab son of Rechab carried out their ancestor’s command he gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.
\v 17 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will certainly bring on Judah and on all the residents of Jerusalem all the disaster I have pronounced against them because I have spoken to them, but they have not obeyed, and I have called to them, but they did not answer.’~”
\p
\v 18 But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the command of your ancestor Jonadab and have kept all his commands and have done everything he commanded you,
\v 19 this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Jonadab son of Rechab will never fail to have a man to stand before me always.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:19 \ft \+xt Jr 31:36; 33:18\+xt*\f*
\c 36
\s1 Jeremiah Dictates a Scroll
\m
\v 1 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:1 \ft \+xt Jr 25:1; 45:1; 46:2\+xt*\f* king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd*:
\v 2 “Take a scroll,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:2 \ft \+xt Ps 40:7; Jr 30:2; 36:17,28; Ezk 2:9\+xt*\f* and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations from the time I first spoke to you during Josiah’s reign until today.
\v 3 Perhaps when the house of Judah hears about all the disaster I am planning to bring on them, each one of them will turn from his evil way. Then I will forgive their iniquity~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:3 \ft \+xt 2Ch 7:14; Jr 31:34; 33:8; 36:31; Mk 4:12; Ac 26:18\+xt*\f* and their sin.”
\p
\v 4 So Jeremiah summoned Baruch~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:4 \ft \+xt Jr 32:12–16; 43:3,6; 45:1–2\+xt*\f* son of Neriah. At Jeremiah’s dictation,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:4 \ft Lit \fqa From Jeremiah’s mouth\f* Baruch wrote on a scroll all the words the \nd Lord\nd* had spoken to Jeremiah.
\v 5 Then Jeremiah commanded Baruch, “I am restricted;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:5 \ft \+xt Jr 32:2; 33:1\+xt*\f* I cannot enter the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*,
\v 6 so you must go and read from the scroll~#—~#which you wrote at my dictation~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:6 \ft Lit \fqa wrote from my mouth\f*~#—~#the words of the \nd Lord\nd* in the hearing of the people at the temple of the \nd Lord\nd* on a day of fasting. Read his words in the hearing of all the Judeans who are coming from their cities.
\v 7 Perhaps their petition will come before the \nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:7 \ft \+xt 1Kg 8:28,45,49; Ps 119:170\+xt*\f* and each one will turn from his evil way, for the anger and fury that the \nd Lord\nd* has pronounced against this people are intense.”
\v 8 So Baruch son of Neriah did everything the prophet Jeremiah had commanded him. At the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple he read the \nd Lord\nd*’s words from the scroll.
\s1 Baruch Reads the Scroll
\m
\v 9 In the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:9 \ft \+xt Jr 36:22\+xt*\f* all the people of Jerusalem and all those coming in from Judah’s cities into Jerusalem proclaimed a fast before the \nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:9 \ft \+xt 2Ch 20:3\+xt*\f*
\v 10 Then at the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple, in the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:10 \ft \+xt 2Kg 22:3–14; 2Ch 34:8–20; Jr 29:3\+xt*\f* in the upper courtyard at the opening of the New Gate~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:10 \ft \+xt Jr 26:10\+xt*\f* of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple, in the hearing of all the people, Baruch read Jeremiah’s words from the scroll.
\p
\v 11 When Micaiah son of Gemariah, son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the \nd Lord\nd* from the scroll,
\v 12 he went down to the scribe’s chamber in the king’s palace. All the officials were sitting there~#—~#Elishama the scribe, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:12 \ft \+xt Jr 26:22\+xt*\f* Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials.
\v 13 Micaiah reported to them all the words he had heard when Baruch read from the scroll in the hearing of the people.
\v 14 Then all the officials sent word to Baruch through Jehudi son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi, saying, “Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come.” So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll and went to them.
\v 15 They said to him, “Sit down and read it in our hearing.” So Baruch read it in their hearing.
\p
\v 16 When they had heard all the words, they turned to each other in fear and said to Baruch, “We must surely tell the king all these things.”
\v 17 Then they asked Baruch, “Tell us, how did you write all these words? At his dictation?~”~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:17 \ft Lit \fqa From his mouth\ft , also in v.~18\f*
\p
\v 18 Baruch said to them, “At his dictation. He recited all these words to me while I was writing on the scroll in ink.”
\s1 Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll
\m
\v 19 The officials said to Baruch, “You and Jeremiah must hide and tell no one where you are.”
\v 20 Then, after depositing the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, the officials came to the king at the courtyard and reported everything in the hearing of the king.
\v 21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the scribe. Jehudi then read it in the hearing of the king and all the officials who were standing by the king.
\v 22 Since it was the ninth month, the king was sitting in his winter quarters~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:22 \ft \+xt Am 3:15\+xt*\f* with a fire burning in front of him.
\v 23 As soon as Jehudi would read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut the scroll~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:23 \ft Lit \fqa columns, he would tear it\f* with a scribe’s knife and throw the columns into the fire in the hearth until the entire scroll was consumed by the fire in the hearth.
\v 24 As they heard all these words, the king and all his servants did not become terrified~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:24 \ft \+xt Jr 36:16\+xt*\f* or tear their clothes.
\v 25 Even though Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah had urged the king not to burn the scroll, he did not listen to them.
\v 26 Then the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to seize the scribe Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah, but the \nd Lord\nd* hid them.
\s1 Jeremiah Dictates Another Scroll
\m
\v 27 After the king had burned the scroll and the words Baruch had written at Jeremiah’s dictation,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:27 \ft Lit \fqa written from Jeremiah’s mouth\f* the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah:
\v 28 “Take another scroll, and once again write on it the original words that were on the original scroll that King Jehoiakim of Judah burned.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:28 \ft \+xt Ex 34:1\+xt*\f*
\v 29 You are to proclaim concerning King Jehoiakim of Judah, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: You have burned the scroll, asking, “Why have you written on it that~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:29 \ft \+xt Jr 26:9\+xt*\f* the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land and cause it to be without people or animals?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:29 \ft \+xt Ps 135:8; Jr 7:20; 21:6; 32:43; 33:10,12; 50:3; 51:62\+xt*\f*
\v 30 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says concerning King Jehoiakim of Judah: He will have no one to sit on David’s throne,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:30 \ft \+xt Jr 17:25; 22:2,30; 29:16\+xt*\f* and his corpse will be thrown out to be exposed to the heat of day and the frost of night.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:30 \ft \+xt Gn 31:40; Dt 21:23; 1Kg 13:22–30; 2Kg 9:37; Is 14:19; Jr 26:23\+xt*\f*
\v 31 I will punish him, his descendants, and his officers for their iniquity. I will bring on them, on the residents of Jerusalem, and on the people of Judah all the disaster, which I warned them about but they did not listen.’~”
\p
\v 32 Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch son of Neriah, the scribe, and he wrote on it at Jeremiah’s dictation~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:32 \ft Lit \fqa it from Jeremiah’s mouth\f* all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:32 \ft \+xt Jr 36:4,18\+xt*\f* Judah’s king, had burned in the fire. And many other words like them were added.
\c 37
\s1 Jerusalem’s Last Days
\m
\v 1 Zedekiah son of Josiah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:17; 2Ch 36:10\+xt*\f* reigned as king in the land of Judah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:1 \ft \+xt Ezk 17:12–21\+xt*\f* in place of Coniah~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 37:1 \ft = Jehoiachin\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:1 \ft \+xt Jr 22:24\+xt*\f* son of Jehoiakim, for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made him king.
\v 2 He and his officers and the people of the land did not obey the words of the \nd Lord\nd*~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:2 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:12–16\+xt*\f* that he spoke through the prophet Jeremiah.
\p
\v 3 Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:3 \ft \+xt Jr 38:1\+xt*\f* son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:18–21; Jr 21:1; 29:24–29\+xt*\f* son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, requesting, “Please pray to the \nd Lord\nd* our God on our behalf!~”
\v 4 Jeremiah was going about his daily tasks~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 37:4 \ft Lit \fqa was coming in and going out\f* among the people, for he had not yet been put into the prison.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:4 \ft \+xt Jr 32:2–3\+xt*\f*
\v 5 Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:5 \ft \+xt Ezk 17:15\+xt*\f* and when the Chaldeans, who were besieging Jerusalem, heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem.
\p
\v 6 The word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to the prophet Jeremiah:
\v 7 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says: This is what you will say to Judah’s king,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:7 \ft \+xt Jr 21:1–2\+xt*\f* who is sending you to inquire of me: ‘Watch: Pharaoh’s army, which has come out to help you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:7 \ft \+xt Lm 4:17\+xt*\f* is going to return to its own land of Egypt.
\v 8 The Chaldeans will then return and fight against this city. They will capture it and burn it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:8 \ft \+xt Jr 21:10; 34:2,22; 38:18\+xt*\f*
\v 9 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: Don’t deceive yourselves by saying, “The Chaldeans will leave us for good,” for they will not leave.
\v 10 Indeed, if you were to strike down the entire Chaldean army that is fighting with you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:10 \ft \+xt Jr 21:4–5\+xt*\f* and there remained among them only the badly wounded~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 37:10 \ft Lit \fqa the pierced\f* men, each in his tent, they would get up and burn this city.’~”
\s1 Jeremiah’s Imprisonment
\m
\v 11 When the Chaldean army withdrew from Jerusalem because of Pharaoh’s army,
\v 12 Jeremiah started to leave Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin to claim his portion there~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:12 \ft \+xt Jr 32:1–15\+xt*\f* among the people.
\v 13 But when he was at the Benjamin Gate,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:13 \ft \+xt Jr 38:7; Zch 14:10\+xt*\f* an officer of the guard was there, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, and he apprehended the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “You are defecting to the Chaldeans.”
\p
\v 14 “That’s a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not defecting to the Chaldeans!~” Irijah would not listen to him but apprehended Jeremiah and took him to the officials.
\v 15 The officials were angry at Jeremiah and beat him and placed him in jail in the house of Jonathan~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:15 \ft \+xt Jr 38:26\+xt*\f* the scribe, for it had been made into a prison.
\v 16 So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:16 \ft \+xt Gn 40:15; Is 24:22; Zch 9:11\+xt*\f* and stayed there many days.
\s1 Jeremiah Summoned by Zedekiah
\m
\v 17 King Zedekiah later sent for him and received him, and in his house privately asked him, “Is there a word from the \nd Lord\nd*?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:17 \ft \+xt Jr 38:14–16\+xt*\f*
\p “There is,” Jeremiah responded. He continued, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:17 \ft \+xt Jr 21:7\+xt*\f*
\v 18 Then Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you or your servants or these people that you have put me in prison?
\v 19 Where are your prophets who prophesied to you, claiming, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you and this land’?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:19 \ft \+xt Jr 28:1–17\+xt*\f*
\v 20 So now please listen, my lord the king. May my petition come before you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:20 \ft \+xt Jr 38:26\+xt*\f* Don’t send me back to the house of Jonathan the scribe, or I will die there.”
\p
\v 21 So King Zedekiah gave orders, and Jeremiah was placed in the guard’s courtyard.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:21 \ft \+xt Jr 32:2\+xt*\f* He was given a loaf of bread each day from the bakers’ street until all the bread was gone from the city. So Jeremiah remained in the guard’s courtyard.
\c 38
\s1 Jeremiah Thrown into a Cistern
\m
\v 1 Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucal~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 38:1 \ft = Jehucal in Jr 37:3\f* son of Shelemiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:1 \ft \+xt Jr 37:3\+xt*\f* and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard the words Jeremiah was speaking to all the people:
\v 2 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:2 \ft \+xt Jr 14:12; 21:9; 24:10; 27:8; 29:17–18; 32:24,36; 38:2; 42:17,22; 44:13; Ezk 6:11; 12:16\+xt*\f* but whoever surrenders to the Chaldeans will live.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:2 \ft \+xt Jr 21:9; 38:17–21\+xt*\f* He will retain his life like the spoils of war and will live.’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:2 \ft \+xt Jr 21:9; 39:18; 45:5\+xt*\f*
\v 3 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: ‘This city will most certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon’s army,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:3 \ft \+xt Jr 32:3–5\+xt*\f* and he will capture it.’~”
\p
\v 4 The officials then said to the king, “This man ought to die, because he is weakening the morale~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:4 \ft Lit \fqa hands\f* of the warriors who remain in this city and of all the people by speaking to them in this way. This man is not pursuing the welfare of this people, but their harm.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:4 \ft \+xt Jr 29:11\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 5 King Zedekiah said, “Here he is; he’s in your hands since the king can’t do anything against you.”
\v 6 So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah the king’s son, which was in the guard’s courtyard, lowering Jeremiah with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:6 \ft \+xt Gn 37:20–24\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 7 But Ebed-melech, a Cushite court official in the king’s palace, heard Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:7 \ft \+xt Jr 20:2; Ezk 48:32; Zch 14:10\+xt*\f*
\v 8 Ebed-melech went from the king’s palace and spoke to the king:
\v 9 “My lord the king, these men have been evil in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah. They have dropped him into the cistern where he will die from hunger, because there is no more bread in the city.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:9 \ft \+xt Jr 37:21\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 10 So the king commanded Ebed-melech, the Cushite, “Take from here thirty men under your authority~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:10 \ft Lit \fqa men in your hand\f* and pull the prophet Jeremiah up from the cistern before he dies.”
\p
\v 11 So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:11 \ft Lit \fqa men in his hand\f* and went to the king’s palace to a place below the storehouse.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:11 \ft Or \fqa treasury\f* From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them by ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.
\v 12 Ebed-melech the Cushite called down to Jeremiah, “Place these old rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.” Jeremiah did this.
\v 13 They pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, but he remained in the guard’s courtyard.
\s1 Zedekiah’s Final Meeting with Jeremiah
\m
\v 14 King Zedekiah sent for the prophet Jeremiah and received him at the third entrance of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple. The king said to Jeremiah, “I am going to ask you something; don’t hide anything from me.”
\p
\v 15 Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, you will kill me, won’t you? Besides, if I give you advice, you won’t listen to me anyway.”
\p
\v 16 King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in private,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:16 \ft \+xt Jr 37:17\+xt*\f* “As the \nd Lord\nd* lives, who has given us this life,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:16 \ft \+xt Is 57:16\+xt*\f* I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who intend to take your life.”
\p
\v 17 Jeremiah therefore said to Zedekiah, “This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘If indeed you surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:17 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:12; Jr 27:12; 38:2; 39:3\+xt*\f* then you will live, this city will not be burned, and you and your household will survive.
\v 18 But if you do not surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city will be handed over to the Chaldeans.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:18 \ft \+xt Jr 22:25; 32:24–25,28,43; 43:3\+xt*\f* They will burn it, and you yourself will not escape from them.’~”
\p
\v 19 But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am worried about the Judeans who have defected to the Chaldeans. They may hand me over to the Judeans to abuse me.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:19 \ft \+xt Jdg 19:25; 1Sm 31:4\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 20 “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the \nd Lord\nd* in what I am telling you, so it may go well for you and you can live.
