¹These are the words of God which came to JeremiAh (son of HilkiAh), a Priest who lived in AnathOth, in the land of BenJamin.²God’s words came to him in the days of JosiAh (son of AmMon) the king of Judah in the 13th year of his reign.³All of this happened from the time of JehoiAkim (son of JosiAh) the king of Judah, until the 11th year of ZedekiAh (son of JosiAh) the king of Judah – and [the beginning of] the captivity of JeruSalem, [which happened] in the 5th month.⁴The Word of Jehovah came to me and said:⁵‘I knew you before you were formed in the womb And before you came from the belly. So I chose you and I made you holy To serve as a Prophet to the nations.’⁶But I said:‘O Great Being… O Lord… O Jehovah,‘{Look!} I don’t know how to speak, for I’m just a young man.’⁷And 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 speak whatever I tell you to say! ⁸So, don’t be afraid when you go before them, Since I’m with you and I will protect you.’⁹Then the Lord stuck his hand out towards me and touched my mouth, and said:‘Look! I’m putting my words in your mouth. ¹⁰For I’ve appointed you over nations and kingdoms To root out, cut down, and set free, And then to rebuild and replant.’¹¹Thereafter, the Word of Jehovah came to me again and asked:‘What do you see now, JeremiAh?’And I said:‘I see a walnut walking stick.’¹²Then the Lord said to me:‘You are [very observant]; And I’m [watching to see if you’ll] do as I [say].’¹³Then the Word of Jehovah came to me a second time and asked:‘What do you see now?’And I replied:‘I see a kettle over a fire, and the front side of it is facing the north.’¹⁴Then the Lord said to me:‘Thus, from the face of the north, All those who are bad will be burned away From among those who live in the land. ¹⁵For, {Look!} this is what was said by Jehovah:‘From the north, I’ll be gathering kingdoms That will come, and then, they’ll each place their thrones On the thresholds of JeruSalem’s gates, And on the walls of the cities of Judah.¹⁶‘Then I’ll speak My judgments against them For all the bad things they’ve done… [I’ll speak of] how they have left Me And sacrificed to gods that they’ve never known, Then they bowed before the works of their hands.’¹⁷‘So arise and wrap up your waist, And say to them what I’ll tell you to say! Don’t be afraid when you go there, Nor be in terror before them; For, this was said by Jehovah:‘I’m with you and I will [protect] you.’¹⁸‘{Look!} So today, I’ve turned you into a fort… A fortified wall made of brass To resist Judah’s rulers and kings, And to oppose the people of your land.’¹⁹And the Lord said:‘Although they will wage war against you, There’s no way that they’ll be able to win; For I’m with you and I will [protect] you.’

¹Then the Word of Jehovah came to me again and said:²‘Go and yell in JeruSalem’s ears… Tell them that thus says Jehovah:‘I remembered the mercy you had in your youth And the love that you had for perfection When you obeyed IsraEl’s Most Holy One.’‘Yes, this was said by Jehovah, IsraEl’s Most Holy Lord. ³For, IsraEl is Holy to Jehovah, And because they are His first born, He’s offended by those who are chewing them up, And on those doing this, He’s bringing bad things.⁴‘O house of Jacob (you families of the house of IsraEl); Hear the word of Jehovah! ⁵For Jehovah is asking you this:‘What defect in Me, did your fathers find That they’d leave Me to act in this way And start following after such foolish things?⁶‘They no longer ask, ‘Where’s Jehovah… The One who led us through the desert from Egypt… Through that vast land of no water or fruit… A land through which no man can travel… A land where none can survive?’⁷‘For I led you to CarMel, where you ate its fruits, As well as its other good things… Then you entered My land and defiled it, And My inheritance, you turned into something that’s foul.⁸‘But the priests don’t ask, ‘Where’s Jehovah?’ So, those who were resisting the Law Weren’t prompted to turn back to Me. Your shepherds also showed no respect, And your prophets spoke prophecies by BaAl, So they followed after things that were worthless!⁹‘But, despite all of this, I still chose them, says Jehovah; And the sons of their sons, I’ve [accepted].¹⁰‘Now, go to the Island of Cyprus and see… Yes, send to Kedar and you’ll understand! See if the gods of those nations Have ever had any effect… Then you’ll know that they really aren’t gods!