Chapter 1
1 These are the words of God that came to JeremiJah (the son of HilkiJah), [one of] the Priests
who lived in AnaThoth in the land of BenJamin, 2 as the word of God came to him
in the days of JosiJah (the son of AmMon) the king of Judah in the thirteenth
year of his reign. 3 All of this happened from the time of JehoiAkim (the son of
JosiJah) the king of
4 The word of Jehovah came to me saying, 5 ‘Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; before you came from the womb I made you holy, and I’ve appointed you a Prophet to the nations.’
6 And I said, ‘O Almighty One and Lord, {Look!} I don’t know how to speak, for I am just a young man.’
7 And the Lord told me, ‘Don’t say that you’re just a young man, for you’ll go to whomever I send you, and you’ll say whatever I instruct you to speak! 8 Don’t be afraid when you are before them, for I am with you and I’ll save you,’ said Jehovah.
9 Then the Lord stuck out his hand toward me, and then he touched my mouth. And he said, ‘Look! I’m putting My words in your mouth! 10 {Look!} Today I’ve appointed you over nations and kingdoms, to root out, cut down, and set free, and to rebuild and replant.’
11 And thereafter the word of Jehovah came to me asking, ‘What do you see, JeremiJah?’
And I said, ‘A walnut walking stick.’
12 And the Lord said to me, ‘You are [very observant], for I am alert to doing what I [say].’
13 Then the word of Jehovah came to me a second times asking, ‘What do you see?’
And I replied, ‘A kettle on a fire with its front facing north.’
14 And the Lord said to me, ‘From the face of the north,
all who are bad will be burned away, from those who live in the land. 15 For, {Look!} I will
gather all the kingdoms from the north,’ says Jehovah. ‘They will come and each
one will place his throne, upon the thresholds of
17 ‘Then you must arise and wrap up your waist, and tell them all I’ll instruct you to say! Don’t be afraid when you go before them, nor be in terror before them, for I am with you and I’ll save you,’ says Jehovah.
18 {Look!} Today I’ve made you a fortified city – a
fortified wall of brass – against the kings of
Chapter 2
1 Then the word of the Lord came to
me saying, 2 ‘Go and yell in the ears of
4 O house of Jacob, and all you families of the house of
7 ‘Then I led you to
8 ‘The Priests did not ask, Where’s Jehovah? And those resisting the Law to Me were not drawn. Your shepherds were irreverent before Me; your prophets prophesied by Baal; and after worthless things you then followed. 9 Yet, despite all of this I’ve decided [to accept] you,’ says Jehovah, ‘and the sons of your sons I’ll [accept].’
10 ‘Go to the
12 ‘By this the heavens were amazed and they shuddered,’ says Jehovah. ‘For, to Me My people did two wicked things: 13 They abandoned the spring of the water of life, and dug for themselves cisterns that are broken, and unable to hold any water.
14 ‘Is
16 ‘Sons of Memphis and TahaPanhes both knew you and mocked you.
17 Didn’t such things happen because you left Me?’ asks Jehovah your
God. 18 ‘Now, what are the ways of
19 ‘So, for your defection you’ll be corrected; for your evil you’ll be scolded, and then you’ll know and you’ll see, how bitter are the ways of leaving Me,’ says Jehovah your God!
20 ‘So, I’ve thought [poorly] of you,’ says Jehovah your God. ‘For, throughout the ages you’ve broken your yoke, and ripped up all of your bonds. You said I won’t be [Your] servant, but I’ll go to every high hill, and beneath every shade tree, and that’s where I’ll do all my whoring!
21 ‘But it is I who planted you as a grapevine, for the purpose of bearing the fruitage of truth. So, why did you become so bitter, and become a grapevine that’s strange? 22 For, if you’d wash yourself in bleach, and if you’d use plenty of soap, you’d still be spotted in your sins before Me,’ says Jehovah.
23 ‘How can you say that you’re not defiled, and that you didn’t go after Baal? Look how you acted in the cemeteries, and then you’ll know what you did!
24 ‘[You can hear] her screams in the evenings, as her ways spread like water in the desert. She’s carried by the winds in the desires of her life, as to them she’s being handed over. For, those who seek here won’t tire of her, and in her humiliation they’ll find her. Yet, who can turn her away? 25 Turn your feet from this rough path, and your throat away from this thirst!
‘But she said, I will act like a man, for I have gone after strangers, and I have made love to them.
26 ‘As a thief is shamed when he’s caught, so the sons of
‘For, in each of your cities were your gods, O Judah. And in
each of the streets in
‘You’ve all been irreverent and lawless against Me,’ says Jehovah. 30 ‘So, it’s in vain that I’ve struck your children, for they weren’t corrected by this. A sword devoured your prophets – they were wiped away as by a lion – yet you didn’t [learn] to fear Me.’
31 Hear the word of the Lord! For, Jehovah asks; ‘Have I
become a desert to
33 ‘What good can you apply to your ways, to be able to seek [My] affection? It won’t be to any avail, for you’ve been wicked and defiled all your ways, and in your hands was found innocent blood. 34 I didn’t find them in ditches, but [hanging] from every oak tree. 35 Yet, you say, I am innocent, so turn away His rage.
‘{Look!} I am the judge against you, when you say I have
not sinned! 36 For you are disdained very much, for repeating your ways a
second time. So, you’ll get disgrace from
Chapter 3
1 ‘If a husband [divorces] his wife, and she leaves and [marries] another, and then she [also leaves him], can she return [to her husband] again? After being defiled, is she not defiled? Yet after [having sex] with many shepherds, and you then come back to Me,’ says Jehovah. 2 ‘So, raise your eyes to see the right way; look at how you’ve been defiled!
‘You sat by the road [and waited] for them, alone and defiled like a crow, within the land of your evil and whoring. 3 You’ve stumbled and had many shepherds, and having the look of a prostitute, you cast shame on them all.
4 ‘Was it not up ‘til now that you called Me [your] Father, and the [the One who] founded your virginity, 5 [saying], It will last through the age; it be guarded for victory? {Look!} It was you who said this, and still all these evils continued.’