\v 21 But if you refuse to surrender, this is the verdict~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:21 \ft Or \fqa promise\ft ; lit \fqa word\f* that the \nd Lord\nd* has shown me:
\v 22 ‘All the women~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:22 \ft Or \fqa wives\f* who remain in the palace of Judah’s king will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon and will say to you,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 38:22 \fq to you \ft supplied for clarity\f*
\q “Your trusted friends~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:22 \ft Lit \fqa “The men of your peace\f* misled~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:22 \ft Or \fqa incited\f*~you
\q and overcame you.
\q Your feet sank into~the~mire,
\q and they deserted~you.”
\m
\v 23 All your wives and children will be brought out to the Chaldeans.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:23 \ft \+xt Jr 39:6; 41:10\+xt*\f* You yourself will not escape from them, for you will be seized by the king of Babylon and this city will burn.’~”
\p
\v 24 Then Zedekiah warned Jeremiah, “Don’t let anyone know about this conversation~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:24 \ft Lit \fqa about these words\f* or you will die.
\v 25 The officials may hear that I have spoken with you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:25 \ft \+xt Jr 38:4–6\+xt*\f* and come and demand of you, ‘Tell us what you said to the king; don’t hide anything from us and we won’t kill you. Also, what did the king say to you?~’
\v 26 If they do, tell them, ‘I was bringing before the king my petition that he not return me to the house of Jonathan to die there.’~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:26 \ft \+xt Jr 37:20\+xt*\f*
\v 27 All the officials did come to Jeremiah, and they questioned him. He reported the exact words to them the king had commanded, and they quit speaking with him because the conversation~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:27 \ft Lit \fqa word\f* had not been overheard.
\v 28 Jeremiah remained in the guard’s courtyard until the day Jerusalem was captured, and he was there when it happened.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:28 \ft Or \fqa captured. This is what happened when Jerusalem was captured:\f*
\c 39
\s1 The Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon
\m
\v 1 In the ninth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, in the tenth month, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon advanced against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:1–7 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:1–7; Jr 52:4–11; Ezk 24:1–2\+xt*\f*
\v 2 In the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, on the ninth day of the month, the city was broken into.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:2 \ft \+xt Lm 4:10\+xt*\f*
\v 3 All the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar, Nebusarsechim~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 39:3 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa Samgar-nebu, Sarsechim\f* the chief of staff, Nergal-sharezer the chief soothsayer, and all the rest of the officials of Babylon’s king.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:8\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 4 When King Zedekiah of Judah and all the fighting men saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:4 \ft \+xt Neh 3:15\+xt*\f* through the city gate between the two walls. They left along the route to the Arabah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:4 \ft \+xt Dt 2:8; 2Sm 4:7\+xt*\f*
\v 5 However, the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They arrested him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon’s king, at Riblah in the land of Hamath. The king passed sentence on him there.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:5 \ft \+xt Jr 32:4–5; 34:3\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 6 At Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes, and he also slaughtered all Judah’s nobles.
\v 7 Then he blinded Zedekiah and put him in bronze chains to take him to Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:7 \ft \+xt Ezk 12:8–13\+xt*\f*
\v 8 The Chaldeans next burned down the king’s palace and the people’s houses and tore down the walls of Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:8 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:9\+xt*\f*
\v 9 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guards,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:9 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:8–20; Jr 52:12–30; Dn 2:14\+xt*\f* deported the rest of the people to Babylon~#—~#those who had remained in the city and those deserters who had defected to him along with the rest of the people who remained.
\v 10 However, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guards, left in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing, and he gave them vineyards and fields at that time.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:8–10 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:9–12; Jr 52:13–16\+xt*\f*
\s1 Jeremiah Freed by Nebuchadnezzar
\m
\v 11 Speaking through Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon gave orders concerning Jeremiah:
\v 12 “Take him and look after him. Don’t do him any harm, but do for him whatever he says.”
\v 13 Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, Nebushazban the chief of staff, Nergal-sharezer the chief soothsayer, and all the captains of Babylon’s king
\v 14 had Jeremiah brought from the guard’s courtyard~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:14 \ft \+xt Jr 38:28; 40:1–6\+xt*\f* and turned him over to Gedaliah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:14 \ft \+xt Jr 40:5,7\+xt*\f* son of Ahikam,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:14 \ft \+xt 2Kg 22:12\+xt*\f* son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he settled among his own people.
\p
\v 15 Now the word of the \nd Lord\nd* had come to Jeremiah when he was confined in the guard’s courtyard:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:15 \ft \+xt Jr 33:1\+xt*\f*
\v 16 “Go tell Ebed-melech the Cushite,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:16 \ft \+xt Jr 38:1–13\+xt*\f* ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words for disaster and not for good against this city. They will take place before your eyes on that day.
\v 17 But I will rescue you on that day~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#and you will not be handed over to the men you dread.
\v 18 Indeed, I will certainly deliver you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in me, you will retain your life like the spoils of war.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:18 \ft \+xt Jr 21:9; 38:2; 45:5\+xt*\f* This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.’~”
\c 40
\s1 Jeremiah Stays in Judah
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the \nd Lord\nd* after Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, released him at Ramah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:1 \ft \+xt 1Kg 15:17–22; 2Ch 16:1–6\+xt*\f* When he found him, he was bound in chains with all the exiles of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon.
\v 2 The captain of the guards took Jeremiah and said to him, “The \nd Lord\nd* your God decreed this disaster on this place,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:2 \ft \+xt Dt 29:24–28\+xt*\f*
\v 3 and the \nd Lord\nd* has fulfilled it. He has done just what he decreed. Because you people have sinned against the \nd Lord\nd*~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:3 \ft \+xt Dn 9:10–12\+xt*\f* and have not obeyed him, this thing has happened.
\v 4 Now pay attention: Today I am setting you free from the chains that were on your hands.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:4 \ft \+xt Jr 39:12\+xt*\f* If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:4 \ft Lit \fqa Babylon, stop\f* Look~#—~#the whole land is in front of you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:4 \ft \+xt Gn 20:15\+xt*\f* Wherever it seems good and right for you to go, go there.”
\v 5 When Jeremiah had not yet turned to go, Nebuzaradan said to him,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 40:5 \fq Nebuzaradan said to him \ft supplied for clarity\f* “Return~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 40:5 \ft LXX reads \fqa “But if not, run, return\ft ; Hb obscure\f* to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people or go wherever it seems right for you to go.” So the captain of the guards gave him a ration~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:5 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:30; Jr 52:34\+xt*\f* and a gift~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:5 \ft \+xt 2Sm 11:8\+xt*\f* and released him.
\v 6 Jeremiah therefore went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:6 \ft \+xt Jdg 20:1–3; 1Sm 7:5–16; Jr 41:1–16\+xt*\f* and he stayed with him among the people who remained in the land.
\s1 Gedaliah Advises Peace
\m
\v 7 All the commanders of the armies that were in the countryside~#—~#they and their men~#—~#heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land. He had been put in charge of the men, women, and children from among the poorest of the land, who had not been deported to Babylon.
\v 8 So they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. The commanders included Ishmael~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:8 \ft \+xt Jr 41:1,9\+xt*\f* son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite~#—~#they and their men.
\p
\v 9 Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore an oath to them and their men, assuring them, “Don’t be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well for you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:7–9 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:22–24\+xt*\f*
\v 10 As for me, I am going to live in Mizpah to represent you~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:10 \ft Lit \fqa to stand\f* before the Chaldeans~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:10 \ft \+xt Dt 1:38\+xt*\f* who come to us. As for you, gather wine, summer fruit, and oil, place them in your storage jars, and live in the cities you have captured.”
\p
\v 11 When all the Judeans in Moab~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:11 \ft \+xt Nm 22:1\+xt*\f* and among the Ammonites and in~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:11 \ft \+xt 1Sm 11:1; 12:12\+xt*\f* Edom and in all the other lands~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:11 \ft \+xt Gn 36:8\+xt*\f* also heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, over them,
\v 12 they all returned from all the places where they had been banished~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:12 \ft \+xt Jr 23:3,8; 29:14; 32:37\+xt*\f* and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and harvested a great amount of wine and summer fruit.
\p
\v 13 Meanwhile, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies in the countryside came to Gedaliah at Mizpah
\v 14 and warned him, “Don’t you realize that Baalis, king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:14 \ft \+xt Jr 41:10\+xt*\f* to kill you?~” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam would not believe them.
\v 15 Then Johanan son of Kareah suggested to Gedaliah in private at Mizpah, “Let me go kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah. No one will know it. Why should he kill you and allow all of Judah that has gathered around you to scatter and the remnant of Judah to perish?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:15 \ft \+xt Jr 42:2\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 16 But Gedaliah son of Ahikam responded to Johanan son of Kareah, “Don’t do that! What you’re saying about Ishmael is a lie.”
\c 41
\s1 Gedaliah Assassinated by Ishmael
\m
\v 1 In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal family and one of the king’s chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. They ate a meal together there in Mizpah,
\v 2 but then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword; he killed the one the king of Babylon had appointed in the land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:2 \ft \+xt Jr 52:30\+xt*\f*
\v 3 Ishmael also struck down all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Chaldean soldiers who were there.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:1–3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:25\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 4 On the day after he had killed Gedaliah, when no one knew yet,
\v 5 eighty men came from Shechem, Shiloh,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:5 \ft \+xt Jos 18:1\+xt*\f* and Samaria~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:5 \ft \+xt 1Kg 16:24\+xt*\f* who had shaved their beards,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:5 \ft \+xt Dt 14:1\+xt*\f* torn their clothes, and gashed themselves, and~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:5 \ft \+xt Lv 19:27–28; 21:5\+xt*\f* who were carrying grain and incense offerings to bring to the temple of the \nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:5 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:9\+xt*\f*
\v 6 Ishmael son of Nethaniah came out of Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he came. When he encountered them, he said, “Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam!~”
\v 7 But when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 41:7 \ft Syr; MT reads \fqa slaughtered them in\f* a cistern.
\p
\v 8 However, there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us, for we have hidden treasure in the field~#—~#wheat, barley, oil, and honey!~” So he stopped and did not kill them along with their companions.
\v 9 Now the cistern where Ishmael had thrown all the corpses of the men he had struck down was a large one~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 41:9 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa down by the hand of Gedaliah\f* that King Asa had made in the encounter with King Baasha of Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:9 \ft \+xt 1Kg 15:16–22\+xt*\f* Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.
\p
\v 10 Then Ishmael took captive all the rest of the people of Mizpah including the daughters of the king~#—~#all those who remained in Mizpah over whom Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them captive and set off to cross over to the Ammonites.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:10 \ft \+xt Jr 40:14\+xt*\f*
\s1 The Captives Rescued by Johanan
\m
\v 11 When Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:11 \ft \+xt Jr 40:7–8,13–16\+xt*\f* with him heard of all the evil that Ishmael son of Nethaniah had done,
\v 12 they took all their men and went to fight with Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They found him by the great pool in Gibeon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:12 \ft \+xt 2Sm 2:13\+xt*\f*
\v 13 When all the people held by Ishmael saw Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the army with him, they rejoiced.
\v 14 All the people whom Ishmael had taken captive from Mizpah turned around and rejoined Johanan son of Kareah.
\v 15 But Ishmael son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men and went to the Ammonites.
\v 16 Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies with him then took from Mizpah all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael son of Nethaniah after Ishmael had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam~#—~#men, soldiers, women, children, and court officials whom he brought back from Gibeon.
\v 17 They left, stopping in Geruth Chimham,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:17 \ft \+xt 2Sm 19:37–38\+xt*\f* which is near Bethlehem, in order to make their way into Egypt,
\v 18 away from the Chaldeans. For they feared them because Ishmael son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:18 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:26; Jr 40:5\+xt*\f*
\c 42
\s1 The People Seek Jeremiah’s Counsel
\m
\v 1 Then all the commanders of the armies, along with Johanan son of Kareah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:1 \ft \+xt Jr 40:13; 41:11\+xt*\f* Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:1 \ft \+xt Est 1:20; Jr 6:13; 8:10; 31:34; 42:8; 44:12\+xt*\f* approached
\v 2 the prophet Jeremiah and said, “May our petition come before you;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:2 \ft \+xt Jr 36:7\+xt*\f* pray to the \nd Lord\nd* your God on our behalf,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:2 \ft \+xt 1Sm 7:8; 12:19; Is 37:4; Jr 42:20\+xt*\f* on behalf of this entire remnant (for few of us remain out of the many,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:2 \ft \+xt Lv 26:22\+xt*\f* as you can see with your own eyes),
\v 3 that the \nd Lord\nd* your God may tell us the way we should go and the thing we should do.”
\p
\v 4 So the prophet Jeremiah said to them, “I have heard. I will now pray to the \nd Lord\nd* your God according to your words, and I will tell you every word that the \nd Lord\nd* answers you; I won’t withhold a word from you.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:4 \ft \+xt 1Sm 3:17–18\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 5 And they said to Jeremiah, “May the \nd Lord\nd* be a true and faithful witness against us if we don’t act according to every word the \nd Lord\nd* your God sends you to tell us.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:5 \ft \+xt Gn 31:50; Jdg 11:10\+xt*\f*
\v 6 Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the \nd Lord\nd* our God to whom we are sending you so that it may go well with us.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:6 \ft \+xt Jr 7:23\+xt*\f* We will certainly obey the \nd Lord\nd* our God!~”
\s1 Jeremiah’s Advice to Stay
\m
\v 7 At the end of ten days, the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah,
\v 8 and he summoned Johanan son of Kareah, all the commanders of the armies who were with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest.
\p
\v 9 He said to them, “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says, the God of Israel to whom you sent me to bring your petition before him:
\v 10 ‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will rebuild and not demolish you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:10 \ft \+xt Jr 24:6\+xt*\f* and I will plant and not uproot you, because I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought on you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:10 \ft \+xt Ex 32:12,14; 2Sm 24:16; Jr 18:8; 26:3,13; Jl 2:13; Jnh 3:10; 4:2\+xt*\f*
\v 11 Don’t be afraid of the king of Babylon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:11 \ft \+xt Jr 41:18\+xt*\f* whom you now fear; don’t be afraid of him’~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#‘because I am with you to save you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:11 \ft \+xt Rm 8:31\+xt*\f* and rescue you from him.
\v 12 I will grant you compassion,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:12 \ft \+xt Neh 1:11; Jr 12:15; 30:18; 31:20; 33:26\+xt*\f* and he~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 42:12 \ft LXX reads \fqa I\f* will have compassion on you and allow you to return to your own soil.’