¹¹‘Yet, My people have left all their glory For things that do them no good! ¹²And by this, the heavens were amazed… [It caused them to] shudder, says Jehovah.‘To Me, My people did two wicked things:¹³• They abandoned the spring of the waters of life, • And they dug cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.¹⁴‘Is IsraEl a slave or a native-born son; For, why did he choose to be plundered? ¹⁵Now, lions are roaring before him That are ordered to wipe out his land. So his cities will be cut to the ground, Then no one can live there again!¹⁶‘The sons of Memphis and TahPanhes… Those who know you, are laughing at you! ¹⁷And this happened because you have left Me, Says Jehovah, your God.¹⁸‘Now, what are the ways of Egypt to you That you would [long for] their waters? And what are the ways of Assyria to you That you’d wish to drink from their rivers?¹⁹‘So because you’ve left Me, I’ll discipline you… For your evil ways, I will scold You… You’ll see it happen and then you will know How bitter are the ways of turning from Me, Says Jehovah, your God!²⁰‘I’ve come to think [poorly] of you,’ Says Jehovah your God. ‘For, throughout the ages, you’ve broken My yoke And you have ripped off My bonds.‘You said:‘I won’t be [Your] servant; But I’ll climb up every high hill And bow beneath every shade tree… And there is where I’ll go whoring!’²¹‘Yet I planted you to be My grapevine For the purpose of bearing the fruitage of truth. So, why did you then turn so bitter And become a grapevine that’s strange?²²‘Now, if I would wash you in lye, And if I’d use plenty of soap, You’d still be spotted in your sins before Me.²³‘How can you say you’re not dirty And that you’ve not chased after BaAl? See how you’re acting in graveyards… Yes, you know all the things that you’ve done!²⁴‘Upon desert waters, her ways have been spread, And she’s driven by the winds of desires. So to them, she’s been handed over, To turn her away from her [evil].‘Now those searching for her won’t get tired, And she will be humbled when they arrive.²⁵‘Although she should divert her feet from this path And turn her throat from this thirst, This is what she’s still saying:‘I will act like a man; So, I will chase after strangers, And with them, I will make love!’²⁶‘As a thief is shamed when he’s caught, Is how IsraEl’s sons will be shamed… Yes they, their kings, and their rulers, As well as their prophets and priests.²⁷‘For they’ve said to a tree, ‘You’re my father;’ And they’ve said to a stone, ‘You gave me life.’‘Yet, although they have all turned their backs (But not their faces) towards Me; When hard times arrive, they’ll still say:‘O Jehovah, please save us!’²⁸‘Will [your idols] still save you in difficult times, And will [you turn] to these gods that you’ve made?‘In Judah, each city now has its own gods, And in all of JeruSalem’s streets They offer sacrifices to BaAl. ²⁹So, why are you even talking to me?’‘Jehovah says:‘You’ve been irreverent and lawless towards Me, ³⁰And it’s in vain that I’ve spanked you like children; For, from My correction, you’ve failed to learn!‘So, although your prophets were devoured by swords, And although lions came and wiped them away, This hasn’t [taught you] to fear Me.³¹‘Therefore, hear the Word of Jehovah, For Jehovah is asking you this:‘To IsraEl, am I now a desert… Am I a land that’s barren to you?‘Why is it that My people say:‘Because you aren’t our Lord anymore, We’ll no longer be coming before You’?³²‘Will the bride forget her tiara, And will virgins forget the bands for their breasts? Yet, I’ve been forgotten by you Through too many days to be counted.³³‘What good can you make of your ways, So that you can seek [My] affection again? It just won’t do any good, Because you’ve made yourselves wicked.‘All of your ways are now dirty, And innocent blood is found in your hands. ³⁴No, I don’t find [their bodies] in ditches, But [hanging] from every [tall] tree. ³⁵Yet you still say, I’m not guilty… So, please turn back You rage!‘{Look!} I’m the One who’s passing judgment on you When you say that you have not sinned! ³⁶And for you, I’ve come to feel great disdain Because of the things that you’re doing.‘Therefore, by Egypt, you will be disgraced, As Assyria has disgraced you before. ³⁷You’ll be taken from here with your hands on your heads, For Jehovah has thrust you away… And then, none of your hopes will succeed.’