6 It was during the days of King JosiJah
that the Lord said to me, ‘You saw what she did to Me… the house of
‘By them the house of
11 Then the Lord said to me, ‘
14 ‘So, return O you sons who’ve revolted, says
Jehovah, and I will then be your Lord. I will take a city from among you,
and two from out of each family. Then I will bring you to
16 ‘And if you grow and spread through the land, says
Jehovah, in those days they’ll not speak anymore, of the Chest of the
Agreement of Holy
18 ‘In those days the houses of
19 And I said, ‘May it happen, O Lord… You said it!’
[And He said]; ‘I arranged for you [to have] children, and provided you with a very choice land… the inheritance of the Almighty of the nations.’
And you said, ‘I will call You my father, and from You I’ll never be turned.’
20 ‘But as a wife annuls [a marriage] with [her husband],
so the house of
21 ‘The sound of weeping was heard from her lips, and the
begging of the sons of
22 ‘Turn back, O sons… turn back and I’ll heal your broken condition!’
{Look!} That’s how we’ll be with You, for You are Jehovah our God! 23 For, the powers of the hills and the mountains, are really the powers of Jehovah, and our God is the Savior of Israel.
24 But shame has consumed the efforts of our fathers, since the time of our youth… their sheep and their calves, their sons and their daughters. 25 For, we went to bed in our shame, and we were covered by our dishonor, because; before our God we had sinned, as had also our fathers, from the time of our youth to this day. And we paid no attention to the voice of Jehovah our God.
Chapter 4
1 ‘If Israel should [choose to] return,’ says Jehovah, ‘to him I’ll also return. And if he’ll remove disgusting things from his mouth, then
[bow and] show reverence before Me, 2 and swear with an oath that Jehovah’s
alive, then he’ll be blest with the truth, as well as equity and justice. All the
nations will then bless him, and in
3 For, to the men of
5 ‘Announce throughout
7 ‘For, the lion has come from his lair, for the purpose of wiping out nations. He got up and came from his place, to desolate the land and destroy it. Your cities will all be demolished, so you’ll no longer live there. 8 And because of this put on sack cloth, then be sad and call out, because the rage and anger of Jehovah, will not be turned aside from you.
9 ‘And it will be that day,’ says Jehovah, ‘that the heart of the king will perish; the hearts of the rulers and Priests will be amazed, and all of the prophets will wonder.’
10 Then I said; ‘O, our Almighty Lord, surely You’re [joking]
and misleading these people! And to
11 ‘In that time they’ll say to these people, and to those in Jerusalem, There’s a spirit of addiction to a delusion in the desert, for the way of the daughter of My people is not pure, nor has she [made herself] holy.’
12 A spirit of completion then came upon me, so now I’ll speak judgments against them. 13 {Look!} He’ll ascend like a cloud and his chariots will blast; for his horses are lighter than eagles. So, woe upon us, for we are in such great misery!
14 ‘Wash the evils from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you should then be delivered. How long do you think your methods can exist, that are [the cause of] your miseries? 15 Because, a voice will be heard out of Dan, and from Ephraim your miseries will be heard.
16 ‘{Look!} You must remind the nations, and
inside
18 ‘Your ways and deeds brought these things upon you! Your evil is bitter and it’s reached to your hearts. 19 It makes My belly ache and brings [pain] to My heart. It causes My heart to feel spasms, yet My Soul is forced to take action.
20 ‘I will not stay silent, for My Soul has heard the sound of a trumpet, and the cries of misery and war. This conflict is something that’s called for, and misery will come suddenly throughout the land. For, My Tent now lies abandoned, and its covering of skins is pulled apart.
21 ‘How long will I see the [people] fleeing, and hear of the sounds of the trumpets? 22 For, the leaders of My people don’t know Me, because sons of foolishness they are, nor are they very discerning. They are wise to do evil; they don’t recognize how to do good.’
23 I looked on the earth and saw nothing, and into the sky
and its lights weren’t there. 24 I observed that the mountains were shaking,
and I saw that the hills were disturbed. 25 I looked and saw that no man
existed, and all the birds in the sky were scared away. I observed and saw that
27 Then Jehovah said, ‘The whole land will lie completely desolate, but there’s no way that I will then do it. 28 And because of this, let the land start to mourn, and let the sky above become darkened, because I have spoken and I won’t change My mind… I’ll allow it to happen and I won’t be dissuaded.’
29 From the sounds of horsemen and tightly stretched bows, in every place that they entered, they hid in caves and sacred groves, and from the rocks they ascended. Every city was abandoned, for mankind no longer lives there.
30 So now, what will you do… put on scarlet and ornaments of gold? If you should rub antimony on your eyelids, it will all be in vain. For, even in your finest of clothes, your lovers have thrust you away, and now they’re seeking your life.
31 I heard the sounds of women in labor, and the moans of
giving first birth. The voice of the daughter of
Chapter 5
1 ‘Run through Jerusalem’s streets… seek and search in her squares! See if you can find one man who is just, or a single man to be trusted, then to him I’ll be kind,’ says Jehovah. 2 ‘As Jehovah lives,’ they say, ‘but when they swear the oath aren’t they lying?’
3 O Lord; Your eyes have searched for those who are true. Yet, when You whipped them they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they wouldn’t accepted the correction. Their faces remained as solid as rocks, and to You they didn’t wish to return.
4 And I said, ‘Perhaps they’re just poor and they are unable, to know the ways of Jehovah, and [understand] the equity of God. 5 So, I’ll go and speak to those who are [rich], for they’ll recognize the ways of Jehovah, and the equity of God.’
And look, together they broke up their yokes, and they tore up their bonds. 6 Because of this they were struck by a lion… from out of the woods came a wolf, which entered their houses and [ate] them; and leopards kept watch in their cities. So, all those who leave them will be hunted, because their irreverence has increased, and their rejection [of God] has grown worse.
7 What sort of kindness should happen to you, now that your sons have all left Me? For, they’ve sworn by an oath to those who aren’t gods. So, with them I’ve now become filled, for they have committed adultery, and in their homes whores have found rest!
8 Like horses they snort and are sex crazed, each one over the wife of his neighbor. 9 ‘Over such things shouldn’t I come to visit?’ asks Jehovah. ‘Over such a nation shouldn’t My soul take its vengeance?
10 ‘So, climb her battle towers, then wipe them to the
ground ‘til they’re gone… but, you’re not the ones who will do it!