\p
\v 13 “But if you say, ‘We will not stay in this land,’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:13 \ft \+xt Jr 44:16–17\+xt*\f* in order to disobey the \nd Lord\nd* your God,
\v 14 and if you say, ‘No, instead we’ll go to the land of Egypt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:14 \ft \+xt Jr 41:17\+xt*\f* where we will not see war or hear the sound of the ram’s horn~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:14 \ft \+xt Jr 4:19,21\+xt*\f* or hunger for food, and we’ll live there,’
\v 15 then hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, remnant of Judah! This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:15 \ft \+xt Is 21:10; Jr 7:3,21; 9:15; 16:9; 19:3,15; 27:4,21; 28:2,14; 29:4,8,21,25\+xt*\f* says: ‘If you are firmly resolved to go to Egypt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:15 \ft \+xt Dt 17:16; Jr 44:12–14\+xt*\f* and stay there for a while,
\v 16 then the sword~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:16 \ft \+xt Ezk 11:8\+xt*\f* you fear will overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine you are worried about will follow on your heels~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 42:16 \ft Lit \fqa will cling after you\f* there to Egypt, and you will die there.
\v 17 All who resolve to go to Egypt to stay there for a while will die by the sword, famine, and plague. They will have no survivor or fugitive from the disaster I will bring on them.’
\p
\v 18 “For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Just as my anger and fury were poured out on Jerusalem’s residents,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:18 \ft \+xt Jr 7:20\+xt*\f* so will my fury pour out on you if you go to Egypt. You will become an example for cursing, scorn,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:18 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 18:16; 19:8; 25:9,18; 29:18; 44:12,22; 49:17; 50:13; Mc 6:16; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f* execration, and disgrace, and you will never see this place again.’
\v 19 The \nd Lord\nd* has spoken concerning you, remnant of Judah: ‘Don’t go to Egypt.’ Know for certain that I have warned you today!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:19 \ft \+xt Ezk 2:5\+xt*\f*
\v 20 You have gone astray at the cost of your lives~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 42:20 \ft Or \fqa You have led your own selves astray\f* because you are the ones who sent me to the \nd Lord\nd* your God, saying, ‘Pray to the \nd Lord\nd* our God on our behalf, and as for all that the \nd Lord\nd* our God says, tell it to us, and we’ll act accordingly.’
\v 21 For I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the \nd Lord\nd* your God in everything he has sent me to tell you.
\v 22 Now therefore, know for certain that by the sword, famine, and plague you will die in the place where you desired to go to stay for a while.”
\c 43
\s1 Jeremiah’s Counsel Rejected
\m
\v 1 When Jeremiah had finished speaking to all the people all the words of the \nd Lord\nd* their God~#—~#all these words the \nd Lord\nd* their God had sent him to give them~#—~#
\v 2 then Azariah~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 43:2 \ft = Jezaniah\f* son of Hoshaiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:2 \ft \+xt Jr 42:1\+xt*\f* Johanan son of Kareah, and all the other arrogant men responded to Jeremiah, “You are speaking a lie! The \nd Lord\nd* our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to stay there for a while!~’
\v 3 Rather, Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Chaldeans to put us to death or to deport us to Babylon!~”
\p
\v 4 So Johanan son of Kareah, all the commanders of the armies, and all the people failed to obey the \nd Lord\nd*’s command to stay in the land of Judah.
\v 5 Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies led away the whole remnant of Judah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:5 \ft \+xt Jr 40:11–12\+xt*\f* those who had returned to stay in the land of Judah from all the nations where they had been banished.
\v 6 They led away the men, women, children, king’s daughters, and everyone whom Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, had allowed to remain with Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:6 \ft \+xt Jr 39:10; 40:7\+xt*\f* They also led the prophet Jeremiah and Baruch son of Neriah away.
\v 7 They went to the land of Egypt because they did not obey the \nd Lord\nd*. They went as far as Tahpanhes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:7–8 \ft \+xt Jr 2:16; 44:1; 46:14\+xt*\f*
\s1 God’s Sign to the People in Egypt
\m
\v 8 Then the word of the \nd Lord\nd* came to Jeremiah at Tahpanhes:
\v 9 “Pick up some large stones and set them in the mortar of the brick pavement that is at the opening of Pharaoh’s palace at Tahpanhes. Do this in the sight of the Judean men
\v 10 and tell them, ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will place his throne on these stones that I have embedded, and he will pitch his pavilion over them.
\v 11 He will come and strike down the land of Egypt~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:11 \ft \+xt Jr 44:13; 46:13–26\+xt*\f*~#—~#those destined for death, to death; those destined for captivity, to captivity; and those destined for the sword, to the sword.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:11 \ft \+xt Jr 15:2\+xt*\f*
\v 12 I~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 43:12 \ft LXX, Syr, Vg read \fqa He\f* will kindle a fire in the temples of Egypt’s gods,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:12 \ft \+xt Ex 12:12; Is 19:1; Jr 46:25; Ezk 30:13\+xt*\f* and he will burn them and take them captive. He will clean the land of Egypt as a shepherd picks lice off~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 43:12 \ft Or \fqa will wrap himself in the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in\f* his clothes,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 43:12 \ft \+xt Ps 104:2; Is 49:18\+xt*\f* and he will leave there unscathed.
\v 13 He will smash the sacred pillars of the sun temple~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 43:13 \ft Or \fqa Beth-shemesh\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 43:13 \ft = of Heliopolis\f* in the land of Egypt and burn the temples of the Egyptian gods.’~”
\c 44
\s1 God’s Judgment against His People in Egypt
\m
\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah for all the Jews living in the land of Egypt~#—~#at Migdol,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:1 \ft \+xt Ex 14:2; Nm 33:7; Jr 46:14; Ezk 29:10\+xt*\f* Tahpanhes,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:1 \ft \+xt Jr 2:16; 43:7–9; 46:14\+xt*\f* Memphis,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:1 \ft \+xt Is 19:13; Jr 2:16; 46:14,19; Ezk 30:13,16; Hs 9:6\+xt*\f* and in the land of Pathros:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:1 \ft \+xt Is 11:11; Ezk 29:14; 30:14\+xt*\f*
\v 2 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster I brought against Jerusalem and all Judah’s cities. Look, they are a ruin today without an inhabitant in them~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:2 \ft \+xt Jos 8:26; Is 5:9; 6:11; Jr 2:15; 4:29; 6:8; 33:10; 34:22; 44:22; 48:9; 51:37; Zph 3:6\+xt*\f*
\v 3 because of the evil they committed to anger me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:3 \ft \+xt Jr 7:19\+xt*\f* by going and burning incense to serve other gods that they, you, and your ancestors did not know.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 22:17; 2Ch 28:25; 34:25; Jr 1:16; 7:9; 19:4,13; 32:29\+xt*\f*
\v 4 So I sent you all my servants the prophets time and time again,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 44:4 \ft Lit \fqa prophets, rising up early and sending\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:4 \ft \+xt Jr 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14,15\+xt*\f* saying, ‘Don’t commit this detestable action that I hate.’
\v 5 But they did not listen or pay attention; they did not turn from their evil or stop burning incense to other gods.
\v 6 So my fierce wrath poured out and burned in Judah’s cities and Jerusalem’s streets~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:6 \ft \+xt Jr 7:34\+xt*\f* so that they became the desolate ruin they are today.
\p
\v 7 “So now, this is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Why are you doing such terrible harm to yourselves? You are cutting off man and woman, infant and nursing baby~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:7 \ft \+xt 1Sm 15:3; 22:19\+xt*\f* from Judah, leaving yourselves without a remnant.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:7 \ft \+xt Jr 11:23; 40:15; 44:15; Ezr 9:14\+xt*\f*
\v 8 You are angering me by the work of your hands. You are burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt where you have gone to stay for a while. As a result, you will be cut off and become an example for cursing and insult among all the nations of earth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:8 \ft \+xt Jr 24:9; 42:18; 44:12; 49:13\+xt*\f*
\v 9 Have you forgotten the evils of your ancestors, the evils of Judah’s kings, the evils of their wives, your own evils, and the evils of your wives that were committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
\v 10 They have not become humble to this day, and they have not feared or followed my instruction or my statutes that I set before you and your ancestors.
\p
\v 11 “Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to set my face against you to bring disaster,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:11 \ft \+xt Jr 21:10\+xt*\f* to cut off all Judah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:11 \ft \+xt 1Sm 20:15; Ps 109:13; Is 10:7; Jr 9:21; 47:4; 51:62; Ob 14\+xt*\f*
\v 12 And I will take away the remnant of Judah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:12 \ft \+xt Jr 42:15–18\+xt*\f* those who have set their face to go to the land of Egypt to stay there. All of them will meet their end in the land of Egypt. They will fall by the sword; they will meet their end by famine. From the least to the greatest,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:12 \ft \+xt Est 1:20; Jr 6:13; 8:10; 31:34; 42:1; 42:8\+xt*\f* they will die by the sword and by famine. Then they will become an example for cursing, scorn,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:12 \ft \+xt Jr 18:16\+xt*\f* execration, and disgrace.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:12 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 18:16; 19:8; 25:9,18; 29:18; 42:18; 44:22; 49:17; 50:13; Mc 6:16; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f*
\v 13 I will punish those living in the land of Egypt just as I punished Jerusalem by sword, famine, and plague.
\v 14 Then the remnant of Judah~#—~#those going to live for a while there in the land of Egypt~#—~#will have no fugitive or survivor to return to the land of Judah where they are longing~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 44:14 \ft Lit \fqa lifting up their soul\f* to return to stay,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:14 \ft \+xt Jr 22:26–27\+xt*\f* for they will not return except for a few fugitives.”
\s1 The People’s Stubborn Response
\m
\v 15 However, all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, all the women standing by~#—~#a great assembly~#—~#and all the people who were living in the land of Egypt at Pathros answered Jeremiah,
\v 16 “As for the word you spoke to us in the name of the \nd Lord\nd*, we are not going to listen to you!
\v 17 Instead, we will do everything we promised:~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 44:17 \ft Lit \fqa do every word that came from our mouth\f* we will burn incense to the queen of heaven~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 44:17 \ft = Ashtoreth, or Astarte\f* and offer drink offerings to her just as we, our ancestors, our kings, and our officials did in Judah’s cities~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:17 \ft \+xt Jr 7:18\+xt*\f* and in Jerusalem’s streets. Then we had enough food, we were well off, and we saw no disaster,
\v 18 but from the time we ceased to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to offer her drink offerings, we have lacked everything, and through sword and famine we have met our end.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:18 \ft \+xt Jr 14:15; 16:4\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 19 And the women said,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 44:19 \ft LXX, Syr; MT omits \fqa And the women said\f* “When we burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it apart from our husbands’ knowledge~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:19 \ft \+xt Nm 30:6–7\+xt*\f* that we made sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?~”
\p
\v 20 But Jeremiah responded to all the people~#—~#the men, women, and all the people who were answering him:
\v 21 “As for the incense you burned in Judah’s cities~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:21 \ft \+xt Ezk 8:10–11\+xt*\f* and in Jerusalem’s streets~#—~#you, your ancestors, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land~#—~#did the \nd Lord\nd* not remember them? He brought this to mind.
\v 22 The \nd Lord\nd* can no longer bear your evil deeds and the detestable acts you have committed,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:22 \ft \+xt Is 1:14; 7:13; 43:24; Jr 15:6; Mal 2:17\+xt*\f* so your land has become a waste, a desolation, and an example for cursing, without inhabitant, as you see today.
\v 23 Because you burned incense and sinned against the \nd Lord\nd* and didn’t obey the \nd Lord\nd*~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:23 \ft \+xt Jr 40:3\+xt*\f* and didn’t follow his instruction, his statutes, and his testimonies, this disaster has come to you, as you see today.”
\p
\v 24 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, all you people of Judah who are in the land of Egypt.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:24 \ft \+xt Jr 43:7\+xt*\f*
\v 25 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for you and your wives, you women have spoken with your mouths, and you men fulfilled it by your deeds, saying, “We will keep our vows that we have made to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink offerings for her.” Go ahead, confirm your vows! Keep your vows!~’
\p
\v 26 “Therefore, hear the word of the \nd Lord\nd*, all you Judeans who live in the land of Egypt: ‘I have sworn by my great name,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:26 \ft \+xt Gn 22:16; 1Sm 3:14; Ps 89:3,35; Is 45:23; 54:9; Jr 22:5; 49:13\+xt*\f* says the \nd Lord\nd*, that my name will never again be invoked by anyone of Judah in all the land of Egypt,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:26 \ft \+xt Ezk 20:39\+xt*\f* saying, “As the Lord \nd God\nd* lives.”
\v 27 I am watching over them for disaster and not for good,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:27 \ft \+xt Jr 21:10; 31:28; 39:16; Am 9:4\+xt*\f* and everyone from Judah who is in the land of Egypt will meet his end by sword or famine until they are finished off.
\v 28 Those who escape the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah only few in number,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:28 \ft \+xt Is 27:12–13\+xt*\f* and the whole remnant of Judah, the ones going to the land of Egypt to stay there for a while, will know whose word stands, mine or theirs!
\v 29 This will be a sign to you’~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#‘that I will punish you in this place, so you may know that my words of disaster concerning you will certainly come to pass.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:29 \ft \+xt Pr 19:21\+xt*\f*
\v 30 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: I am about to hand over Pharaoh Hophra,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:30 \ft \+xt Ezk 29:3; 30:21\+xt*\f* Egypt’s king, to his enemies, to those who intend to take his life, just as I handed over Judah’s King Zedekiah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 44:30 \ft \+xt Jr 39:5–7\+xt*\f* to Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar, who was his enemy, the one who intended to take his life.’~”
\c 45
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd*’s Message to Baruch
\m
\v 1 This is the word that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Baruch son of Neriah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 45:1 \ft \+xt Jr 32:12\+xt*\f* when he wrote these words on a scroll at Jeremiah’s dictation~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 45:1 \ft Lit \fqa scroll from Jeremiah’s mouth\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 45:1 \ft \+xt Jr 36:4,18\+xt*\f* in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 45:1 \ft \+xt Jr 36:1\+xt*\f*
\v 2 “This is what the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:
\v 3 ‘You have said, “Woe is me, because the \nd Lord\nd* has added misery to my pain! I am worn out with~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 45:3 \ft Lit \fqa I labored in my\f* groaning and have found no rest.”~’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 45:3 \ft \+xt Ps 6:6\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 4 “This is what you are to say to him: ‘This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: “What I have built I am about to demolish, and what I have planted I am about to uproot~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 45:4 \ft \+xt Jr 24:6\+xt*\f*~#—~#the whole land!