¹‘If a man releases his woman And she [then moves in with] another… Then, if she thereafter [also leaves him], Can she return [to first one] again? For, once she has been defiled, Isn’t she always defiled?‘Yet, after [you’ve had] many shepherds, You want to come back to Me, said Jehovah. ²So now, raise your eyes to see the right way… See how you’ve been defiled!‘For you sat by the road [and waited] for them Alone and defiled like a crow In this land of your evil and whoring.³‘You’ve stumbled and had many shepherds, And because you looked like a whore, You have brought shame on them all.⁴‘Yet, didn’t you call Me [your] Father… The One who founded your virgin condition! ⁵[And wasn’t it you who once said], Throughout the age, I’ll still be a virgin… I’ll guard this state ‘til I’ve won? {Look!} Yet, although you made such a vow, You went and did this vile thing!’⁶Well, it was during the days of King JosiAh that the Lord came and said this to me:‘You saw what the house of IsraEl has done… For she’s climbed upon every high mountain And crawled under every tree in the woods, And there, she’s committing [adultery].⁷‘Then, after she does all her whoring; Although I’ve told her to turn from this badness, She still refuses to stop.‘So when I saw that Judah had broken [her vows]; ⁸I knew that in order to benefit all, I had to stand up [for what’s right].‘For the house of IsraEl fell into seduction, And then she committed adultery. So with a certificate of divorce I sent her away.‘But the [vow]-breaker Judah wasn’t bothered by this, And she continued in her whoring ways. ⁹For, whoring was nothing to her… She even did it with wood and stone things… ¹⁰Her heart refused to turn back, And all she offered was lies.’¹¹Then the Lord said this to me:‘Even IsraEl was better than this [vow]-breaker Judah; ¹²So, go to the north and then read these words… Tell [those in the north] that thus says Jehovah:‘O house of IsraEl, if you’ll come back to Me, Against you, I’ll not set My face… I will show mercy upon you, says Jehovah, And throughout the age, I won’t be outraged.¹³‘Just be aware of your sins! For you’ve shown disrespect to Jehovah your God… [Your love] you’ve given to strangers Beneath every tree in the woods, And you chose not to do what I said, says Jehovah.¹⁴‘So return, you sons who’ve revolted, says God, And I’ll be your Lord once again. I’ll choose one man from each city, And I will choose two from each family; Then, I will take them to Zion ¹⁵And appoint these ones whom My heart has chosen To serve as shepherds for you, And with higher knowledge, they’ll watch over you.¹⁶‘Then, as you grow and spread in the land, says Jehovah; In those days, they’ll not speak anymore Of IsraEl’s Holy Chest of the Sacred Agreement… No, it won’t come into their hearts… It won’t be named or examined… This won’t be done anymore!¹⁷‘For, in those days and during that time, JeruSalem will everafter be known As the place of the Throne of Jehovah, And it’s where all the nations will gather With no wicked thoughts in their hearts.¹⁸‘And in those days, the houses of IsraEl and Judah Will become one [nation] again. They’ll be gathered from the lands of the north To the place that I gave to their fathers.’¹⁹Well at that, I shouted:‘May it happen, O Lord!‘For You told me that You will let me have children again, and that I will receive a choice piece of land… The inheritance of the Almighty God… [The God] that will be over all the nations! Yes, Father; you’ve called me, and now I’ll never turn away from You!’²⁰But the Lord said:‘The house of IsraEl has left me, Like a woman who’s rejected her man. ²¹And for this, her lips will thereafter weep.‘So, tell IsraEl’s sons to turn back and beg, Because their ways have led them to sin, And they’ve forgotten their Most Holy God. ²²So sons; it is time to turn back… Turn back and I’ll heal your broken condition!’[And I said]:‘Look… That’s how we’ll be with You then, for You are our God Jehovah, ²³and all the powers of the hills and mountains are really the powers of our Lord… Our God who is IsraEl’s Savior!²⁴‘However, the efforts of our fathers have been eaten away by shame since the time of their youth, and now all their calves and sheep (their sons and daughters) ²⁵go to bed in shame and they’re covered by their dishonor. Yes, like our fathers, we have sinned before God from the time of our youth down to this day, and we’ve failed to pay attention to the voice of our God Jehovah!’