Destroy all her supports, for they didn’t come from Jehovah!
11 They have shown no respect,’ says Jehovah, ‘both the houses of
12 ‘They have lied to their Lord, and said; These things aren’t so… bad things won’t happen… neither the sword nor hunger will we see. 13 For, our Prophets are all windbags, and they don’t [speak] the word of Jehovah, so all this will happen to them, not to us!’
14 ‘It’s because of this,’ says Jehovah Almighty… ‘because you have said such things, {Look!} I’ve put My words into your mouths, and upon these people I’ll send fire, and it will consume them as though they were wood.
15 ‘Look, O house of
17 ‘Then they’ll devour your harvest and bread, as well as your sons and your daughters. They’ll devour your sheep and your calves… they’ll devour your vineyards and fig groves, as well as all your olives. They’ll thresh all your fortified cities with broadswords… all those that you’ve been relying upon. 18 And it will be in those days,’ says Jehovah, ‘Your God won’t allow you to see your fulfillment.
19 ‘Then, whenever you ask, For what reason has our God allowed this to happen?, Jehovah will give this reply, Because you left Me and served strange gods in your land. So, you will serve strangers in a land that’s not yours.’
20 ‘To the house of Jacob announce all these things, and let
it be heard throughout
23 ‘Yet, to these people came a heart that wouldn’t listen, and they resisted persuasion, so they turned aside and they left [Me]. 24 They haven’t said in their hearts, We should fear our God Jehovah, the One who gives rain in its seasons (both the early and late rains), and who ordered for us full harvests.
25 ‘By your lawless deeds you’ve turned aside from these things, and by your sins you’ve removed these good things from yourselves. 26 For, the godless have been found among My people; they’ve set snares to corrupt other men, as they’ve devised their own plans.
27 ‘As a snare is set and soon filled with birds, so their houses are filled with treachery. And because of this they’re now famous and rich… they’ve become fat on injustice. 28 They [refuse] to decide on the side of the orphan, and don’t judge on the [side] of the widow.
29 ‘So, am I not watching such things,’ asks Jehovah? And against such a nation won’t My soul soon bring vengeance?
30 ‘So, things have now become changed, and there is shuddering in the land. 31 For, the prophets have prophesied unjustly, the priests are clapping their hands, and all My people have loved it. So, what will you do after this?’
Chapter 6
1 ‘O sons of BenJamin become
strong,
there in the midst of
2 ‘O daughter of
4 ‘Prepare against her for war! Arise, for we’ll
attack her at
6 For, thus says Jehovah of Armies: ‘Cut down all of her trees! Send your forces against the city of liars! Finish your tyranny against her!
7 ‘As the water from a well is cool, you must cool off all of her evil. Disrespect and misery can be heard within her, and it will return to her face. 8 For in misery you’ll be corrected with a whip, lest My soul should leave you Jerusalem… lest I should make you an untrodden land, which won’t be lived in again.’
9 For, thus says Jehovah of Armies: ‘Glean, glean like a
grapevine, all the remaining of
10 ‘To whom should I speak… whom shall I tell that will listen? {Look!} Their ears are uncircumcised and unable to hear. {Look!} To them the word of Jehovah is scornful, so there’s no way they’ll be willing to hear it.
11 ‘I waited and My rage wasn’t filled, and I didn’t entirely finish them off, so I’ll pour it out on their children, and upon the gatherings of young men. Together men and women will be seized, with the elders and those who’ve filled all their days.
12 ‘Then their houses will be given to others, along with their fields and their wives. For, I’ll stretch out My hand ‘gainst all in this land,’ says Jehovah, 13 ‘all those from the small to the great… all who’ve been filled with lawless deeds; for from the priests to false prophets, all have acted in falsehood, 14 because they claim to bring healing to My people. They treat it with contempt and say there is peace, but where indeed is this peace?
15 ‘They’ll now be shamed because they have failed. But, though they’re disgraced in [their error], they’ll refuse to recognize all their dishonor. And because of this they will fall, and in the time of visitation they will perish,’ said Jehovah.
16 And the Lord said, ‘Stand in the paths and behold; ask the roads about Jehovah through the ages… then choose the best road and travel that way, and your lives will find purification!’ Yet, they replied ‘We won’t go.’
17 ‘Over you I have placed [My] watchmen, so pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ Yet, they replied, ‘We won’t listen!’ 18 And because of this all the nations have heard, as well as those tending their flocks.
19 ‘Look and pay attention O land, for upon this people I’ll bring bad things… the fruitage of their rejection. They’ve paid no attention to My word, and My Law they have pushed away.
20 ‘Why bring frankincense from
22 And Jehovah said; ‘{Look!} From the north there now comes a people, who’ll awaken the nations to the ends of the earth; 23 they’ll come with their spears and their bows, and they won’t show any mercy.
‘Their sound is like the roar of the sea. With horses and
chariots they’ll attack, bringing the fire of war against you, O you daughter
of
24 We’ve heard the report about them, and our hands become weak and oppression holds us down, as the pangs of a woman giving birth.
25 ‘Don’t go out into the fields, and do not walk on the roads, for your enemies are traveling with swords round about! So, daughters of My people put on sackcloth! Strew ashes and mourn as you’d do over someone you love. 26 For, in pity for yourselves you’ll be beating your breasts, because suddenly great misery will come upon you.
27 ‘From among [mankind] I’ve appointed someone, to [come and] test you as you’re being tried, and you’ll know that it’s Me who’s trying your ways. 28 All are unhearing and walking crooked ways. They’re being corrupted like brass touching iron.
29 ‘The bellows of the [forge] have failed all the faithless, so in vain that silversmith are working the silver, for their own wicked ways will not melt. 30 Call to them, for as their silver is rejected, they’ve been rejected by Jehovah.’