\v 5 But as for you, do you pursue great things for yourself? Stop pursuing! For I am about to bring disaster on all humanity”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“but I will grant you your life like the spoils of war~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 45:5 \ft \+xt Jr 21:9; 38:2; 39:18\+xt*\f* wherever you go.”~’~”
\c 46
\ms Prophecies against the Nations
\m
\v 1 This is the word of the \nd Lord\nd* that came to the prophet Jeremiah about the nations:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:1 \ft \+xt Jr 25:15–38\+xt*\f*
\s1 Prophecies against Egypt
\m
\v 2 About Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco, Egypt’s king,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:2 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:29\+xt*\f* which was defeated at Carchemish~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:2 \ft \+xt 2Ch 35:20\+xt*\f* on the Euphrates River by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in the fourth year of Judah’s King Jehoiakim son of Josiah:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:2 \ft \+xt Jr 45:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 Deploy small shields~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:3 \ft \+xt Jr 49:14; Ob 1\+xt*\f* and~large;
\q approach for~battle!
\q1
\v 4 Harness the~horses;
\q mount the~steeds;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 46:4 \ft Or \fqa mount up, riders\f*
\q take your positions with~helmets~on!
\q Polish the~lances;
\q put on armor!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:4 \ft \+xt Jb 41:13; Jr 51:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Why have I seen~this?
\q They are terrified,
\q they are retreating,
\q their warriors are~crushed,
\q they flee headlong,
\q they never look~back,
\q terror is on~every~side!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:5 \ft \+xt Jr 6:25; 20:3–4,10; 49:29\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 6 The swift cannot flee,
\q and the warrior cannot~escape!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:6 \ft \+xt Am 2:14\+xt*\f*
\q In the north by~the~bank of~the~Euphrates~River,
\q they stumble and~fall.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:6 \ft \+xt Dn 11:19\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 Who is this, rising~like~the~Nile,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:7 \ft \+xt Jr 47:2\+xt*\f*
\q with waters that~churn~like~rivers?
\q1
\v 8 Egypt rises like~the~Nile,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:8 \ft \+xt Am 8:8\+xt*\f*
\q and its waters churn like~rivers.
\q He boasts, “I~will go~up, I~will~cover the~earth;
\q I will destroy cities with~their~residents.”
\q1
\v 9 Rise up, you~cavalry!
\q Race furiously, you~chariots!
\q Let the warriors march~out~—
\q Cush and~Put,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:9 \ft \+xt Gn 10:6; Ezk 30:5\+xt*\f*
\q who are able to~handle~shields,
\q and the men of Lud,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:9 \ft \+xt Gn 10:13; 1Ch 1:11\+xt*\f*
\q who~are~able to~handle and~string the~bow.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:9 \ft \+xt Is 66:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 That day belongs to~the~Lord, the~\nd God\nd* of~Armies,
\q a day of vengeance to~avenge~himself
\q against his adversaries.
\q The sword will~devour and~be~satisfied;
\q it will drink its~fill of~their~blood,
\q because it will be a~sacrifice~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:10 \ft \+xt Is 34:5–8; Ezk 39:17–20; Zph 1:7\+xt*\f* to~the~Lord, the~\nd God\nd* of~Armies,
\q in the northern land by~the~Euphrates~River.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:10 \ft \+xt Zph 1:7\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 11 Go up to Gilead and~get~balm,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:11 \ft \+xt Gn 37:25; Jr 8:22; 51:8\+xt*\f*
\q Virgin Daughter Egypt!
\q You have multiplied remedies in~vain;
\q there is no~healing for~you.
\q1
\v 12 The nations have heard of~your~dishonor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:12 \ft \+xt Jr 13:26; Hs 4:7; Nah 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q and your cries fill~the~earth,
\q because warrior stumbles against~warrior
\q and together both~of~them have~fallen.
\b
\p
\v 13 This is the word the \nd Lord\nd* spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to defeat the land of Egypt:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:13 \ft \+xt Jr 43:8–13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Announce it in~Egypt, and~proclaim~it in~Migdol!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:14 \ft \+xt Jr 2:16; 43:7–9; 44:1\+xt*\f*
\q Proclaim it in~Memphis and~in~Tahpanhes!
\q Say, “Take positions! Prepare~yourself,
\q for the sword devours all~around~you.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:14 \ft \+xt Jr 46:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 Why have your~strong~ones been~swept~away?
\q Each has not~stood,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* has~thrust~him~down.
\q1
\v 16 He continues to~stumble.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:16 \ft \+xt Lv 26:36–37\+xt*\f*
\q Indeed, each falls over~the~other.
\q They say, “Get~up! Let’s~return to~our~people
\q and to our~native~land,
\q away from the oppressor’s sword.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:16 \ft \+xt Jr 50:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 There they will cry~out,
\q “Pharaoh king of~Egypt was~all~noise;
\q he let the opportune~moment~pass.”
\b
\q1
\v 18 As I live~—
\qm this~is the~King’s~declaration;
\qm the \nd Lord\nd* of~Armies is his~name~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:18 \ft \+xt Jr 48:15; 51:57\+xt*\f*~—
\q the king of Babylon~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 46:18 \ft Lit \fqa He\f* will come like~Tabor among~the~mountains
\q and like Carmel by~the~sea.
\q1
\v 19 Get your bags ready for~exile,
\q inhabitant of Daughter Egypt!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:19 \ft \+xt Jr 48:18\+xt*\f*
\q For Memphis will~become a~desolation,
\q uninhabited ruins.
\b
\q1
\v 20 Egypt is a~beautiful~young~cow,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:20 \ft \+xt Hs 10:11\+xt*\f*
\q but a horsefly from~the~north is~coming against~her.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 46:20 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read \fqa is coming, coming\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:20 \ft \+xt Jr 1:13–14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 Even her mercenaries among~her
\q are like stall-fed calves.
\q They too will turn~back;
\q together they will~flee;
\q they will not take~their~stand,
\q for the day of~their~calamity is~coming on~them,
\q the time of~their~punishment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:21 \ft \+xt Jr 50:27,31\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 Egypt will hiss like~a~slithering~snake,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 46:22 \ft Lit \fqa Her sound is like a snake as it goes\f*
\q for the enemy will~come with~an~army;
\q with axes they will~come against~her
\q like those who~cut~trees.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:22 \ft \+xt Ps 74:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 They will cut down her~forest~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q though it is dense,
\q for they are more~numerous than~locusts;
\q they cannot be~counted.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:23 \ft \+xt Jdg 6:5; 7:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 Daughter Egypt will~be put~to~shame,
\q handed over to~a~northern~people.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:24 \ft \+xt Jr 1:15\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 25 The \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says, “I am about to punish Amon, god of Thebes,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:25 \ft \+xt Ezk 30:14–16\+xt*\f* along with Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods, and her kings~#—~#Pharaoh and those trusting in him.
\v 26 I will hand them over to those who intend to take their lives~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:26 \ft \+xt Jr 44:30; Ezk 32:11\+xt*\f*~#—~#to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his officers. But after this,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:26 \ft \+xt Ezk 29:8–14\+xt*\f* Egypt~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 46:26 \ft Lit \fqa it\f* will be inhabited again as in ancient times.”
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\s1 Reassurance for Israel
\q1
\v 27 But you, my~servant~Jacob, do~not~be~afraid,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:27 \ft \+xt Is 41:8; 44:2; 45:4\+xt*\f*
\q and do not be~discouraged,~Israel,
\q for without fail I~will~save~you from~far~away,
\q and your descendants from~the~land of~their~captivity!
\q Jacob will return and~have~calm and~quiet
\q with no one to~frighten~him.
\q1
\v 28 And you, my~servant~Jacob, do~not~be~afraid~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q for I will be with you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:28 \ft \+xt Jr 1:8,19; 30:11; 42:11\+xt*\f*
\q I will bring destruction on~all~the~nations
\q where I have banished you,
\q but I will not bring~destruction on~you.
\q I will discipline you with~justice,
\q and I will by~no~means leave~you~unpunished.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 46:27–28 \ft \+xt Jr 30:10–11\+xt*\f*
\c 47
\s1 Prophecies against the Philistines
\m
\v 1 This is the word of the \nd Lord\nd* that came to the prophet Jeremiah about the Philistines~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:1 \ft \+xt Jr 25:20\+xt*\f* before Pharaoh defeated Gaza.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:1 \ft \+xt Am 1:6–7; Zph 2:4\+xt*\f*
\v 2 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Look, water is rising from~the~north~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:2 \ft \+xt Jr 1:13; 4:6,20; 6:1; 50:3,9,41; 51:48\+xt*\f*
\q and becoming an~overflowing~wadi.
\q It will overflow the~land and~everything in~it,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:2 \ft \+xt Is 8:7–8\+xt*\f*
\q the cities and~their~inhabitants.
\q The people will~cry~out,
\q and every inhabitant of~the~land will~wail.
\q1
\v 3 At the sound of~the~stomping~hooves of~his~stallions,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:3 \ft \+xt Jdg 5:22; Jr 8:16; 50:11\+xt*\f*
\q the rumbling of~his~chariots,
\q and the clatter of~their~wheels,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:3 \ft \+xt Nah 3:2–3\+xt*\f*
\q fathers will not turn~back for~their~sons.
\q They will be utterly~helpless~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 47:3 \ft Lit \fqa Because of weakened hands\f*
\q1
\v 4 on account of~the~day that~is~coming
\q to destroy all~the~Philistines,
\q to cut off from~Tyre and~Sidon
\q every remaining ally.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:4 \ft \+xt Jr 25:22; Jl 3:4; Am 1:8–10\+xt*\f*
\q Indeed, the \nd Lord\nd* is about~to~destroy the~Philistines,
\q the remnant of~the~coastland of~Caphtor.~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 47:4 \ft Probably Crete\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:4 \ft \+xt Gn 10:14; Am 9:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Baldness~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:5 \ft \+xt Jr 48:37\+xt*\f* is~coming to~Gaza;
\q Ashkelon will become silent.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:5 \ft \+xt Jdg 1:18; Jr 25:20\+xt*\f*
\q Remnant of~their~valley,
\q how long will~you gash~yourself?
\b
\q1
\v 6 Oh, sword of~the~\nd Lord\nd*!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:6 \ft \+xt Ezk 21:3–5\+xt*\f*
\q How long will~you be~restless?
\q Go back to~your~sheath;
\q be still; be~silent!
\q1
\v 7 How can it~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 47:7 \ft LXX, Vg; MT reads \fqa you\f* rest
\q when the \nd Lord\nd* has~given~it a~command?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:7 \ft \+xt Ezk 14:17\+xt*\f*
\q He has assigned it~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 47:7 \ft \+xt Mc 6:9\+xt*\f*
\q against Ashkelon and~the~shore of~the~sea.
\c 48
\s1 Prophecies against Moab
\m
\v 1 About Moab,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:1 \ft \+xt Gn 19:37; Nm 22:1; 24:17; 25:1; Dt 23:3; 34:5–6; Jdg 3:30; Ru 1:2; 2Sm 8:2; 1Kg 11:7; 2Kg 1:1; Is 15:1; Ezk 25:8–11; Am 2:1–2; Zph 2:8–9\+xt*\f* this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says:
\q Woe to Nebo,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:1 \ft \+xt Nm 32:3; Jr 48:22\+xt*\f* because~it~is about~to~be~destroyed;
\q Kiriathaim will be put~to~shame;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:1 \ft \+xt Nm 32:37; Jr 48:23; Ezk 25:9\+xt*\f* it~will~be taken~captive.
\q The fortress will be put~to~shame and~dismayed!
\q1
\v 2 There is no longer praise for~Moab;
\q they plan harm against~her in~Heshbon:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:2 \ft \+xt Jr 48:34,45; 49:3\+xt*\f*
\q Come, let’s cut her off from~nationhood.
\q Also, Madmen, you will be~silenced;
\q the sword will follow~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:2 \ft \+xt Jr 29:18; Am 1:11\+xt*\f*~you.
\q1
\v 3 A voice cries out from~Horonaim,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:3 \ft \+xt Is 15:5; Jr 48:34\+xt*\f*
\q “devastation and~a~crushing~blow!~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:3 \ft \+xt Jr 51:54\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Moab will be~shattered;
\q her little ones will~cry~out.
\q1
\v 5 For on the Ascent to~Luhith
\q they will be weeping~continually,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 48:5 \ft Lit \fqa Luhith, weeping goes up with weeping\f*
\q and on the descent to~Horonaim
\q will be heard cries of~distress over~the~destruction:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:5 \ft \+xt Is 15:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 Flee! Save~your~lives!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:6 \ft \+xt Jr 51:6,45\+xt*\f*
\q Be like a juniper bush~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 48:6 \ft Or \fqa like Aroer\ft ; Is 17:2; Jr 48:19\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:6 \ft \+xt Is 41:19; Jr 17:6\+xt*\f* in~the~wilderness.
\q1
\v 7 Because you trust in~your~works and~treasures,
\q you will be captured~also.
\q Chemosh~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:7 \ft \+xt Nm 1:29; Jdg 11:24; 1Kg 11:7,33; 2Kg 23:13; Jr 48:13,45–47\+xt*\f* will go into~exile
\q with his priests and~officials.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:7 \ft \+xt Jr 49:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 The destroyer~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:8 \ft \+xt Jr 6:26; 48:15,18,32\+xt*\f* will~move against~every~town;
\q not one town will~escape.
\q The valley will~perish,
\q and the plain will~be~annihilated,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:8 \ft \+xt Jos 13:9,17,21\+xt*\f*
\q as the \nd Lord\nd* has~said.
\q1
\v 9 Make Moab a~salt~marsh,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 48:9 \ft LXX reads \fqa a sign\ft ; Vg reads \fqa a flower\ft ; Syr, Tg read \fqa a crown\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:9 \ft \+xt Jdg 9:45; Jr 17:6; Ezk 47:11; Zph 2:9\+xt*\f*
\q for she will run away;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 48:9 \ft Hb obscure\f*
\q her towns will become a~desolation,
\q without inhabitant.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:9 \ft \+xt Jos 8:26; Is 5:9; 6:11; Jr 2:15; 4:29; 6:8; 33:10; 34:22; 44:2,22; 51:37; Zph 3:6\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 10 The one who~does
\q the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~business deceitfully~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 48:10 \ft Or \fqa negligently\f* is~cursed,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:10 \ft \+xt 1Kg 20:42\+xt*\f*
\q and the one who~withholds
\q his~sword from~bloodshed is~cursed.
\b
\q1
\v 11 Moab has been left quiet since~his~youth,
\q settled like wine on~its~dregs.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:11 \ft \+xt Ps 75:8; Zph 1:12\+xt*\f*
\q He hasn’t been poured from~one~container to~another
\q or gone into~exile.
\q So his taste has~remained the~same,
\q and his aroma hasn’t~changed.
\q1
\v 12 Therefore look, the~days are~coming~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:12 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 16:14; 19:6; 23:7; 49:2; 51:47,52\+xt*\f*~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q when I will send pourers to~him, who~will~pour~him~out.