¹Then the Lord said:‘If IsraEl should [choose to] return, I’ll also turn back to them. If they’ll wash the disgusting things from their mouths… If they’ll show that they will respect me, ²And if they’ll swear ‘As Jehovah is living’ in oaths; I’ll bless them with equity, justice, and truth. Then the rest of the nations will praise them, And in JeruSalem, all will praise God.³‘So to the men of Judah and JeruSalem Jehovah gave these instructions:‘Prepare your [hearts]… Yes, get them ready to plow… Don’t allow thorn bushes to grow here again!’⁴‘O men of Judah and JeruSalem,‘Circumcise yourselves to your God… Snip the hardness out of your hearts So He doesn’t send the fire of His rage… [A fire] that can’t be extinguished Because of the bad things you’re doing!⁵‘Announce [this message] to Judah, And let them hear it in JeruSalem:‘Blow trumpets throughout the whole land, And then, cry out in loud voices!’⁶‘Say:‘All should gather inside the walled cities… Gather your things and run to Mount Zion! Do this quickly, don’t wait, For from the north, bad things will arrive… A terrible destruction is heading your way!’⁷‘Now the lion has come from his lair, And he is wiping out nations. He’s arisen and now he’s come from his place To desolate lands and destroy them!‘So your cities will all be demolished, And you’ll no longer be living within them. ⁸Because of this, put on sackcloth… Yes, be sad, and then start to bawl! For the anger and rage of Jehovah Will not be diverted from you.⁹‘And in that day,’ said the Lord, ‘There’ll be no heart in the king… The hearts of the rulers and priests will be shocked And the prophets will all be confused.’¹⁰Then I replied:‘O Almighty Lord,‘You must surely be joking… Aren’t you misleading these people? Aren’t you saying that there’ll really be peace for JeruSalem and that the sword won’t be coming into our lives?’¹¹[But He replied]:‘At that time, I’ll say to these people (To those who live in JeruSalem):‘An addiction to delusions has come from the desert; For the ways of the daughters of my people Can no longer be thought of as pure… None have kept themselves holy. ¹²So the spirit of fulfillment is coming from me, And I’m now speaking judgments against them.¹³‘Look! Like a cloud, someone has arisen Whose chariots are sending out blasts, And whose horses are lighter than eagles. So woe, for misery is headed your way!¹⁴‘Therefore, O JeruSalem,‘Rinse the evil out of your hearts So that somehow, you might be saved! For, how long did you think you can do all those things That are [the root] of your [problems]?¹⁵‘So from Dan, you’ll start hearing voices, And from Ephraim will come misery.¹⁶‘{Look!} Remind your nation of this, And shout this aloud in JeruSalem:‘From a far-away land will come an alliance That’s speaking against the cities of Judah!’¹⁷‘For Jehovah had told me this:‘They’ll [camp] around her and guard all her fields Because I’ve been neglected by you. ¹⁸It’s because of your [bad] ways and [evil] deeds That they are coming against you… Because your evil is now so bitter That it has reached into your hearts!¹⁹‘This [thought] brings pain to My belly… It causes My heart to feel spasms and ache… But My Soul has been forced to take action!²⁰‘So, since I’ll no longer stay silent, My Soul now hears trumpet blasts And the cries of misery and war.‘This conflict is something that’s called for, And misery will come to your land. For, you have abandoned My Tent, And its covering of skins you have parted.²¹‘Why must I watch [people] fleeing And hear the blowing of trumpets? ²²Yet, this will all happen because, The leaders of My people don’t know Me… They’ve become undiscerning, foolish sons… They’re just wise when it comes to doing what’s bad, And they don’t remember how to do what is good.’²³Well at that, I looked down at the ground and I couldn’t see anything, then I looked up into the sky, and its lights weren’t there. ²⁴I also noticed that the mountains were shaking and all the hills were being disturbed. ²⁵So I looked around and I couldn’t see anyone, for even the birds in the skies had been frightened away. Then I noticed that CarMel was bare and all of its cities were burning… They had been set on fire by the face of Jehovah! ²⁶For, due to His anger and rage, He had removed them from His view.²⁷And at that, the Lord said:‘Although the whole land will soon lie in ruins; No way will it all be destroyed.²⁸‘But the land should now start to mourn, Because the skies above will grow dark… I’ve spoken, and I won’t change my mind. No I won’t be dissuaded… It will happen!²⁹‘So from the sounds of horsemen with tightly stretched bows, In every place, they will run… They’ll hide in caves and in sacred groves… Down among rocks, they’ll descend. Then their cities will all be abandoned… No one will be living there.³⁰‘So now, what will they do… Will they wrap themselves in scarlet and gold? If they rub antimony on their eyelids, It will all be in vain! For, although they may dress in their finest of clothes, Their lovers have already pushed them away… And now they are seeking their lives!³¹‘So I hear the sounds of a woman in labor And the moans of one who is giving first birth. But the voice of the daughter of Zion grows faint, And her hands grow weak as she says:‘Woe to me, for my life has now failed And I am being destroyed!’