Chapter 7
1 Then the word of the Lord came to
JeremiJah
saying; ‘Stand on the gate of the [Temple] of Jehovah, and then read these
words and tell them: 2 Hear the word of Jehovah, Judea, for Jehovah of Armies
(the God of Israel) says: 3 Set right your ways and the things
you are doing, and I’ll settle you here in this place. 4 Don’t rely upon words that are lies, for they’ll be of no help when you
shout, O the
5 ‘And when you’re setting things straight, you should set right your deeds and your ways. There should be fairness between man and his neighbors, 6 and fairness with foreigners, orphans, and widows. 7 [You ] must no longer be tyrants; innocent blood do not shed in this place; and don’t chase after strange gods. Then [without such] badness I’ll settle you here, in this land that I gave to your fathers, from the ages and into the ages.
8 ‘But, since you trust in words that are lies, from which
you receive no benefit at all, 9 and you murder, commit adultery and steal;
swear untrue oaths, burn incense to Baal, and go after strange gods whom you do
not know; 10 there is just badness within you. Then you come and stand here
before Me, in the [
11 ‘Hasn’t My House that stands here before you, and which
is called by My Name, now become a den of thieves? Look, I’ve seen it!’ says
Jehovah. 12 ‘Go to My Place that’s in
13 ‘Now, because you have done all these things (I
spoke, but you wouldn’t listen to Me… I called and you failed to respond,) 14
I’ll do the same to this [
16 ‘Now; you must not pray for these people; don’t come to petition for their mercy; don’t come here with vows on their behalf, for I won’t listen to you!
17 ‘Don’t you see what they’re doing in the cities of
20 ‘It’s because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘{Look!} My anger and rage will be poured on this Place; upon the men and the cattle; upon every tree of the field; and upon the produce of the land… it has been kindled and it won’t be extinguished!’
21 Jehovah said; ‘Gather all your whole burnt-offerings,
along with your other sacrifices, and then just eat all the meats! 22 For, I
didn’t tell your fathers to do this, nor did I give them such instructions, concerning whole
burnt-offerings and sacrifices, when from the
24 ‘But they didn’t listen to Me, and they paid no attention
with their ears; they followed the evil thoughts in their hearts, and became
the butt not the head, from the day that their fathers left
27 ‘So, you must go and tell them these words, but they will not listen to you; you’ll call to them and they’ll not respond. 28 Thus you must go to them and then say, This is the nation that wouldn’t listen, to the voice of their God Jehovah; they failed to trust or give heed, to the instructions that come from [His] mouth.
29 ‘So, shear your [hair] and throw it away, then bring the sounds of wailing to you lips, for Jehovah has rejected and pushed them away… the generation that has done all these things!
30 ‘The sons of
32 ‘{Look!} It’s because of this that the days have now come,’ says Jehovah, ‘when in the Shrine of Tophet no more will be said, or in the Valley of the Sons of Hinnom; for their valley will soon be destroyed, and they’ll [bury] Tophet in a tomb, for his place will no longer exist. 33 His people will also be dead, and serve as food for the birds in the sky, and the wild animals on the ground; for no one will come to scare them away.
34 ‘From the cities of
Chapter 8
1 ‘In that time,’ says Jehovah, ‘they will bring out the bones of Judah’s kings, as well as the bones of its rulers; the bones of the Priests and the bones of the Prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem from their graves. 2 Then under the sun they will dry; there under the moon and the stars; there under the armies of the sky, which they so love and they served; those they followed and held to, and the ones whom they bowed before; then they’ll not be lamented or put in a tomb… 3 they’ll remain an example on the face of the ground. For, rather than life they chose death… all those that remain from that generation, in all the places where I’ve laid them.
4 ‘Will he who falls be resurrected,’ asks Jehovah, ‘or the one who has turned not return? 5 Why have they turned in impudent rejection, and held so firmly to their resolve… why didn’t they want to return?
6 ‘Give ear indeed and pay attention, for they aren’t saying what’s right! None of the men have repented their evil, or ask what they have done wrong… they’ve stopped running in the race, like a horse that is sweating and snorting.
7 ‘Why, the stork in the sky knows her time, as does the dove and the swallow of the fields. Even sparrows guard the times of their comings, but My people didn’t know the judgments of Jehovah. 8 So, how can you say We are wise, and we have the Law of Jehovah? For, the quill of the lying became useless to the scribes.
9 ‘The wise men have been shamed and they’re frightened, for they’ve been convicted of rejecting [God’s] Word, so what wisdom is still left among them? 10 For this I’ll give their wives to other men, and their fields to their heirs. For from the small to the great, they’ve pursued and loved money, and from prophet to priest all have told lies. 11 The broken daughter of My people they have treated with dishonor, and said Peace! Peace! when there wasn’t any peace.’
12 By disgusting things they have done they’ve been shamed, yet of their shame they weren’t shamed, and they refused to know any shame. And because of this they will fall, among all those who will fall. ‘In the time of My visit they’ll fall,’ says Jehovah. 13 ‘Then they will reap what they’ve [sown],’ says Jehovah.
There are no grapes on the grapevines, and there are no figs on the fig trees, for all their leaves have fallen and dropped. 14 So, why are we all just sitting here? Let’s gather and go to the fortified cities, where we will then be rejected, because our God has disowned us. Bile we’ll be given for water, for we have sinned before [God].
15 We’ve gathered for peace but received nothing good… just
worry in the time for healing. 16 For from Dan we’ll hear sounds of swift
horses… the sound of snorting and those riding the horses, and all the land will be shaken. Then he’ll come
and devour the land, as well as everything in it… the cities and all those who
live there.
17 ‘{Look!} I’ll send snakes against you to kill you, the type that have never been charmed, 18 and they’ll incurably bite you with the grief of a heart that’s perplexed. 19 {Look!} There’s the sound of the cries of the daughters of My people, from a land far away.’
Isn’t Jehovah there upon Zion, and isn’t there also a king? ‘They’ve provoked Me to rage with their carvings of idols, and by following strange worthless things.’
20 So summer has now passed, and we’ve yet to receive any harvest.
21 Over the destruction of the daughter of my people, I’m enveloped in darkness and perplexed… I’m in labor like a woman who’s ready to give birth.
22 Is there no ointment in Gilead, and are there no doctors in that place? Why can’t you bring healing to the daughter of my people?
Chapter 9
1 Who’ll provide the water for my head, and a spring of tears for my eyes, so I can cry for my people, throughout this day and this night… those being slain of the daughter of my people?
2 And who will provide me a post house in the desert? For, I’ll go away and leave all my people, because all are committing adultery, and breaking their Agreement [with God].