\q They will empty his~containers
\q and smash his~jars.
\q1
\v 13 Moab will be put~to~shame because~of~Chemosh,
\q just as the house of~Israel was put~to~shame
\q because of Bethel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:13 \ft \+xt 1Kg 12:28–33; 13:1–5; 2Kg 10:29; 23:15; Hs 4:15; Am 3:14; 4:4; 5:5–6\+xt*\f* that~they~trusted~in.
\b
\q1
\v 14 How can you say, “We~are~warriors~—
\q valiant men for~battle”?
\q1
\v 15 The destroyer of~Moab and~its~towns
\q has come up,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 48:15 \ft Or \fqa Moab is destroyed; he has come up against its cities\f*
\q and the best of~its~young~men
\q have gone down to~slaughter.
\qm This~is the~King’s~declaration;
\qm the \nd Lord\nd* of~Armies is his~name.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:15 \ft \+xt Jr 46:18; 51:57\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 Moab’s calamity is~near at~hand;
\q his disaster is rushing swiftly.
\q1
\v 17 Mourn for him, all~you~surrounding~nations,
\q everyone who~knows his~name.
\q Say, “How~the~mighty~scepter~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:17 \ft \+xt Ps 110:2; Ezk 19:11–12,14\+xt*\f* is~shattered,
\q the glorious staff!~”
\b
\q1
\v 18 Come down from~glory; sit~on~parched~ground,
\q resident of~the~daughter of~Dibon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:18 \ft \+xt Jos 13:8–9; Jr 46:19\+xt*\f*
\q for the destroyer of~Moab has~come against~you;
\q he has destroyed your~fortresses.
\q1
\v 19 Stand by the~highway and~watch,
\q resident of~Aroer!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:19 \ft \+xt Dt 2:36\+xt*\f*
\q Ask him who~is~fleeing or~her who~is~escaping,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:19 \ft \+xt 1Sm 4:13,16\+xt*\f*
\q “What happened?~”
\q1
\v 20 Moab is put~to~shame, indeed~dismayed.
\q Wail and~cry~out!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:20 \ft \+xt Is 14:31; Jr 25:34; 47:2; Ezk 21:12\+xt*\f*
\q Declare by~the~Arnon
\q that Moab is~destroyed.
\b
\p
\v 21 “Judgment has come to the land of the plateau~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:21 \ft \+xt Jos 13:17–19\+xt*\f*~#—~#to Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath,
\v 22 Dibon, Nebo, Beth-diblathaim,
\v 23 Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul, Beth-meon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:23 \ft \+xt Jos 13:17\+xt*\f*
\v 24 Kerioth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:24 \ft \+xt Jr 48:41; Am 2:2\+xt*\f* Bozrah, and all the towns of the land of Moab, those far and near.
\v 25 Moab’s horn is chopped off;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:25 \ft \+xt Ps 75:10; Lm 2:3; Am 3:14\+xt*\f* his arm is shattered.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:25 \ft \+xt Jb 38:15; Ps 10:15; 37:17; Ezk 30:21–24\+xt*\f*
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\p
\v 26 “Make him drunk, because he has exalted himself against the \nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:26 \ft \+xt Jr 48:42\+xt*\f* Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.
\v 27 Wasn’t Israel a laughingstock to you?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:26–27 \ft \+xt Gn 38:23; Jb 12:4; Ps 44:14; Jr 20:7; 48:39; Lm 2:15–17; 3:14\+xt*\f* Was he ever found among thieves?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:27 \ft \+xt Jr 2:26\+xt*\f* For whenever you speak of him you shake your head.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:27 \ft \+xt 2Kg 19:21; Jb 2:11; 16:4; 42:11; Ps 22:7; 64:8; 69:20; 109:25; Is 37:22; 51:19; Jr 15:5; 18:16; Lm 2:15; Nah 3:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 28 Abandon the towns! Live~in~the~cliffs,
\q residents of~Moab!
\q Be like~a~dove
\q that nests inside~the~mouth of~a~cave.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:28 \ft \+xt Is 2:19–21\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 29 We have heard of~Moab’s~pride,
\q great pride, indeed~—
\q his insolence, arrogance, pride,
\q and haughty heart.
\q1
\v 30 I know his~outburst.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q It is empty.
\q His boast is~empty.
\q1
\v 31 Therefore, I~will~wail over~Moab.
\q I will cry out for~Moab, all~of~it;
\q he will moan for~the~men of~Kir-heres.
\q1
\v 32 I will weep for~you, vine~of~Sibmah,
\q with more than the~weeping for~Jazer.
\q Your tendrils have~extended to~the~sea;
\q they have reached to~the~sea and~to~Jazer.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 48:32 \ft Some Hb mss read \fqa reached as far as Jazer\f*
\q The destroyer has~fallen on~your~summer~fruit and~grape~harvest.
\q1
\v 33 Gladness and celebration are~taken from~the~fertile~field
\q and from the land of~Moab.
\q I have stopped the~flow of~wine from~the~winepresses;
\q no one will tread with~shouts of~joy.
\q The shouting is not a~shout of~joy.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:31–33 \ft \+xt Is 16:7–10\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 34 “There is a cry from Heshbon to Elealeh; they make their voices heard as far as Jahaz~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:34 \ft \+xt Is 15:4–6\+xt*\f*~#—~#from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah~#—~#because even the Waters of Nimrim have become desolate.
\v 35 In Moab, I will stop”~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“the one who offers sacrifices on the high place and burns incense to his gods.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:35 \ft \+xt Jr 11:12–13; 18:15\+xt*\f*
\v 36 Therefore, my heart moans like flutes for Moab,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:36 \ft \+xt Is 15:5\+xt*\f* and my heart moans like flutes for the people of Kir-heres. And therefore, the wealth he has gained has perished.
\v 37 Indeed, every head is bald and every beard is chopped short.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:37–38 \ft \+xt Is 15:2–3; Jr 47:5\+xt*\f* On every hand is a gash~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:37 \ft \+xt Lv 19:28; 21:5; Jr 5:7; 41:5; 47:5\+xt*\f* and sackcloth~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:37 \ft \+xt Jr 4:8; 6:26; 49:3\+xt*\f* around the waist.
\v 38 On all the rooftops of Moab and in her public squares, everyone is mourning because I have shattered Moab like a jar no one wants.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:38 \ft \+xt Jr 22:28\+xt*\f* This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\v 39 “How broken it is! They wail! How Moab has turned his back! He is ashamed. Moab will become a laughingstock and a shock to all those around him.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:29–39 \ft \+xt Is 16:6–11; Zph 2:9–10\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 40 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Look! He will swoop down like~an~eagle
\q and spread his~wings against~Moab.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:40 \ft \+xt Dt 28:49; Jr 49:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 41 The towns have~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 48:41 \ft Or \fqa Kerioth has\f*~been~captured,
\q and the strongholds seized.
\q In that day the~heart of~Moab’s~warriors
\q will be like~the~heart of~a~woman with~contractions.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:41 \ft \+xt Is 13:8; Jr 49:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 42 Moab will be destroyed as~a~people
\q because he has exalted~himself against~the~\nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:42 \ft \+xt Jr 48:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 43 Panic,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:43 \ft \+xt Jr 30:5; 49:5\+xt*\f* pit, and~trap
\q await you, resident~of~Moab.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 44 He who flees from~the~panic will~fall in~the~pit,
\q and he who~climbs from~the~pit
\q will be captured in~the~trap,
\q for I will bring against~Moab
\q the year of~their~punishment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:44 \ft \+xt Jr 23:12\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:43–44 \ft \+xt Is 24:17–18\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 45 Those who flee will~stand~exhausted in~Heshbon’s~shadow
\q because fire has~come~out from~Heshbon
\q and a flame from~within~Sihon.
\q It will devour Moab’s~forehead
\q and the skull of~the~noisemakers.
\q1
\v 46 Woe to you, Moab!
\q The people of~Chemosh have~perished
\q because your sons have~been taken~captive
\q and your daughters have gone into~captivity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:45–46 \ft \+xt Nm 21:28–29\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 47 Yet, I will restore the~fortunes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 48:47 \ft Or \fqa will end the captivity\f* of~Moab in~the~last~days.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 48:47 \ft \+xt Jr 49:6,39\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q The judgment on~Moab ends~here.
\c 49
\s1 Prophecies against Ammon
\m
\v 1 About the Ammonites,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:1 \ft \+xt Gn 19:38; Dt 2:19; 23:3; Jdg 10:6–7; 1Sm 11:11; 12:12; 1Kg 11:5–7,33; 2Kg 24:2; Neh 2:10; Is 11:14; Jr 40:14; Ezk 21:28–32; 25:2–10; Am 1:13–15; Zph 2:8–9\+xt*\f* this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Does Israel have no~sons?
\q Is he without an~heir?
\q Why then has Milcom~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 49:1 \ft LXX, Syr, Vg; MT reads \fqa Malkam\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 49:1 \ft = Molech\f* dispossessed~Gad~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:1 \ft \+xt 1Kg 11:5,7,33; Zph 1:5\+xt*\f*
\q and his people settled in~their~cities?
\q1
\v 2 Therefore look, the~days are~coming~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:2 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 16:14; 19:6; 23:7; 48:12; 51:47,52\+xt*\f*~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q when I will make the~shout of~battle~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:2 \ft \+xt Jr 4:19\+xt*\f*~heard
\q against Rabbah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:2 \ft \+xt Dt 3:11; 2Sm 11:1; 12:26–29; Ezk 25:5; Am 1:14\+xt*\f* of~the~Ammonites.
\q It will become a~desolate~mound,
\q and its surrounding villages will~be set on~fire.
\q Israel will dispossess their~dispossessors,
\q says the \nd Lord\nd*.
\q1
\v 3 Wail, Heshbon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:3 \ft \+xt Nm 21:21–25,34; Dt 2:24,30; Jos 12:2; Jdg 11:26; Jr 48:2\+xt*\f* for~Ai is~devastated;
\q cry out, daughters~of~Rabbah!
\q Clothe yourselves with~sackcloth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:3 \ft \+xt Jr 48:37\+xt*\f* and~lament;
\q run back and forth within~your~walls,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 49:3 \ft Or \fqa sheep pens\f*
\q because Milcom will~go into~exile
\q together with his~priests and~officials.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:3 \ft \+xt Jr 48:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Why do you boast about~your~valleys,
\q your flowing valley,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 49:4 \ft Or \fqa about your strength, your ebbing strength\f*
\q you faithless daughter~—
\q you who trust in~your~treasures
\q and say, “Who~can~attack~me?~”
\q1
\v 5 Look, I am about to~bring~terror on~you~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:5 \ft \+xt Jr 48:43–44\+xt*\f*~—
\qm this~is the~declaration of~the~Lord~\nd God\nd* of~Armies~—
\q from all those around~you.
\q You will be banished, each~person~headlong,
\q with no one to~gather~up the~fugitives.
\q1
\v 6 But after that, I~will~restore the~fortunes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 49:6 \ft Or \fqa will end the captivity\ft , also in v.~39\f* of~the~Ammonites.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:6 \ft \+xt Jr 48:47; 49:39\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\s1 Prophecies against Edom
\m
\v 7 About Edom,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:7 \ft \+xt Gn 25:30; 32:3; 36:1; Nm 20:18–21; 24:18; Jdg 11:17–18; 2Sm 8:14; 2Kg 8:20–22; Ps 60:8; Is 34:5–8\+xt*\f* this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Is there no longer wisdom in~Teman?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:7 \ft \+xt Gn 36:15; Ezk 25:13; Am 1:12\+xt*\f*
\q Has counsel perished from~the~prudent?
\q Has their wisdom rotted~away?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:7 \ft \+xt Ob 8–9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Run! Turn back! Lie~low,
\q residents of~Dedan,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:8 \ft \+xt Gn 25:1–3; Ezk 25:13\+xt*\f*
\q for I will bring Esau’s~calamity on~him~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:8 \ft \+xt Gn 25:25,30; 36:1; Ob 8,18\+xt*\f*
\q at the time I~punish~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:8 \ft \+xt Jr 6:15; 8:12; Ob 8–13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 If grape harvesters came~to~you,
\q wouldn’t they leave a~few~grapes?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:9 \ft \+xt Dt 24:21\+xt*\f*
\q Were thieves to come in~the~night,
\q they would destroy only what~they~wanted.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:9 \ft \+xt Ob 5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 But I will strip Esau~bare;
\q I will uncover his~secret~places.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:10 \ft \+xt Jr 23:24; Ob 6\+xt*\f*
\q He will try to~hide,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:10 \ft \+xt Ob 3\+xt*\f* but~he~will~be~unable.
\q His descendants will~be~destroyed
\q along with his relatives and~neighbors.
\q He will exist no~longer.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:10 \ft \+xt Mal 1:3–4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 Abandon your~fatherless; I~will~preserve~them;
\q let your widows trust in~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:11 \ft \+xt Dt 10:18; Ps 68:5; Pr 15:25; Jms 1:27\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 12 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says: “If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, can you possibly remain unpunished? You will not remain unpunished, for you must drink it too.
\v 13 For by myself I have sworn”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:13 \ft \+xt Gn 22:16; 1Sm 3:14; Ps 89:3,35; Is 45:23; 54:9; Jr 22:5; 44:26\+xt*\f*~#—~#this is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration~#—~#“Bozrah~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 49:13 \ft = Edom’s capital\f* will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and an example for cursing, and all its surrounding cities will become ruins forever.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:12–13 \ft \+xt Jr 25:28–29; Am 1:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 I have heard an~envoy from~the~\nd Lord\nd*;
\q a messenger has~been~sent among~the~nations:
\q Assemble yourselves to~come against~her.
\q Rise up for~war!
\b
\q1
\v 15 I will certainly make~you insignificant among~the~nations,
\q despised among~humanity.
\q1
\v 16 As to the terror you~cause,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 49:16 \ft Lit \fqa Your horror\f*
\q your arrogant heart has~deceived~you.