¹‘Now, run through JeruSalem’s streets… Yes, seek and search in her squares… See if you can find just one righteous man… A single trustworthy person. Then to such a one, I’ll be kind,’ said the Lord.²‘As Jehovah lives, they often say, But, when they swear oaths, aren’t they lying?’³[And I, Jeremiah, said:],‘O Jehovah,‘Your eyes have searched for those who are true; But, when You whipped them, they felt no pain… Even when You brought destruction on them, They had still failed to learn… Their faces remained as solid as rocks, And they refused to turn back to You.⁴‘But perhaps it’s only the poor Who don’t understand the ways of the Lord, Or comprehend the fairness of God. ⁵So I’ll go and speak to the wealthy… For they’ll recognize the ways of the Lord And [trust in] the fairness of God.‘But look! Together, they’ve broken their yokes And they have torn off their bonds. ⁶And because of this, lions have attacked… Then, out of the woods came a wolf, Which entered their homes and [consumed] them, As leopards kept watch in their cities.‘That’s how those who leave Him are hunted, Since none have shown Him respect, And their rejection [of God] has grown worse.’⁷[And the Lord said]:‘What sort of kindness should they expect Now that their sons have all left me? Because they swear oaths by those who aren’t gods, I’ve become filled with [their disrespect]. For they’re even committing adultery, And whores find rest in their homes!⁸‘Like horses, they snort and are sex crazed… Each one for the wife of his neighbor. ⁹So for this, shouldn’t I come to visit?’ ...asked the Lord, ‘Shouldn’t my soul now take vengeance Upon a nation that’s acting this way?¹⁰‘So her battle towers, they will scale, And they’ll knock them down until none remain… Yes, these are the ones who will do it! They’ll destroy everything that supports them, For [their badness] didn’t come from Jehovah!¹¹‘Jehovah says:‘They have not shown Me any respect… Not the houses of IsraEl or of Judah. ¹²And about their Lord, they have lied; For they’ve said:‘These things will not happen… What’s bad won’t really come upon us… Neither famine nor sword will we see.¹³‘For [His] Prophets are really just windbags, And they don’t [speak] the word of Jehovah; So it will happen to them, not to us!’¹⁴‘But because of this, says Jehovah the Almighty… Because you have said all these things, I’ve put My words like flames in your mouths, And they’ll consume you like wood [on a fire]!’¹⁵‘O house of IsraEl, pay attention: For, from a far-away land I’m bringing a nation against you,’ said the Lord, ‘Which speaks a tongue that you won’t understand.¹⁶‘The quivers of their mighty are like open tombs, ¹⁷And they’ll consume your harvests and bread, As well as your sons and your daughters.‘They’ll eat your sheep and your calves… They’ll devour your vineyards and fig groves, As well as all of your olives. They’ll thresh your fortified cities with swords (Those places that you have relied on).¹⁸‘And in that day,’ said the Lord; ‘God won’t allow you to come to fulfillment. ¹⁹And when you ask why this happened, Jehovah will give this reply:‘I did it because you have left Me And served strange gods in My land. So, you will now have to serve strangers In a land that is no longer yours.’²⁰‘So, to the house of Jacob, announce all these things, And let it be heard throughout Judah:²¹‘Pay attention, you foolish and heartless… You who have eyes that can’t see, And you who have ears that can’t hear.²²‘Why have you failed to show fear, And not bowed to your faces before Me? For, I’m the One who ordered the sands To be the limits of the seas! It’s the order [that I gave] throughout the ages That the seas cannot go beyond them… Its [waves] may never disturb them… No way can they ever defeat them. So, no matter how great the waves roar, They can’t pass beyond the limits I’ve set.²³‘But these people have hearts that don’t listen, So they continue to resist My persuasion… They’ve turned aside and they’ve left [Me]! ²⁴‘They haven’t said in their hearts:‘We should fear Jehovah our God… The One who gives rain in its seasons (Both the early and late rains), And that orders full harvests for us!’²⁵‘But, by your lawless deeds, you have turned from these things… By your sins, you’ve removed what’s good from yourselves. ²⁶For among My own people, the godless are found… Those who set snares to corrupt other men, As they devise plans to do evil.²⁷‘As a trap is set to catch many birds… With treachery, their homes are now filled. And because of this, they are famous and rich… They have grown fat on injustice! ²⁸The side of orphans, they never take, And they don’t give justice to widows.²⁹‘Am I not watching such things,’ asks Jehovah? Won’t My soul bring vengeance upon them?³⁰‘So, this is why things have changed… This is why they’ll shudder throughout the whole land! ³¹For their prophets now prophesy lies As their priests are applauding and clapping their hands. So, since this is what My people have loved, I must now do this bad thing!’