3 ‘Their tongues they’ve stretched tight like bows; lies and mistrust now grow in the land, for they chase after evil upon evil, and they don’t know Me,’ says Jehovah.
4 ‘Let each keep an eye on their neighbors, and they do not rely on their brothers, for their brothers will stomp them under their heels, and their friends will treat them with deceit.
5 ‘So, each one [is laughing at] his friends, 25 and in no way are they speaking the truth, for their tongues have learned to speak falsely.
‘They’re doing wrong and won’t stop to turn back. 6 They’re piling interest upon interest, as well as treachery upon treachery, for they don’t wish to behold Me,’ says Jehovah. 7 Because of this, thus says Jehovah of Armies: ‘{Look!} I’ll try them then set them on fire!
‘What else can I do before the face, of the wickedness of the daughter of My people? 8 For, their tongues are piercing like arrows, and the words from their mouths are deceitful. And though each one speaks peace to his neighbors, inside he really feels hatred.
9 ‘For such things shouldn’t I pay them a visit,’ asks Jehovah, ‘and on them bring all My vengeance?’
10 ‘[It’s time to start] mourning for the mountains, and wailing for the roads in the desert. They’re failing because there aren’t any men; they’ve not heard the sounds of birds in the sky, and the cattle have been carried away.
11 ‘I’ve assigned an evacuation for Jerusalem, and she’ll become a home for wild beasts. On the cities of Judah I’ve appointed an extinction, so they’ll no longer be lived in.
12 ‘Who is the man that’s discerning? Let him now realize this; and may the words from the mouth of Jehovah be with him… let him tell you the reasons why the land is destroyed! It’s being lit on fire like a desert, so no one will go there again.’
13 And the Lord said to me, ‘Because they’ve abandoned My Law, the one I set before their faces, and they’ve paid no attention to My voice, 14 then chased after things that were pleasing to their hearts – things that were evil and idols, that their fathers taught them to worship – 15 on account of this,’ says Jehovah of Armies (God of Israel), ‘{Look!} I will now feed them distress, and make them drink bile for their water. 16 I’ll scatter them among many nations, which neither they nor their fathers have known. I will send the sword [to rule] them, until they’re completely consumed.’
17 Then Jehovah said; ‘Call the wailing women and have them come; send for the wise women and let them speak! 18 Then let them start their lamenting! Let them bring tears to your eyes, and cause water to flow from their eyelids! 19 For in Zion this sound of lament will be heard: O, how have we come to such misery? We were very disgraced, for we abandoned our land, and threw away all our tents.’
20 Listen to this, O women, for it is the word of God! Let your ears hear the words from His mouth, then teach all your daughters this lamentation, and let every woman teach her neighbors to wail! 21 For, death has crept through your windows… it has entered your land to wipe out your young, and remove the young men from the squares. 22 Then as an example all men will die, upon the faces of the plains in your land, and like mown grass there’ll be none to collect them.’
23 Jehovah said; ‘Don’t let the wise boast of their wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength; don’t let the rich man boast of his wealth! 24 But, when he boasts let him brag about this: that he perceives Me and knows Me… that I am Jehovah, He who is merciful and fair; who judges and brings justice to the earth. And all these things that were done are My will,’ says Jehovah.
25 ‘Look! The days are coming,’ says Jehovah, ‘when all the circumcised I will visit, because of their uncircumcision; 26 those in Egypt, and Judah, and Edom; the sons of Ammon and of Moab… upon all who are shaving their faces, and all who live in the deserts. For, while the nations are uncircumcised in flesh, Israel is uncircumcised in their hearts.’
Chapter 10
1 Hear the words that Jehovah has spoken, to you O house of Israel. 2 Jehovah said: ‘Do not learn the ways of the nations, and fear not the [zodiac] signs, because they’re what is feared by the nations, 3 and the laws of the nations are a waste.’
An idol is a tree that’s cut from the woods, or it’s the work of someone’s casting [of metal]. 4 They’re adorned with silver and gold, and then nailed into place with a hammer… made stiff so they cannot move. 5 And like pieces of silver that are turned [on a lathe], they are unable to speak, and they have to be carried, for they are unable to mount up themselves.
Don’t fear them because within them, there’s no ability to do evil or good. 6 They aren’t like You, O Lord, for You are great, and great is the strength in Your Name.
7 Who won’t fear You, O king of the nations? For, to You come the wise from all nations, and among their kingdoms there’s no one like You.
8 At the same time they’re foolish and unthinking, for their trees are teachers of foolish things. 9 And it’s by the hands of the goldsmiths, that Tarshish’s silver is melded to Uphaz’s gold, and it’s all just the workings of craftsmen. 10 Then they deck them in blue and purple cloth.
11 As the result, tell them this: ‘Let these gods who made not the heavens and earth, be destroyed from the land that’s under the sky! 12 For, Jehovah is the One who made the earth, and by His strength He erected man’s home. Then in wisdom and intelligence He stretched out the sky, 13 and all the waters that are under the heavens. Then He brought the clouds from the ends of the earth, and He made the lightning and rain, and from His treasuries He brought winds.
14 He has disgraced the knowledge of all men, and every goldsmith was disgraced by the idols he’s carved. For, they’re just false [gods] that were cast in a furnace, and there is no spirit within them. 15 They are just foolish – works to be mocked – and in their time of visitation they’ll be destroyed.
16 But, this isn’t the portion of Jacob, for He who shaped all (Israel’s inheritance and scepter), is named Jehovah of Armies! 17 It is He who gathered from outside, and gave His support to living choice vessels. 18 And it’s Jehovah who says, ‘{Look!} I’ll stumble those living in this land, and squeeze them out so it can be found. 19 Woe to you, for you’ll be destroyed and your wounds will be very painful.’
And I said, ‘I have already really been wounded, and this has surely come from You. 20 My tent is in miserable condition; it was destroyed and my hide coverings pulled apart. My sons and my sheep are no more, and there are no more walled-in places for my tent, nor a place [to store] my hide coverings. 21 For, the shepherds were unwise and failed to seek Jehovah, so the sheep in their pastures were scattered and confused.’
22 {Look!} There come the report of a sound, and a great rumble from the land of the north… it’s an order to destroy all her cities… to scatter her like the nest of an ostrich.