\q You who live in the clefts of~the~rock,~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 49:16 \ft = Petra\f*
\q you who occupy the~mountain~summit,
\q though you elevate your~nest like~the~eagles,
\q even from there I~will~bring you~down.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:14–16 \ft \+xt Ob 1–4\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 17 “Edom will become a desolation. Everyone who passes by her will be appalled and scoff because of all her wounds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:17 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 18:16; 19:8; 25:9,18; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12,22; 50:13; Mc 6:16; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f*
\v 18 As when Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown along with their neighbors,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:18 \ft \+xt Gn 19:24–25\+xt*\f* says the \nd Lord\nd*, “no one will live there; no human being will stay in it even temporarily.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:18 \ft \+xt Jr 49:33; 50:40; Zph 2:9\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 19 “Look, it will be like a lion coming from the thickets~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 49:19 \ft Lit \fqa pride\f* of the Jordan to the watered grazing land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:19 \ft \+xt Jr 50:44\+xt*\f* I will chase Edom away from her land in a flash. I will appoint whoever is chosen for her. For who is like me?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:19 \ft \+xt Mc 7:18\+xt*\f* Who will issue me a summons?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:19 \ft \+xt Jb 9:19; Jr 12:5; 50:44; Zch 11:3\+xt*\f* Who is the shepherd who can stand against me?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:19 \ft \+xt 2Ch 20:6; Jb 41:10\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 20 Therefore, hear the plans that the \nd Lord\nd* has drawn up against Edom and the strategies he has devised against the people of Teman:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:20 \ft \+xt Is 14:26; 19:12,17; 23:8; Jr 18:11; 49:30; 50:45; 51:12; Mc 2:3\+xt*\f* The flock’s little lambs will certainly be dragged away,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:20 \ft \+xt Jr 15:3; 22:19\+xt*\f* and their grazing land will be made desolate because of them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:20 \ft \+xt Jr 9:10; 23:10; 25:30–38\+xt*\f*
\v 21 At the sound of their fall the earth will quake;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:21 \ft \+xt Is 29:6; 64:1; Ezk 26:15; 31:16; 38:19; Mt 28:2; Rv 8:5\+xt*\f* the sound of her cry will be heard at the Red Sea.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:18–21 \ft \+xt Jr 50:40,44–46\+xt*\f*
\v 22 Look! It will be like an eagle soaring upward, then swooping down and spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman with contractions.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:22 \ft \+xt Jr 48:40–41\+xt*\f*
\s1 Prophecies against Damascus
\m
\v 23 About Damascus:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:23 \ft \+xt Is 17:1; Am 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q Hamath and Arpad are put~to~shame,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:23 \ft \+xt 2Kg 18:34\+xt*\f*
\q for they have heard a~bad~report and~are~agitated,
\q like~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 49:23 \ft Lit \fqa in\f* the anxious sea that~cannot be~calmed.
\q1
\v 24 Damascus has become~weak;
\q she has turned to~run;
\q panic has gripped~her.
\q Distress and labor pains have~seized~her
\q like a woman in~labor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:24 \ft \+xt Is 13:8; 42:14; Jr 4:31; 6:24; 22:23; 30:6; 50:43; Mc 4:9–10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 How can the~city of~praise not~be~abandoned,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:25 \ft \+xt Jr 33:9\+xt*\f*
\q the town that~brings me~joy?
\q1
\v 26 Therefore, her young men will~fall in~her~public~squares;
\q all the warriors will~perish in~that~day.
\qm This~is the~declaration of~the~\nd Lord\nd* of~Armies.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:26 \ft \+xt Jr 50:30\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 I will set fire to~the~wall of~Damascus;
\q it will consume Ben-hadad’s~citadels.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:27 \ft \+xt Am 1:4\+xt*\f*
\s1 Prophecies against Kedar and Hazor
\m
\v 28 About Kedar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:28 \ft \+xt Gn 25:13; Ps 120:5; Is 21:16–17; 60:7; Jr 2:10; Ezk 27:21\+xt*\f* and the kingdoms of Hazor, which King Nebuchadnezzar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:28 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:11; 25:22; 2Ch 36:6–13\+xt*\f* of Babylon defeated, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q Rise up, attack~Kedar,
\q and destroy the~people of~the~east!
\q1
\v 29 They will take their~tents and~their~flocks
\q along with their~tent~curtains and~all~their~equipment.
\q They will take their~camels for~themselves.
\q They will call~out to~them,
\q “Terror is on~every~side!~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:29 \ft \+xt Ps 31:13; Jr 6:25; 20:3–4,10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 30 Run! Escape quickly! Lie~low,
\q residents of~Hazor~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q for King Nebuchadnezzar of~Babylon
\q has drawn up a~plan against~you;
\q he has devised a~strategy against~you.
\b
\q1
\v 31 Rise up, attack a~nation at~ease,
\q one living in~security.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q They have no doors, not~even a~gate~bar;
\q they live alone.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:31 \ft \+xt Jdg 18:7–10; Ps 73:12; Is 47:8; Ezk 38:10–11; Zph 2:15; Zch 7:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 32 Their camels will become~plunder,
\q and their massive herds of~cattle will become~spoil.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:32 \ft \+xt Is 10:6; Ezk 25:7; Nah 2:9\+xt*\f*
\q I will scatter them to~the~wind in~every~direction,
\q those who clip the hair on their~temples;
\q I will bring calamity on~them across~all~their~borders.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 33 Hazor will become a~jackals’~den,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:33 \ft \+xt Jr 9:11; 10:22; 51:37\+xt*\f*
\q a desolation forever.
\q No one will live~there;
\q no human being will~stay in~it even temporarily.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:33 \ft \+xt Jr 49:18; 50:40\+xt*\f*
\s1 Prophecies against Elam
\m
\v 34 This is the word of the \nd Lord\nd* that came to the prophet Jeremiah about Elam~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 49:34 \ft = modern Iran\f* at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:34 \ft \+xt Jr 27:12; 28:1; 29:3\+xt*\f*
\v 35 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q I am about to shatter Elam’s~bow,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:35 \ft \+xt Is 22:6\+xt*\f*
\q the source~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 49:35 \ft Lit \fqa first\f* of~their~might.
\q1
\v 36 I will bring the~four~winds against~Elam
\q from the four corners of~the~heavens,
\q and I will scatter them to~all~these~winds.
\q There will not be a~nation
\q to which Elam’s~banished~ones will~not~go.
\q1
\v 37 I will devastate Elam before~their~enemies,
\q before those who~intend to~take their~lives.
\q I will bring disaster on~them,
\q my burning anger.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q I will send the sword after~them~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:37 \ft \+xt Jr 9:16\+xt*\f*
\q until I finish them~off.
\q1
\v 38 I will set my~throne in~Elam,
\q and I will destroy the~king and~officials from~there.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 39 Yet, in the last days,
\q I will restore the~fortunes of~Elam.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 49:39 \ft \+xt Jr 48:47; 49:6\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\c 50
\s1 Prophecies against Babylon
\m
\v 1 This is the word the \nd Lord\nd* spoke about Babylon,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:1 \ft \+xt Is 13:1\+xt*\f* the land of the Chaldeans, through the prophet Jeremiah:
\q1
\v 2 Announce to~the~nations;
\q proclaim and~raise~up a~signal~flag;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:2 \ft \+xt Ps 60:4; Is 5:26; 18:3\+xt*\f*
\q proclaim, and~hide~nothing.
\q Say, “Babylon is~captured;
\q Bel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:2 \ft \+xt Is 46:1; Jr 51:44\+xt*\f* is put~to~shame;
\q Marduk is~terrified.”
\q Her idols are put~to~shame;
\q her false gods, devastated.
\q1
\v 3 For a nation from~the~north will~attack her;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:3 \ft \+xt Is 41:25; Jr 1:13–15; 6:1,22; 47:2; 50:9,41; 51:48\+xt*\f*
\q it will make her~land~desolate.
\q No one will~be~living in~it~—
\q both people and~animals will~escape.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 50:3 \ft Lit \fqa escape; they will walk\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:3 \ft \+xt Ps 135:8; Jr 7:20; 21:6; 32:43; 33:10,12; 36:29; 51:62\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 In those days and~at~that~time~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q the Israelites and Judeans will~come~together,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:4 \ft \+xt Is 11:12–13; Jr 3:18; Ezk 37:15–22; Hs 11:1\+xt*\f*
\q weeping as~they~come,
\q and will seek the~\nd Lord\nd* their~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:4 \ft \+xt 2Ch 11:16; 15:4; Hs 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 They will ask about~Zion,
\q turning their faces to~this~road.
\q They will come and~join~themselves~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 50:5 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa Come and join yourselves\f* to~the~\nd Lord\nd*
\q in a permanent covenant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:5 \ft \+xt Gn 9:16; 17:7,13,19; Is 55:3; 61:8; Jr 32:40; Ezk 16:60; 37:26\+xt*\f* that~will never be~forgotten.
\b
\q1
\v 6 My people were lost~sheep;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:6 \ft \+xt Is 53:6\+xt*\f*
\q their shepherds led~them~astray,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:6 \ft \+xt Jr 23:2,13\+xt*\f*
\q guiding them the~wrong~way in~the~mountains.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:6 \ft \+xt Ezk 34:6\+xt*\f*
\q They wandered from~mountain to~hill;
\q they forgot their~resting~place.
\q1
\v 7 Whoever found them devoured~them.
\q Their adversaries said, “We’re~not~guilty;
\q instead, they have sinned against~the~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q their~righteous~grazing~land,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:7 \ft \+xt Jr 31:23; 40:2–3\+xt*\f*
\q the hope of~their~ancestors,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:7 \ft \+xt Jr 14:8; 17:13\+xt*\f* the~\nd Lord\nd*.”
\b
\q1
\v 8 Escape from~Babylon;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:8 \ft \+xt Jr 51:6; Rv 18:4\+xt*\f*
\q depart from the~Chaldeans’~land.
\q Be like the rams that~lead the~flock.
\q1
\v 9 For I will soon stir~up and~bring against~Babylon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:9 \ft \+xt Jr 51:1,11,29,35\+xt*\f*
\q an assembly of~great~nations from~the~north~country.
\q They will line up in~battle~formation against~her;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:9 \ft \+xt Jr 6:23; 50:14,42; 51:27\+xt*\f*
\q from there she will~be~captured.
\q Their arrows will be like~a~skilled~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 50:9 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read \fqa bereaving\f*~warrior
\q who does not return~empty-handed.
\q1
\v 10 The Chaldeans will become~plunder;
\q all Babylon’s plunderers will~be fully~satisfied.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 11 Because you~rejoice,
\q because you celebrate~—
\q you who plundered my~inheritance~—
\q because you frolic like~a~young~cow treading~grain
\q and neigh like~stallions,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:11 \ft \+xt Jdg 5:22; Jr 8:16; 47:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 your mother~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:12 \ft \+xt Jr 2:31; 51:47; Hs 2:4–5\+xt*\f* will be utterly~humiliated;
\q she who bore you will~be put~to~shame.
\q Look! She~will~lag behind all~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 50:12 \ft Lit \fqa Look! The last of\f*~the~nations~—
\q an arid~wilderness, a~desert.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:12 \ft \+xt Jr 51:43\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Because of the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~wrath,
\q she will not be~inhabited;
\q she will become a~desolation, every~bit of~her.
\q Everyone who passes through~Babylon
\q will be~appalled
\q and scoff because of all~her~wounds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:13 \ft \+xt Dt 28:37; 2Ch 29:8; 30:7; Jr 5:30; 18:16; 19:8; 25:9,18; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12,22; 49:17; Mc 6:16; Zph 2:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Line up in~battle~formation around~Babylon,
\q all you archers!
\q Shoot at her! Do~not~spare an~arrow,
\q for she has sinned against~the~\nd Lord\nd*.
\q1
\v 15 Raise a war cry against~her on~every~side!
\q She has thrown up her~hands in~surrender;
\q her defense towers have~fallen;
\q her walls are~demolished.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:15 \ft \+xt Jr 51:58\+xt*\f*
\q Since this is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~vengeance,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:15 \ft \+xt Jr 46:10\+xt*\f*
\q take your~vengeance on~her;
\q as she has done, do~the~same to~her.
\q1
\v 16 Cut off the sower from~Babylon
\q as well as him who~wields the~sickle at~harvest~time.
\q Because of the~oppressor’s~sword,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:16 \ft \+xt Jr 46:16\+xt*\f*
\q each will turn to~his~own~people,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:16 \ft \+xt Is 13:14\+xt*\f*
\q each will flee to~his~own~land.
\s1 The Return of God’s People
\q1
\v 17 Israel is a~stray~lamb, chased~by~lions.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:17 \ft \+xt Jr 2:15; 4:7\+xt*\f*
\q The first who~devoured~him was the~king of~Assyria;
\q the last who~crushed his~bones
\q was~King Nebuchadnezzar of~Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:17 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:10–12; 25:1–7\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 18 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to punish the king of Babylon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:18 \ft \+xt Is 10:12\+xt*\f* and his land just as I punished the king of Assyria.
\q1
\v 19 I will return Israel to~his~grazing~land,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:19 \ft \+xt Jr 22:6; 23:3; 33:12; Ezk 34:14\+xt*\f*
\q and he will feed on~Carmel and~Bashan;
\q he will be~satisfied
\q in the hill country of~Ephraim and~of~Gilead.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:19 \ft \+xt Is 33:9; Mc 7:14; Nah 1:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 In those days and~at~that~time~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q one will search for~Israel’s~iniquity,
\q but there will be none,
\q and for Judah’s sins,
\q but they will not be found,
\q for I will forgive~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:20 \ft \+xt Nm 14:20; Jr 31:34; 36:3\+xt*\f* those~I~leave as~a~remnant.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:20 \ft \+xt Jr 39:10; 52:16; Zph 3:12\+xt*\f*
\s1 The Invasion of Babylon
\q1
\v 21 Attack the~land of~Merathaim,
\q and those~living in~Pekod.
\q Put them to~the~sword;
\q completely destroy them~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q do everything I~have commanded~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:21 \ft \+xt 1Kg 9:4; 2Kg 21:8; 2Ch 7:17\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 The sound of~war is in~the~land~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:22 \ft \+xt Jr 51:54–56\+xt*\f*~—
\q a crushing blow!
\q1
\v 23 How the hammer of~the~whole~earth
\q is cut down and~smashed!
\q What a horror Babylon has~become
\q among the nations!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:23 \ft \+xt Jr 51:41\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 Babylon, I laid a~trap for~you, and~you were~caught,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:24 \ft \+xt Jr 51:31; Dn 5:30–31\+xt*\f*
\q but you did not even~know~it.
\q You were found and~captured
\q because you pitted yourself against~the~\nd Lord\nd*.
\q1
\v 25 The \nd Lord\nd* opened his~armory
\q and brought out his~weapons of~wrath,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:25 \ft \+xt Is 13:5\+xt*\f*
\q because it is a~task of~the~Lord \nd God\nd* of~Armies
\q in the land of~the~Chaldeans.
\q1
\v 26 Come against her from~the~most~distant~places.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 50:26 \ft Lit \fqa from the end\f*
\q Open her granaries;
\q pile her up like~mounds of~grain
\q and completely destroy~her.
\q Leave her no~survivors.
\q1
\v 27 Put all her young bulls to~the~sword;
\q let them go down to~the~slaughter.