¹‘O sons of BenJamin, be strong There in JeruSalem’s midst. But, you should start blowing your trumpets… From the House in the Vineyards, sound the alarm! For, bad things now loom in the north, And a great destruction is headed your way!²‘O you daughter of Zion; Your haughty ways will soon be removed! ³For to you, will come shepherds and flocks That will pitch their tents all around you, And there, each one will tend his own lot.⁴[‘They’ll say:]‘Get ready to wage war against her… Arise, and we will attack her at noon! But, woe to us, for the day is now gone And the shadows of daylight have failed. ⁵So, let’s get up and attack her at night, Then wipe her to her foundations!’⁶‘For, thus says Jehovah of Armies:‘Cut down all of her trees… Against that city of liars, send troops… Complete your tyranny against her!⁷‘Just like the cool taste of well water, You must cool off her evil. Since disrespect and misery are in her, Throw it back in her face!⁸‘O you [who live] in JeruSalem; In misery, with whips, you’ll be lashed, But My soul won’t totally leave you… I won’t make you a land that is no longer walked And which won’t be lived in again.’⁹‘For, thus says Jehovah of Armies:‘Glean them as you’d glean grapes (Those few who’ll be left in IsraEl)… Return as the picker returns to his [vines]!¹⁰‘To whom should I be saying these things… Yes, whom can I tell that will listen? {Look!} For, because their ears are uncircumcised, They are unable to hear. And since, Jehovah’s words are something they scorn, {Look!} They’ll be unwilling to listen!¹¹[‘Jehovah says:]‘But although I waited, My rage wasn’t filled, And I didn’t completely finish them off… So I’ll pour it out on their children And upon their groups of young men.‘Their women and men will be taken away Along with the elders and those who’ve lived many days. ¹²Then their houses will be given to others, Along with their women and fields.’‘Jehovah says:‘Against all in this land, I’ll stretch out My hand… ¹³Against all from the small to the great… All those who are filled with their own lawless ways.‘For their priests and all their false prophets Have each acted in falsehood. ¹⁴And although they claim to bring healing, They are just bringing contempt. They also claim there is peace… But, where indeed is this peace?¹⁵‘So now they’ll be shamed, because they have failed. But, even though they’ll be disgraced, They’ll refuse to accept their dishonor. And because of this, they will fall… They’ll perish when I come to visit,’ says Jehovah.¹⁶‘And Jehovah said:‘Now, stand in the roads and behold… [Consider the] paths of the ages; Then, choose the best road and travel that way As you search for ways to clean up your lives!‘But because you have said, ‘We won’t go,’ ¹⁷I’m appointing watchmen for you, And you must listen for the sounds of their trumpets!‘But, although you’ll say, ‘We won’t listen,’ ¹⁸The nations [that are coming] will listen, As will those who are tending their flocks.¹⁹‘O land, pay attention and look, For I’m bringing what’s bad on your people… It’s the fruitage of their rejection [of Me]. For, because they’ve ignored My words and My Laws, I have pushed them away.²⁰‘Why offer frankincense from SheBa to Me, And cinnamon from far away lands? For, your whole burnt-offerings, I will not accept, Since your sacrifices delight Me no more.²¹‘Because of this,’ says Jehovah, ‘Upon them, I’m bringing a weakness… Yes, fathers and sons will be weak, And their neighbors and loved ones will die.’²²‘Then Jehovah said:‘{Look!} From the north, a people are coming Who’ll awaken the nations to the ends of the earth… ²³They’ll come with their spears and their bows, And on you, they will not show mercy.‘Their sounds are like the roar of the sea, And with horses and chariots, they will attack… They’ll bring the fire of war against you, O you daughters of Zion.’²⁴About them, we have heard the reports, And the things that we’ve heard have made our hands weak… Anguish has grabbed hold of us Like the pangs of a woman about to give birth!²⁵So, don’t go out to the fields, And do not walk on the roads, For they’re filled with enemies who are carrying swords![And the Lord continues:]‘So, you daughters of My people; [It’s time for you] to wear sackcloth… Strew ashes and mourn for your loved ones, ²⁶And in pity for yourselves, beat your breasts; For misery will suddenly come upon you.²⁷‘Among you (you people on trial), I’ve appointed someone who’ll judge you; And as you’re tried, you’ll know I’m the One Who is judging your ways.²⁸‘Yet, none have been willing to listen, Because they all walk crooked paths… They’re corrupted like brass touching iron.²⁹‘Because the forge bellows have failed, It’s in vain that the smith works his silver; For their wicked ways will not melt.³⁰‘So, call out and tell them That their silver has all been rejected… Yes, they’ve been rejected by [God].’