23 I know, O Lord, that man doesn’t know the right way to go, nor can man walk a straight path. 24 So, correct us, O Lord, in fairness, and don’t send Your rage leaving us few! 25 Pour out Your rage on the nations… the kingdoms that really don’t know You, and those who don’t call on Your Name! For Jacob they devoured; Israel was completely consumed, and all his pastures lie desolate.
Chapter 11
1 These words came to JeremiJah from Jehovah. He said: 2 ‘Listen to the words of My Sacred Agreement, then [read them] to the men of Judah, and to those who are living in Jerusalem. 3 Tell them that Jehovah the God of Israel says, Cursed is the man who is disregarding, the words of this Agreement which I gave to your fathers, on the day that I led them out of Egypt… from out of that furnace of iron.
4 ‘Pay attention to My voice, and do all the things that I tell you to do, then you’ll be a people to Me, and to you I will be God. 5 Then I’ll reestablish My oath – the oath that I swore to your fathers – to give them a land that flows with milk and honey, as it does to this day.’
And I answered and said, ‘May it be, O my Lord.’
6 And Jehovah said to me, ‘Read all these words in the cities of Judah, as well as outside of Jerusalem’s [walls]. Say, Hear the words of this Sacred Agreement, and then [be careful to] do them! 7 For, we bore witness together, and I was a witness to your fathers, from the day that I led them from Egypt to this day. Rising early I served as a witness… I told them to listen to My voice! But they wouldn’t listen nor turn an ear, but each followed the evil deformities of his heart. They had agreed to the words of this Agreement, and the things I commanded to be done, 8 but thereafter refused to do them.’
9 And Jehovah said to me, ‘A conspiracy has been found among the men of Judah, and among those who live in Jerusalem! 10 For, they’ve returned to the unrighteousness of their fathers; those living before who wouldn’t listen to My words.
‘{Look!} They have followed and are serving strange gods! And those in the houses of Judah and Israel, have wiped away the Agreement that I made with their fathers! 11 And because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘{Look!} I will bring evil upon them, which they’ll be unable to remove from themselves.
‘Then they will cry out, but I will not listen. 12 And those in the cities of Judah, will [be worse] than those who live in Jerusalem; for they will cry out to their gods… those to whom they burn incense, and those who can’t save them in times of [distress]. 13 Why, you have as many gods as you have cities, O Judah, and on each street in Jerusalem you have shrines, where you burn incense to Baal.
14 ‘So, do not pray for these people… don’t beg or petition for them! For, I won’t listen whenever they call Me… in the time that they are oppressed.
15 ‘What disgusting things have been done in My [Temple], by those whom [I dearly have] loved? Will vows and holy meat remove all your evil… by these do you hope to evade all [My wrath]?
16 ‘As a pretty olive tree providing much shade, was the sight of those calling on the Name Jehovah. Then came the sound of its being chopped down, and thereafter it was lit ablaze, and all her tender branches became useless. 17 For, Jehovah of Armies is He who did the planting; the One against whom you spoke evil. Then evil came to the houses of Israel and Judah… they did it to themselves by provoking Me to anger; by their burning incense to Baal.’
18 [But I said], ‘O Lord, tell me and then I will know, for You know the things they are doing. 19 But I am just an innocent lamb, not knowing he’s being led to the sacrifice. Why, against me they have plotted and come up with a plan, saying, Come, let’s give him wood for his bread! Let’s wipe him away from the land of the living, and make sure that his name is remembered no more.
20 ‘O Lord of Armies, judge all things in fairness… put the kidneys and the hearts on trial! May I behold Your punishment on them, for I’ve shown You the right things I’ve done.’
21 It was because of this that Jehovah then replied, concerning the men of AnaThoth who were seeking my life. They were the ones that were saying, ‘No longer should you prophecy in the Name of Jehovah. And if you fail to agree, you will die by our hands!’
22 Because of this, Jehovah of Armies then said, ‘{Look!} I’ll pay a visit to them, and all their young men will die by the sword, and in a famine their sons and their daughters will [die]. 23 So none will there be left among them, for upon the inhabitants of AnaThoth I’ll bring evil, in the year of their visitation.’
Chapter 12
1 [I said], ‘You are righteous, O Lord, so before You may I now plead my case, and I’ll leave it to You to decide. Why do the ways of the irreverent work out; for all the disrespectful and wicked have prospered. 2 They were planted by You and were rooted; they produced children and they produced fruit. [It seems] You are near to their mouths, but far away from their kidneys.
3 ‘You know me, O Lord, and my heart has been tried before You. So, may they be gathered like a sacrificial flock, then purify them for the day of the slaughter.
4 ‘For how long will the land be required to mourn, and all the grass in the fields become dry, because of the evils of the [bad ones] who live here? The cattle and winged creatures have all been destroyed, for they say; God doesn’t see what we’re doing.’
5 [And God replied], ‘When your feet run they they get tired, so how can you prepare to be ridden like a horse? Why have you trusted that there’d be peace in your land, and how can you whinny for the [land of the] Jordan? 6 For, even your brothers and the house of your father, have all failed to pay attention to you… they yell at you behind your back! So, don’t trust them when they speak kind words.’
7 [And I said], ‘I have abandoned my house; I’ve forsaken my inheritance, and into the hands of her enemies, I gave the love of my life. 8 My inheritance was to me like a lion in the woods; she roared against me so I started to hate her. 9 Isn’t my inheritance the den of hyenas… isn’t [this den] her only protection? So, gather to her the wild animals of the fields, and let them go there to eat her!’
10 [And God replied], ‘ My vineyard has been destroyed by many shepherds; they’ve defiled My portion and turned what was Mine into desert, 11 so it’s purpose became destruction and extinction. And because of Me the whole land was destroyed, for there was no man who took it to heart.
12 ‘Through every mountain pass in that desert, came all those causing misery… those whom the sword of Jehovah will devour, from one end of the land to the other… there’ll be no peace for all flesh.
13 ‘You planted wheat and only thorn-bushes [grew], and they provided no benefit. So, be ashamed of all your proud words, and for speaking in scorn to Jehovah!’