\q Woe to them because~their~day has~come,
\q the time of~their~punishment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:27 \ft \+xt Is 10:3; Jr 46:21; Ezk 21:25,29; Hs 5:9; Mc 7:4; 2Pt 2:9\+xt*\f*
\s1 The Humiliation of Babylon
\q1
\v 28 There is a voice of~fugitives and~refugees
\q from the land of~Babylon.
\q The voice announces in~Zion the~vengeance of~the~\nd Lord\nd* our~God,
\q the vengeance for~his~temple.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:28 \ft \+xt 2Kg 18:16; 23:4; 24:13; Jr 51:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 Summon the~archers to~Babylon,
\q all who string the~bow;
\q camp all around her; let~none~escape.
\q Repay her according~to her~deeds;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:29 \ft \+xt Ps 28:4; Pr 24:12,29; Jr 25:14; 50:29; 51:24; Lm 3:64\+xt*\f*
\q just as she has done, do~the~same to~her,
\q for she has acted~arrogantly against~the~\nd Lord\nd*,
\q against the~Holy~One of~Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:29 \ft \+xt Ps 71:22; Is 1:4; 37:23; Jr 51:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 30 Therefore, her~young~men will~fall
\q in her public squares;
\q all the warriors will~perish in~that~day.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:30 \ft \+xt Jr 49:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 Look, I am against~you, you~arrogant~one~—
\qm this~is the~declaration~of
\qm the~Lord \nd God\nd* of~Armies~—
\q for your day has~come,
\q the time when I will punish~you.
\q1
\v 32 The arrogant will stumble and~fall~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:32 \ft \+xt Ps 27:2; Pr 24:16–17; Is 3:8; 8:15; 31:3\+xt*\f*
\q with no one to~pick~him~up.
\q I will set fire to~his~cities,
\q and it will consume~everything around~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:32 \ft \+xt Jr 21:14\+xt*\f*
\s1 The Desolation of Babylon
\m
\v 33 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Israelites and Judeans alike have~been~oppressed.
\q All their captors hold~them~fast;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:33 \ft \+xt 2Ch 28:11; 30:9; Is 14:17; 61:1; Jr 13:17\+xt*\f*
\q they refuse to~release~them.
\q1
\v 34 Their Redeemer is~strong;
\q the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies is~his~name.
\q He will fervently champion~their~cause~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:34 \ft \+xt 1Sm 24:15; Pr 23:11; Is 47:4; Jr 51:36\+xt*\f*
\q so that he might bring~rest to~the~earth
\q but turmoil to~those who~live in~Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:34 \ft \+xt Mc 4:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 35 A sword is over~the~Chaldeans~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q against those who~live in~Babylon,
\q against her officials, and~against her~sages.
\q1
\v 36 A sword is against~the~diviners,
\q and they will act~foolishly.
\q A sword is against~her~heroic~warriors,
\q and they will be~terrified.
\q1
\v 37 A sword is against~his~horses and~chariots
\q and against all~the~foreigners among~them,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:37 \ft \+xt Ex 12:38; Neh 13:1–3; Jr 25:20\+xt*\f*
\q and they will be like~women.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:37 \ft \+xt Is 19:16; Jr 48:41; 51:30; Nah 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q A sword is against~her~treasuries,
\q and they will be~plundered.
\q1
\v 38 A drought will come on~her~waters,
\q and they will be dried~up.
\q For it is a land of~carved~images,
\q and they go mad because~of terrifying~things.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 50:38 \ft Or \fqa of dreaded gods\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:38 \ft \+xt Ex 15:16; 23:27; Jb 20:25\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 39 Therefore, desert~creatures~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 50:39 \ft Or \fqa desert demons\f* will~live with~hyenas,
\q and ostriches will~also~live in~her.
\q It will never again be~inhabited
\q or lived in through~all~generations.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:39 \ft \+xt Is 13:20–21; 34:13–14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 40 Just as God demolished~Sodom and~Gomorrah
\q and their neighboring towns~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:40 \ft \+xt Gn 19:24–25\+xt*\f*~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q so no one will live~there;
\q no human being will~stay in~it even temporarily
\q as a temporary resident.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:40 \ft \+xt Jr 49:18–21,33\+xt*\f*
\s1 The Conquest of Babylon
\q1
\v 41 Look! A people comes from~the~north.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:41–43 \ft \+xt Jr 6:22–24; 49:24\+xt*\f*
\q A great nation and~many~kings will~be stirred~up
\q from the remote regions of~the~earth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:41 \ft \+xt Jr 6:22; 25:32; 31:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 42 They grasp bow and~javelin.
\q They are cruel and~show no~mercy.
\q Their voice roars like~the~sea,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:42 \ft \+xt Is 5:30; 17:12\+xt*\f*
\q and they ride on~horses,
\q lined up like~men in~battle~formation
\q against you, Daughter Babylon.
\q1
\v 43 The king of Babylon has~heard about~them;
\q his hands have become weak.
\q Distress has seized~him~—
\q pain, like~a~woman in~labor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:43 \ft \+xt Ps 48:6; Is 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; Jr 4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; 30:6; 49:24; Mc 4:9–10; 1Th 5:3\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 44 “Look, it will be like a lion coming from the thickets~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 50:44 \ft Lit \fqa pride\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:44 \ft \+xt Ps 10:9; 17:12; Is 5:29; Jr 2:15; 5:6; 12:5; 25:38; 50:17; Zch 11:3\+xt*\f* of the Jordan to the watered grazing land. I will chase Babylon~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 50:44 \ft Lit \fqa them\f* away from her land in a flash. I will appoint whoever is chosen for her. For who is like me? Who will issue me a summons? Who is the shepherd who can stand against me?~”
\p
\v 45 Therefore, hear the plans that the \nd Lord\nd* has drawn up against Babylon and the strategies he has devised against the land of the Chaldeans:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:45 \ft \+xt Jr 51:29\+xt*\f* Certainly the flock’s little lambs will be dragged away; certainly the grazing land will be made desolate because of them.
\v 46 At the sound of Babylon’s conquest the earth will quake; a cry will be heard among the nations.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 50:44–46 \ft \+xt Jr 49:19–21\+xt*\f*
\c 51
\s1 God’s Judgment on Babylon
\m
\v 1 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q I am about to~rouse~the spirit of a destroyer~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:1 \ft Or \fqa to stir up a destructive wind\f* against~Babylon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:1 \ft \+xt Jr 4:11–12; 50:9\+xt*\f*
\q and against the~population of~Leb-qamai.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:1 \ft Lit \fqa heart of my adversaries\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 51:1 \ft = Chaldeans\f*
\q1
\v 2 I will send strangers to~Babylon
\q who will scatter her and~strip her~land~bare,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:2 \ft \+xt Jr 15:7; Mt 3:12\+xt*\f*
\q for they will come against~her
\q from every side in~the~day of~disaster.
\q1
\v 3 Don’t let the~archer~string his~bow;
\q don’t let him put~on~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:3 \ft Hb obscure\f* his~armor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:3 \ft \+xt Jb 41:13; Jr 46:4\+xt*\f*
\q Don’t spare her~young~men;
\q completely destroy her~entire~army!
\q1
\v 4 Those who were slain will~fall in~the~land of~the~Chaldeans,
\q those who were pierced~through, in~her~streets.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:4 \ft \+xt Jr 51:47,52\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 For Israel and~Judah are~not left~widowed
\q by their God, the~\nd Lord\nd* of~Armies,
\q though their land is full~of~guilt
\q against the Holy One of~Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:5 \ft \+xt Ps 78:41; Is 37:23; Jr 50:29\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 6 Leave Babylon;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:6 \ft \+xt Jr 50:8; Rv 18:4\+xt*\f*
\q save your lives, each~of~you!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:6 \ft \+xt Jr 48:6; 51:45\+xt*\f*
\q Don’t perish because of her~guilt.
\q For this is the~time of~the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~vengeance~—
\q he will pay her what~she~deserves.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:6 \ft \+xt Ps 28:4; 137:8; Is 66:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Babylon was a~gold~cup in~the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~hand,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:7 \ft \+xt Rv 17:4\+xt*\f*
\q making the whole earth drunk.
\q The nations drank her~wine;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:7 \ft \+xt Rv 14:8; 18:3\+xt*\f*
\q therefore, the~nations go~mad.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:7 \ft \+xt Jr 25:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Suddenly Babylon fell and~was~shattered.
\q Wail for her;
\q get balm~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:8 \ft \+xt Jr 8:22; 46:11\+xt*\f* for~her~wound~—
\q perhaps she can be~healed.
\b
\q1
\v 9 We tried to~heal~Babylon,
\q but she could~not be~healed.
\q Abandon her!
\q Let each of us go to~his~own~land,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:9 \ft \+xt Is 13:14\+xt*\f*
\q for her judgment extends to~the~sky
\q and reaches as~far as~the~clouds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:9 \ft \+xt Rv 18:5\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 10 The \nd Lord\nd* has~brought~about our~vindication;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:10 \ft \+xt Ps 37:6\+xt*\f*
\q come, let’s tell in~Zion
\q what the \nd Lord\nd* our~God has~accomplished.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:10 \ft \+xt Jr 50:28\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 11 Sharpen the~arrows!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:11 \ft \+xt Is 5:28; Jr 50:9,14,29; 51:3\+xt*\f*
\q Fill the~quivers!~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:11 \ft Or \fqa Grasp the shields!\f*
\q The \nd Lord\nd* has roused~the spirit
\q of the kings of~the~Medes
\q because his plan is~aimed at~Babylon
\q to destroy her,
\q for it is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~vengeance,
\q vengeance for his~temple.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:11 \ft \+xt Jr 50:28\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 Raise up a~signal~flag~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:12 \ft \+xt Ps 60:4; Is 5:26; 18:3\+xt*\f*
\q against the walls of~Babylon;
\q fortify the~watch~post;
\q set the watchmen in~place;
\q prepare the~ambush.
\q For the \nd Lord\nd* has~both~planned and~accomplished
\q what he has~threatened
\q against those~who~live in~Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:12 \ft \+xt Is 14:26; 19:12,17; 23:8; Jr 18:11; 49:20,30; 50:45; Mc 2:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 You who reside by~abundant~water,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:13 \ft \+xt Rv 17:1\+xt*\f*
\q rich in~treasures,
\q your end has~come,
\q your life thread is~cut.
\b
\p
\v 14 The \nd Lord\nd* of Armies has sworn by himself:
\q I will fill you up with~men as~with~locusts,
\q and they will sing the~victory~song over~you.
\b
\q1
\v 15 He made the~earth by~his~power,
\q established the~world~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:15 \ft \+xt Jb 38:4; Ps 93:1; 96:10\+xt*\f* by~his~wisdom,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:15 \ft \+xt Pr 3:19–20; 8:22–29\+xt*\f*
\q and spread out the~heavens by~his~understanding.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:15 \ft \+xt Jb 9:8; Ps 104:2; Is 45:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 When he~thunders,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:16 \ft Lit \fqa At his giving of the voice\f*
\q the waters in~the~heavens are tumultuous,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:16 \ft \+xt Jr 5:22; 31:35\+xt*\f*
\q and he causes the~clouds
\q to rise from~the~ends of~the~earth.
\q He makes lightning for~the~rain
\q and brings the wind from~his~storehouses.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:16 \ft \+xt Jb 38:25–30,34–38; Ps 135:7\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 17 Everyone is stupid and~ignorant.
\q Every goldsmith is put~to~shame by~his~carved~image,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:17 \ft \+xt Is 40:18–31; 46:1–7\+xt*\f*
\q for his cast images are a~lie;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:17 \ft \+xt Is 41:29\+xt*\f*
\q there is no breath in~them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:17 \ft \+xt Hab 2:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 They are worthless,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:18 \ft \+xt Jr 10:3,8\+xt*\f* a~work to~be~mocked.
\q At the time of~their~punishment they~will be~destroyed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:18 \ft \+xt Jr 6:15; 10:15; 49:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Jacob’s Portion~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 51:19 \ft = The Lord\f* is~not like~these
\q because he is the~one who~formed all~things.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:19 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7–8,19; Ps 95:5; Is 43:1\+xt*\f*
\q Israel is the~tribe of~his~inheritance;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:19 \ft \+xt Dt 4:20; 32:8–9; Ps 74:2; 78:71; Is 63:17; Mc 7:18; Eph 1:18\+xt*\f*
\q the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies is his~name.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:15–19 \ft \+xt Jr 10:12–16\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 20 You are my~war~club,
\q my weapons of~war.
\q With you I will smash nations;
\q with you I will bring kingdoms to~ruin.
\q1
\v 21 With you I will smash the~horse and~its~rider;
\q with you I will smash the~chariot and~its~rider.
\q1
\v 22 With you I will smash man and~woman;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:22 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:17; Is 13:15–18\+xt*\f*
\q with you I will smash the~old~man and~the~youth;
\q with you I will smash the~young~man and~the~young woman.
\q1
\v 23 With you I will smash the~shepherd and~his~flock;
\q with you I will smash the~farmer and~his~ox-team.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:23 \ft Lit \fqa yoke\f*
\q With you I will smash governors and~officials.
\b
\p
\v 24 “Before your very eyes, I will repay Babylon and all the residents of Chaldea for all their evil they have done in Zion.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:24 \ft \+xt 2Sm 12:11; Is 1:7; Jr 16:9; 20:4; 29:21; 39:16; 50:15,29\+xt*\f*
\pr This is the \nd Lord\nd*’s declaration.
\q1
\v 25 Look, I am against~you, devastating~mountain.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q You devastate the~whole~earth.
\q I will stretch out my~hand against~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:25 \ft \+xt Jr 15:6; Ezk 6:14; 25:7\+xt*\f*
\q roll you down from~the~cliffs,
\q and turn you into a~charred~mountain.
\q1
\v 26 No one will be able to~retrieve a~cornerstone
\q or a foundation stone from~you,
\q because you will~become desolate~forever.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 27 Raise a signal flag~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:27 \ft \+xt Ps 60:4; Is 5:26; 18:3\+xt*\f* in~the~land;
\q blow a ram’s horn among~the~nations;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:27 \ft \+xt Jr 4:5; 6:1\+xt*\f*
\q set apart the nations against~her.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:27 \ft \+xt Jr 6:4; 22:7; 50:9\+xt*\f*
\q Summon kingdoms against~her~—
\q Ararat, Minni, and~Ashkenaz.
\q Appoint a marshal against~her;
\q bring up horses like~a~swarm~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:27 \ft Hb obscure\f* of~locusts.
\q1
\v 28 Set apart the~nations for~battle against~her~—
\q the kings of~Media,
\q her governors and~all~her~officials,
\q and all the lands they~rule.
\q1
\v 29 The earth quakes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:29 \ft \+xt Ps 18:7; Is 13:13; Jr 50:46\+xt*\f* and~trembles
\q because the \nd Lord\nd*’s intentions against~Babylon stand:
\q to make the~land of~Babylon a~desolation, without inhabitant.