¹Then the Word of Jehovah came to JeremiAh and said:‘Go stand at the gate of [the Temple], And against them, you must read these words:²‘O Judah, ‘Hear the Word of Jehovah, For Jehovah of Armies (the God of IsraEl) says this:³‘If you’ll set right the things that you’re doing, And if you’ll choose to straighten your paths, I’ll settle you here in this place.⁴‘But you can’t rely on your lies anymore; For they’ll be no help when you’re shouting:‘O the Temple of Jehovah! O the Temple of [God]!’⁵‘You must change your deeds and your ways, And get yourselves straightened out. Each man must start being fair with his neighbors, ⁶As well as with foreigners, orphans, and widows.⁷‘[No, you] may no longer be tyrants… Innocent blood, don’t shed in this place… And stop chasing after strange gods!‘Then, [when you remove all this] badness, I’ll bring you back to this land once again That I gave to your fathers throughout the ages.⁸‘But now, you are trusting in words that are lies And which will do you no good. ⁹You commit adultery, murder, and steal, And when you swear oaths, you are lying! You also burn incense to BaAl, And follow strange gods that you’ve never known.¹⁰‘So, although there’s just badness within you, You still come and stand before Me In the [Temple] that’s called by My Name, And then dare to say, We are clean.¹¹‘Hasn’t My House that’s standing before you And which is called by My Name Become just a den of thieves? Look… This is what I have seen,’ says Jehovah...¹²‘Go to My old place in ShiLoh Where I camped and placed My Name long ago, And see what I did because of their badness Before the faces of IsraEl, My people!¹³‘Now, because you are doing these things About which I warned you, but you failed to hear… The things that I shouted before you, But to which, you failed to change; ¹⁴I’ll do the same thing to this [Temple]… The one that is called by My Name, And upon which you have relied… The Place that I gave to your fathers and you.‘Yes, I’ll do the same as I did to ShiLoh… ¹⁵I’ll throw you away from My face Like I cast off your brothers (Ephraim’s offspring)!¹⁶‘Now, you must not pray for these people… But don’t come and petition for mercy, Nor approach Me with vows on their behalf… For, I will not listen to you! ¹⁷‘Don’t you see the things that they’re doing In all the cities of Judah And in JeruSalem’s streets?¹⁸‘The sons go out to gather the wood, So their fathers can then light the fires [To bake] the dough that their women knead As cakes for the armies of the heavens.‘They offer drinks to strange gods, So they can provoke Me to rage… ¹⁹Don’t they provoke Me to rage,’ asks Jehovah? But, shouldn’t they be the ones who’re provoked By the disgrace on their faces?²⁰‘It’s because of this,’ says Jehovah, That I’ll pour out My anger and rage on this Place… Upon the men and their cattle… Upon every tree in their fields, As well as on the land’s produce. This fire has been lit and it won’t be put out!²¹‘Jehovah said:‘Gather up all your burnt-offerings, As well as your other sacrifices, Then go on and just eat all the meats!²²‘For on the day that I led them from Egypt, I didn’t ask your fathers to offer such things… I didn’t really tell them to bring Me Whole burnt offerings or other sacrifices.²³‘The only instructions that I gave them Was to pay attention to the things that I say! For you’ll be My people and I’ll be your God As long as you walk in My ways And do whatever I tell you is good!²⁴‘But, they didn’t listen to Me, And their ears just paid no attention… They followed the evil thoughts in their hearts And became the butt not the head From the day that their fathers left Egypt ‘til now.²⁵‘So I sent them My servants the Prophets Morning after morning and day after day. ²⁶But they still didn’t listen to Me… Their ears just paid no attention, And then they made their necks stiffer… Yes, harder than those of their fathers.²⁷‘So, go and tell them these things, But they won’t listen to you… Yes, call out to them, but they won’t respond.²⁸‘Go tell them that theirs is the nation That refused to hear the voice of its God… They failed to believe or give heed To the instructions that came from [My] mouth.’²⁹‘So, shear your [hair] and throw it away, Then let your lips start to wail; For Jehovah has rejected and pushed away The generation that has done all these things!³⁰‘For, Jehovah says:‘The sons of Judah are wicked before Me, Since they’ve brought disgusting things to My House And defiled the Place that is called by My Name.³¹‘They’ve built a shrine of Topheth for themselves There in the Valley of Hinnom Where they burn their sons and daughters in fire… Something that I never told them to do Or ever came into My heart.’³²‘Jehovah says:‘{Look!} Because they’ve done this, the days have arrived When, from the Valley of Hinnom’s sons And the Shrine that they [built there to] Topheth, Nothing more will ever be heard.‘For their valley will soon be destroyed And Topheth will thereafter be buried, Since his place will no longer exist.³³‘His people will also be dead, And they’ll serve as food for the birds in the skies, As well as for the wild beasts on the ground, Since no one will come to chase them away.³⁴‘From the cities of Judah, I’ll take them, And I’ll remove them from JeruSalem’s streets. Then all the sounds of joy will be gone, And the voices of brides and grooms won’t be heard; For the land will become desolation.’