14 Then the Lord said; ‘When it comes to all your wicked neighbors – those who’d [dare to] touch My inheritance, which I apportioned among Israel My people – {Look!} I will take them away from their land, and throw away Judah from their midst. 15 But after I drive them away, I will return and show mercy upon them, and resettle them in their inheritance… I’ll return each one to his land.
16 ‘And if My people should learn the right way, then swear their oaths by My Name and say, As Jehovah lives (as they taught My people to swear by Baal), then they’ll build houses among My people. 17 But if [to Me] they choose not to return, I will lift that nation away… I’ll remove them [from the land] and destroy them,’ says Jehovah.
Chapter
13
1 The Lord said, ‘Go and buy a linen loin cloth, and wrap it around your loins, but do not wash it in water.’
2 So, I acquired the loincloth, according to the word of Jehovah, and I wrapped it around my loins.
3 Then the word of Jehovah came to me a second time saying, ‘Now take off the loincloth, the one that you’ve wrapped around your loins, 4 then arise and go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole in the rocks!’
5 So, I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as Jehovah had told me to do.
6 Then after many days the Lord told me, ‘Arise! Go to the Euphrates and bring back the loincloth, the one that I told you to hide there.’
7 So, I went to the Euphrates and dug, and took the loincloth from the place that I hid it. And {Look!} it was ruined… there’s no way that it could have been used.
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me and said, 9 ‘Thus says Jehovah: Like this will I corrupt the insolence of Judah, as well as the insolence of Jerusalem… 10 this great insolence of those who don’t wish to obey Me; those who’ve followed after the wickedness in their hearts; who’ve gone after strange gods to serve them, and who’ve then bowed low before them. They will become like this loincloth, which won’t be useful for anything again. 11 For, just as this cloth hugs the loins of a man, so I have stuck by the houses of Israel, and by the house of Judah,’ says Jehovah.
‘They would have been a famous people to Me, and a reason for boasting and glory; but they paid no attention to Me. 12 So, tell those people these words… that thus says Jehovah the God of Israel: All your leather bags will be filled with wine!
And then they will then ask: Is it because we don’t know that all leather bags will be filled with wine that you’re saying this?
13 ‘And you must tell them that Jehovah says: {Look!} I’ll fill all who live in this land with strong drink… their kings (the sons of David) who sit on their thrones, and the priests, the prophets, and all Judah… as well as all those who live in Jerusalem. 14 Then I will disperse them; each man will be taken away from his brother, as well as fathers from sons. And I won’t miss them, says Jehovah. I won’t spare them or pity their ruin.’
15 Hear! Give ear, and don’t be encouraged! For this is what the Lord said: 16 ‘Give glory to Jehovah your God! 16 Give glory before it gets dark, and before your feet stumble in the darkness of the mountains, where you’ll wait for the light in the shadow of death, and then be put into darkness. 17 And if you should choose not to listen, you will weep in secret because of your pride, but there your eyes will shed tears, for the scattering of the flock of Jehovah.’
18 Then tell the king: ‘You rulers should be humble and sit down, for your crown of glory will be smashed from your heads. 19 Then the cities toward the south will be closed, and no one can open them again. Judah will be completely resettled, in a total relocation. 20 So, lift up your eyes, O Jerusalem, and see those who are coming from the north!
‘Now, where is the flock that was given to you… [where are] the sheep of your glory? 21 What will you say when [your people] come to see you, and you must teach them lessons against yourself and your rule? Won’t the pangs of labor control you, like a woman giving birth?
22 ‘And if you should ask in your hearts, Why have such things happened to us? It’s because of the magnitude of your sins, that your butts were uncovered as an example to your heels.
23 ‘If an Ethiopian could change the color of his skin, or a leopard could change all her spots, then you’d be able to do what is good, and you could learn [not to do] bad.
24 ‘This is how they will be scattered by Me: like twigs that are carried through the desert by the wind. 25 This is your portion and lot, because of the ways that you’ve resisted Me,’ says Jehovah. ‘Because; you forgot Me and hoped upon lies. 26 So, I’ll expose your bottoms to your faces, and your dishonor will be seen [by all]. 27 For, I’ve seen your snorting and adultery… your disgusting acts and your whoring, in all the hills and the fields.
‘Woe to you, O Jerusalem, for you’re too unclean to follow after Me, so how long will you [hope to survive]?’
Chapter 14
1 Then the word of Jehovah came to JeremiJah concerning the drought.
2 Judea is in mourning; her gates are now empty; and the land is enveloped in darkness, as the cries of Jerusalem ascend. 3 So, her great men send the young men for water, but when they get to the wells they find none, and they return with jars that are empty.
4 All the works in the land have now failed, because there has been no rain at all. So, the farmers are shamed and cover their heads, 5 and when the hinds in the fields now give birth, even they abandon their young, for there is too little [grass] in the fields. 6 Wild asses stand in the woods and suck wind, and for lack of grass the eyes of the beasts have all failed.
7 Because of our sins [You’ve] opposed us, O Lord, but help us because of Your Name. Because our errors are many, we [are guilty] of sins against You. 8 But You are the endurance of Israel, O Lord, our Savior in times that are bad. So, why have You become just a visitor to our land, or as one native-born who’s gone to rest? 9 Will You be like a man who is sleeping, or as One who is able to save? You have been among us, O Lord, and we are called by Your Name, so You should never forget us!
10 And the Lord said of these people, ‘They [have strayed] and spared no one, so God has not prospered their ways. And now all their sins are being remembered, and [the time has come] when He’ll visit their sins.’
11 Then the Lord told me, ‘Don’t pray for any good things for these people, 12 because even if they fast I won’t hear their prayers; and if they bring offerings and sacrifices, I still won’t think well of them. For, I’ll finish them of by the sword, and by famine and death.’
13 And I said, ‘O Great Being who is [our] Lord, our prophets have said that we won’t see a sword, nor will we ever go hungry… that You will bring peace to this land and this place.’
14 And the Lord told me, ‘The prophets who prophesy in My Name tell lies, for I didn’t send them, and I didn’t tell them what to say. So, the visions they have are all lies, and the manifestations and omens they’ve prophesied before you, are things that have come from their hearts.