\q1
\v 30 Babylon’s warriors have stopped~fighting;
\q they sit in~their~strongholds.
\q Their might is~exhausted;
\q they have become like~women.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:30 \ft \+xt Jr 50:37\+xt*\f*
\q Babylon’s homes have~been set~ablaze,
\q her gate bars are~shattered.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:30 \ft \+xt Lm 2:9; Nah 3:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 Messenger races to~meet~messenger,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:31 \ft \+xt 2Ch 30:6\+xt*\f*
\q and herald to~meet~herald,
\q to announce to~the~king of~Babylon
\q that his city has~been~captured
\q from end to~end.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:31 \ft \+xt Jr 50:24\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 32 The fords have~been~seized,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:32 \ft \+xt Jdg 12:5\+xt*\f*
\q the marshes set~on~fire,
\q and the fighting men are~terrified.
\b
\p
\v 33 For this is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies, the God of Israel, says:
\q Daughter Babylon is like~a~threshing~floor
\q at~the~time it~is~trampled.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:33 \ft \+xt Is 21:10\+xt*\f*
\q In just a little while her~harvest~time will~come.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:33 \ft \+xt Is 17:5; Jl 3:13; Rv 14:15\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 34 “King Nebuchadnezzar of~Babylon has~devoured~me;
\q he has crushed~me.
\q He has set me aside like~an~empty~dish;
\q he has swallowed me like~a~sea~monster;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:34 \ft \+xt Ps 74:13; Is 27:1; Ezk 29:3\+xt*\f*
\q he filled his~belly with~my~delicacies;
\q he has vomited~me~out.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 51:34 \ft Lit \fqa has rinsed me off\f*
\q1
\v 35 Let the violence done to~me and~my~family be~done to~Babylon,”
\q says the inhabitant of~Zion.
\q “Let my blood be on~the~inhabitants of~Chaldea,”
\q says Jerusalem.
\b
\p
\v 36 Therefore, this is what the \nd Lord\nd* says:
\q I am about to~champion your~cause~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:36 \ft \+xt 1Sm 24:15; Pr 23:11; Jr 50:34\+xt*\f*
\q and take vengeance on~your~behalf;
\q I will dry up her~sea~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:36 \ft \+xt Ex 14:16–15:21\+xt*\f*
\q and make her~fountain run~dry.
\q1
\v 37 Babylon will become a~heap of~rubble,
\q a jackals’ den,
\q a desolation and~an~object of~scorn,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:37 \ft \+xt 2Ch 29:8; Jr 18:16; 19:8\+xt*\f*
\q without inhabitant.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:37 \ft \+xt Jr 4:7; 9:11; 33:10; 34:22; 44:2,22; 46:19; 48:9; 49:33\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 38 They will roar~together like~young~lions;
\q they will growl like~lion~cubs.
\q1
\v 39 While they are~flushed with~heat, I~will~serve~them a~feast,
\q and I will make~them~drunk so~that they~celebrate.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 51:39 \ft LXX reads \fqa pass out\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:39 \ft \+xt Jr 51:57\+xt*\f*
\q Then they will fall asleep~forever
\q and never wake up.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\q1
\v 40 I will bring them down like~lambs to~the~slaughter,
\q like rams together with~male~goats.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:40 \ft \+xt Is 34:6; Ezk 39:18\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 41 How Sheshak~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 51:41 \ft = Babylon\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:41 \ft \+xt Jr 25:26\+xt*\f* has~been~captured,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:41 \ft \+xt Jr 25:26\+xt*\f*
\q the praise~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:41 \ft \+xt Jr 33:9; 49:25\+xt*\f* of~the~whole~earth~seized.
\q What a horror Babylon has~become
\q among the nations!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:41 \ft \+xt Jr 50:23\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 42 The sea has risen over~Babylon;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:42 \ft \+xt Is 8:7–8\+xt*\f*
\q she is covered with~its~tumultuous~waves.
\q1
\v 43 Her cities have become a~desolation,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:43 \ft \+xt Jr 50:12\+xt*\f*
\q an arid desert,
\q a land where no~one~lives,
\q where no human being even passes~through.
\q1
\v 44 I will punish Bel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:44 \ft \+xt Is 46:1; Jr 50:2\+xt*\f* in~Babylon.
\q I will make him vomit what~he~swallowed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:44 \ft \+xt Jb 20:15\+xt*\f*
\q The nations will no~longer~stream to~him;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:44 \ft \+xt Is 2:2; Mc 4:1\+xt*\f*
\q even Babylon’s wall will~fall.
\b
\q1
\v 45 Come out from~among~her, my~people!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:45 \ft \+xt Jr 51:6\+xt*\f*
\q Save your lives, each~of~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:45 \ft \+xt Jr 48:6; 51:6\+xt*\f*
\q from the \nd Lord\nd*’s burning~anger.
\q1
\v 46 May you not become~cowardly and~fearful
\q when the report is~proclaimed in~the~land,
\q for the report will~come one~year,
\q and then another the~next~year.
\q There will be violence in~the~land
\q with ruler against~ruler.
\q1
\v 47 Therefore, look, the~days are~coming~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:47 \ft \+xt Jr 7:32; 16:14; 19:6; 23:7; 48:12; 49:2; 51:52\+xt*\f*
\q when I will punish Babylon’s~carved~images.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:47 \ft \+xt Jr 50:2\+xt*\f*
\q Her entire land will~suffer~shame,
\q and all her slain will~lie~fallen within~her.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:47 \ft \+xt Jr 50:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 48 Heaven and earth and~everything in~them
\q will shout for~joy~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:48 \ft \+xt Is 44:23; 49:13\+xt*\f* over~Babylon
\q because the destroyers from~the~north~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:48 \ft \+xt Is 41:25; Jr 4:6,20; 6:1; 15:12; 47:2; 50:3,9,41\+xt*\f*
\q will come against~her.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 49 Babylon must fall because~of the~slain of~Israel,
\q even as the slain of~the whole~earth~fell
\q because of Babylon.
\q1
\v 50 You who have escaped the~sword,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:50 \ft \+xt Jr 44:28\+xt*\f*
\q go and do not stand~still!
\q Remember the~\nd Lord\nd* from~far~away,
\q and let Jerusalem come to~your~mind.
\b
\q1
\v 51 We are ashamed
\q because we have heard~insults.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:51 \ft \+xt Ps 44:15\+xt*\f*
\q Humiliation covers our~faces
\q because foreigners have~entered
\q the holy places of~the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~temple.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:51 \ft \+xt Lm 1:10\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 52 Therefore, look, the~days are~coming~—
\qm this~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration~—
\q when I will punish her~carved~images,
\q and the wounded will~groan
\q throughout her land.
\q1
\v 53 Even if Babylon should~ascend to~the~heavens~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:53 \ft \+xt Gn 11:4; Is 14:12–14; Jr 49:16\+xt*\f*
\q and fortify her~tall~fortresses,
\q destroyers will come against~her from~me.
\qm This~is the~\nd Lord\nd*’s~declaration.
\b
\q1
\v 54 The sound of~a~cry from~Babylon!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:54 \ft \+xt Jr 50:22\+xt*\f*
\q The sound of~terrible~destruction~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:54 \ft \+xt Jr 4:6; 6:1; 14:17; 48:3; Zph 1:10\+xt*\f*
\q from the land of~the~Chaldeans!
\q1
\v 55 For the \nd Lord\nd* is going to~devastate~Babylon;
\q he will silence her~mighty~voice.
\q Their waves roar like~a huge~torrent;
\q the tumult of~their~voice~resounds,
\q1
\v 56 for a destroyer is~coming against~her,
\q against Babylon.
\q Her warriors will~be~captured,
\q their bows shattered,
\q for the \nd Lord\nd* is a~God of~retribution;
\q he will certainly~repay.
\q1
\v 57 I will make her~princes and~sages~drunk,
\q along with her governors, officials, and~warriors.
\q Then they will fall asleep~forever
\q and never wake up.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:57 \ft \+xt Jr 51:39\+xt*\f*
\qm This~is the~King’s~declaration;
\qm the \nd Lord\nd* of~Armies is his~name.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:57 \ft \+xt Jr 46:18; 48:15\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 58 This is what the \nd Lord\nd* of Armies says:
\q Babylon’s thick walls will~be totally~demolished,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:58 \ft \+xt Jr 50:15\+xt*\f*
\q and her high gates set~ablaze.
\q The peoples will have labored for~nothing;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:58 \ft \+xt Hab 2:13\+xt*\f*
\q the nations will weary~themselves only~to~feed the~fire.
\b
\p
\v 59 This is what the prophet Jeremiah commanded Seraiah son of Neriah son of Mahseiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:59 \ft \+xt Jr 32:12\+xt*\f* the quartermaster, when he went to Babylon with King Zedekiah of Judah in the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign.
\v 60 Jeremiah wrote on one scroll about all the disaster that would come to Babylon;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:60 \ft \+xt Jr 36:2\+xt*\f* all these words were written against Babylon.
\p
\v 61 Jeremiah told Seraiah, “When you get to Babylon, see that you read all these words aloud.
\v 62 Say, ‘\nd Lord\nd*, you have threatened to cut off~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:62 \ft \+xt 1Sm 20:15; Ps 109:13; Is 10:7; Jr 9:21; 44:11; 47:4; Ob 14\+xt*\f* this place so that no one will live in it~#—~#people or animals.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:62 \ft \+xt Ps 135:8; Jr 7:20; 21:6; 32:43; 33:10,12; 36:29; 50:3\+xt*\f* Indeed, it will remain desolate forever.’
\v 63 When you have finished reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates River.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 51:63 \ft \+xt Jr 19:10–11; Rv 18:21\+xt*\f*
\v 64 Then say, ‘In the same way, Babylon will sink and never rise again because of the disaster I am bringing on her. They will grow weary.’~”
\p The words of Jeremiah end here.
\c 52
\s1 The Fall of Jerusalem
\m
\v 1 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.
\v 2 Zedekiah did what was evil in the \nd Lord\nd*’s sight just as Jehoiakim had done.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:2 \ft \+xt 2Kg 23:34–24:6; 2Ch 36:4–8\+xt*\f*
\v 3 Because of the \nd Lord\nd*’s anger, it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he finally banished them from his presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:1–3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:18–20; 2Ch 36:11–13\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 4 In the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon advanced against Jerusalem with his entire army. They laid siege to the city and built a siege wall against it all around.
\v 5 The city was under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year.
\p
\v 6 By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that the common people had no food.
\v 7 Then the city was broken into, and all the warriors fled. They left the city at night by way of the city gate between the two walls near the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans surrounded the city. They made their way along the route to the Arabah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:7 \ft \+xt Dt 2:8\+xt*\f*
\v 8 The Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. Zedekiah’s entire army left him and scattered.
\v 9 The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him.
\p
\v 10 At Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes, and he also slaughtered the Judean commanders.
\v 11 Then he blinded Zedekiah and bound him with bronze chains. The king of Babylon brought Zedekiah to Babylon, where he kept him in custody~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:11 \ft Lit \fqa in a house of guards\f* until his dying day.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:4–11 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:1–7; Jr 39:1–7\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 12 On the tenth day of the fifth month~#—~#which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon~#—~#Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guards, entered Jerusalem as the representative of~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:12 \ft Lit \fqa Jerusalem; he stood before\f* the king of Babylon.
\v 13 He burned the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple, the king’s palace, all the houses of Jerusalem; he burned down all the great houses.
\v 14 The whole Chaldean army with the captain of the guards tore down all the walls surrounding Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:13–14 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:19\+xt*\f*
\v 15 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guards, deported some of the poorest of the people, as well as the rest of the people who remained in the city, the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the craftsmen.
\v 16 But Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guards, left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and farmers.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:12–16 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:8–12; Jr 39:8–10\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 17 Now the Chaldeans broke into pieces the bronze pillars for the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple and the water carts and the bronze basin~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:17 \ft Lit \fqa sea\f* that were in the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:17 \ft \+xt 1Kg 7:23,27\+xt*\f* and they carried all the bronze to Babylon.
\v 18 They also took the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling basins, dishes, and all the bronze articles used in the temple service.
\v 19 The captain of the guards took away the bowls, firepans, sprinkling basins, pots, lampstands, pans, and drink offering bowls~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:19 \ft \+xt Ex 25:29; 37:16; Nm 4:7\+xt*\f*~#—~#whatever was gold or silver.
\p
\v 20 As for the two pillars, the one basin, with the twelve bronze oxen under it, and the water carts~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 52:20 \ft LXX, Syr; MT reads \fqa oxen under the water carts\f* that King Solomon had made for the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple, the weight of the bronze of all these articles was beyond measure.
\v 21 One pillar was 27 feet~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:21 \ft Lit \fqa 18 cubits\f* tall, had a circumference of 18 feet,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:21 \ft Lit \fqa 12 cubits\f* was hollow~#—~#four fingers thick~#—~#
\v 22 and had a bronze capital on top of it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:22 \ft \+xt 1Kg 7:16–20,41–42; 2Ch 4:12–13\+xt*\f* One capital, encircled by bronze grating and pomegranates, stood 7~1/2 feet~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:22 \ft Lit \fqa five cubits\f* high. The second pillar was the same, with pomegranates.
\v 23 Each capital had ninety-six pomegranates all around it. All the pomegranates around the grating numbered one hundred.
\p
\v 24 The captain of the guards also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of the second rank, and the three doorkeepers.
\v 25 From the city he took a court official~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:25 \ft Or \fqa a eunuch\f* who had been appointed over the warriors; seven trusted royal aides~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:25 \ft Lit \fqa seven men who look on the king’s face\f* found in the city; the secretary of the commander of the army, who enlisted the people of the land for military duty; and sixty men from the common people~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 52:25 \ft Lit \fqa the people of the land\f* who were found within the city.
\v 26 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guards, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
\v 27 The king of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah went into exile from its land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:17–27 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:13–21\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 28 These are the people Nebuchadnezzar deported:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:28 \ft \+xt 2Kg 24:12–16\+xt*\f* in the seventh year, 3,023 Jews;
\v 29 in his eighteenth year,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 52:29 \ft Some Hb mss, Syr add \fqa he deported\f* 832 people from Jerusalem;
\v 30 in Nebuchadnezzar’s twenty-third year, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guards, deported 745 Jews. Altogether, 4,600 people were deported.
\s1 Jehoiachin Pardoned
\m
\v 31 On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Judah’s King Jehoiachin, King Evil-merodach of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, pardoned King Jehoiachin of Judah and released him from prison.
\v 32 He spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the thrones of the kings who were with him in Babylon.
\v 33 So Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes, and he dined regularly in the presence of the king of Babylon for the rest of his life.
\v 34 As for his allowance, a regular allowance was given to him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, for the rest of his life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 52:31–34 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:27–30\+xt*\f*