15 ‘Because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘tell those prophets who prophecy falsely in My Name – those who I didn’t send: [You say] sword and famine won’t come to this land, so you prophets will die by disease, and finished off by starvation! 16 Yes, you who prophesied all these thing, will soon be racked by famine and the sword, and in Jerusalem’s streets your bodies will be tossed. There’ll be no one to bury your bodies in tombs, or those of your wives, sons, and daughters… I’ll pour upon you your own badness!’
17 Tell them this: ‘Fill your eyes with tears day and night. Don’t stop, for the daughter of My people will see defeat, and they will be horribly beaten. 18 If I should go into the fields, I’ll see those slain by the sword. And if I should enter the city, I’ll see the misery of famine. For, the priests and the prophets have entered a land they don’t know.’
19 [O Lord]; is this rejection a rejection of Judah? And from Zion has Your soul been removed? Why have You struck us and provided no healing? We’ve waited for peace but nothing good came; [we’ve waited for] healing but found just disturbance. 20 We knew, O Lord, of our sins, and of the errors of our fathers; and before You we are guilty of sin. 21 But, please back off because of Your Name! You should not destroy the throne of Your glory! Please remember – don’t won’t wipe away – Your Sacred Agreement with us!
22 Who among the nation’s idols can bring rain, and bring all its fullness from the skies? Is it not You [O great] Being… [isn’t it You] Lord our God? So, we’ll wait upon You, for it’s You who created these things!
Chapter 15
1 And the Lord said to me, ‘If you’d put SamuEl and Moses before Me, even for them My soul would not change. So, send these people away from My face, and let them [be carried away]! 2 Then if they should ask, Where will we go? You should tell them that thus says Jehovah: As many as [appointed for] death, [are the number of those who] will die; as many [as those who are appointed] to the sword, are those [who will die by] the sword; as many as are [those who are appointed to] famine, are those [who will suffer from] famine; and as many as [are those who are appointed as] captives, are those who’ll [be taken as] captives.
3 Jehovah said, ‘I will take vengeance in four different ways:
- by the sword to slaughter;
- by dogs who will rip them in pieces,
- as food for wild animals of the ground,
- and as rotting flesh for the birds in the sky.
4 ‘I’ll hand them over to many distresses… to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh king of Judah (he the son of HezekiJah), for all that he did in Jerusalem.
5 ‘Who will spare you, O Jerusalem, and who will be timid against you? Who will come saying Peace unto you? For, away from Me you have turned,’ says Jehovah. 6 ‘So, you will [have to] retreat, then I’ll stretch out My hand to destroy you… and no longer will I spare them thereafter.
7 ‘Then I’ll scatter and disperse those at the gates of My people… they’ll be made childless for destroying My [servants], 8 and because their badness keeps growing. So, their widows will lie on the sands of the sea, for to the mothers of young men I’ll bring misery… at noon I’ll give them trembling and anxiety. 9 Then she who gave birth to seven will have none. Her life will meet with misfortune, and her sun will set at midday. She’ll be disgraced and berated, for those who remain I’ll give to the sword, before their enemies,’ says Jehovah.
10 Woe to you, O mother who bore me… a man who must judge and bring justice to the earth. From this I’ve derived no benefit at all, nor has anyone helped me… my strength has failed before those who have cursed me.
11 May it be, O Jehovah Almighty, for they won’t be helped in their time of affliction, and they won’t see good from their enemies. 12 Let in be known that [You are like] iron, and Your strength is like a robe made of brass.
13 [Then the Lord replied], ‘Because of the sins within your borders, I’ll give all your treasures [to your enemies]. 14 For them I’ll reduce you to slaves; [to live] in a land you’ve not known. And a fire will soon rage among you, which will be kindled by My rage.’
15 O Lord, please don’t forget me. Come and save me from those who pursue me… please don’t hold back [Your hand]! For, because of You I’ve been scorned, 16 by those who’ve disregarded Your words. Finish them off completely, then Your words will bring gladness and joy to my heart. For, O Jehovah Almighty, I have been called by Your Name!
17 I haven’t sat in the gatherings where they mocked You, for I was cautious in front of Your hand. I sat by myself all alone, and with bitterness [my heart] was filled.
18 Why are those who bring grief [allowed to] prevail? My wounds have been so severe, and where can I go to get healing? When’s happened is as untested water to me; it’s something that I cannot trust in.
19 It’s because of this, that thus said the Lord: ‘If you should return I’ll restore you, and before My face you will stand. You must separate the esteemed from the unworthy, for you will be as My mouth. And though they may wish to return and be with you, do not return to be among them.
20 ‘To these people I will appoint you, as a fortified wall made of brass. And though they’ll wage war against you, they’ll be unable to beat you, because I’ll be there to save you… I’ll rescue you,’ says [God Jehovah]. ‘I’ll deliver you from the hands of the wicked, and ransom you from the hands of plagued men.’
Chapter 16
1 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘You must not take a wife, and don’t father sons or daughters in this place. 3 For, thus says Jehovah about the sons and the daughters, of those being fathered in this place, and concerning the mothers who give birth, and those who father them in this land: 4 They’ll die by death and disease, and not be entombed or lamented. As examples they’ll lie on the face of the ground; they’ll fall by the sword and starvation will kill all the rest. Then their corpses will serve as the food, for the wild beasts of the earth, and the birds in the sky.’
5 And the Lord told me that Jehovah says: ‘Don’t get involved in their celebrations, and with them don’t go to mourn and lament, for I have removed My peace from these people, along with My mercy and compassion.
6 ‘So, the great and the small of this land will all die, and they won’t be buried or lamented. No one will beat their chests over them; none will make cuts or shave [their heads], 7 and no way will they hold feasts in mourning. No bread will be broken to bring consolation, to those who are mourning the dead; nor will a drink be provided, to console the death of a father or mother.
8 ‘Don’t enter a home for a banquet… don’t sit down to eat or drink, 9 for thus says Jehovah the God of Israel, {Look!} Before your eyes I’ll remove them from this place, and during your [lifetime it will happen], that the sounds of joy and gladness [will be gone], as well as the voice of the bride and the groom.
10 ‘When you announce these matters to the people they’ll ask you, Why has Jehovah said these bad things against us, for what injustice have we done? How have we sinned before Jehovah our God? 11 And y