¹‘Then, during that time,’ says Jehovah, Within the graveyards of JeruSalem, They’ll dig up the bones of Judah’s kings, As well as the bones of its rulers, Along with the bones of its Prophets and Priests, And the bones of the rest of the people, ²And let them dry under the sun… Yes, under the moon and the stars, Beneath the armies of the heavens That they have served and so loved… Those whom they worshiped and followed, And those before whom they have bowed.‘Thereafter, they will not be lamented, Nor will their bones be returned to their tombs… ³They’ll just lie on the ground as examples… For, rather than life, they chose death. Then, all that remain of those generations Will be laid wherever I choose.’⁴‘Then Jehovah asked:Will the fallen not be resurrected… Will those who rebelled not return?⁵‘Why did they choose My rejection And hold so firmly to their resolve… Why didn’t they wish to [live once again]?⁶‘So give ear and pay close attention; For, since they’re not being told what is right, None have repented their badness, Nor have they asked what they have done wrong… They’ve just stopped running the race Like a horse that’s snorting and covered with sweat.’⁷‘Well, storks in the skies know their time, As do swallows and doves in the fields… Even sparrows keep watch for their end. Yet, my people do not understand The judgments that Jehovah has made.⁸‘So, how can they say, ‘We are wise, And we have the Law of Jehovah?’ For, all the lies that are written By the quills of their scribes are in vain!⁹‘[Jehovah continues:]‘Now the wise are frightened and shamed Because they’ve rejected My Word… So what wisdom do they truly have?¹⁰‘For I’ll give their women to other men, And I’ll leave their fields to other men’s heirs. Since, from the small to the great, They have chased after money; And from prophets to priests, they’ve all lied!¹¹‘They’ve dishonored the daughters of My people, And they shout, ‘Peace! Peace!’ when there’s really no peace!¹²‘So, by the disgusting things that they’re doing, They have brought shame on themselves… Yet they’re not ashamed of their shame… They refuse to know any shame!‘And because of this, they will fall Along with the rest that will fall… In the time of My visit, they’ll fall,’ says Jehovah. ¹³And they will reap what they’ve [sown].’‘Now, there are no grapes on the vines, And there are no figs on their trees… Even the leaves have dropped off.¹⁴‘So, why are you just sitting there… You should flee to the fortified cities! But there, you will be turned away, Because your God has disowned you.‘Then, bile you’ll be given for water, Because you have sinned against [God]. ¹⁵And although you will gather for peace, You will not receive any peace… Just worry when you really need healing.¹⁶‘Then from Dan, you’ll hear sounds of swift horses (The sounds of snorting and those riding steeds)… So many that the ground will be shaken.‘They’ll come here and eat up your land Along with everything in it… The cities and all those who dwell there.¹⁷‘{Look!} I’ll send snakes against you to kill you (The types that have never been charmed). ¹⁸Then, they will incurably bite you, Adding grief to hearts already disturbed.¹⁹[And Jehovah says:]‘Look! Hear these cries of the daughters of My people, Which will come from far-away lands:‘Isn’t Jehovah on Zion… Don’t we have a king anymore?’‘But, they’ve provoked Me to rage With their carvings of idols, And by following many strange, worthless things.’²⁰Now, although summer has already passed, We’ve not received any harvest. ²¹And about the destruction of the daughters of my people, I’m perplexed and swallowed by darkness… I’m in labor like a woman about to give birth.²²For in GileAd, there aren’t any ointments, Nor do they have any doctors. So the daughters of my people will never be healed.

¹Who’ll provide enough water to come from my head And feed the springs of tears from my eyes, So that, day and night I can cry for my people, And for the daughters of those who’ll be slain?²Who’ll provide me a hut in the desert Where I can escape from them all? For, they are committing ‘adultery,’ And they’re breaking their Sacred Agreement [with God].³[And Jehovah says:]‘Their tongues are stretched tight like bows, As lies and mistrust increase in the land; For, evil after evil is what they pursue, And they no longer know Me,’ said Jehovah.⁴‘So each man must keep watch on his neighbor And not rely on even his brother; For their brothers will stomp them under their heels And their friends will [try to] deceive them.⁵‘Now, they all [laugh at] their friends And no way do they tell them the truth. Since their tongues have learned to speak lies, They do whatever is wrong, And they feel no sorrow for the bad things they do.⁶‘They’re compounding interest on interest And treachery upon treachery; For they no longer wish to behold Me,’ says [God].⁷‘Because of this,’ says Jehovah of Armies; ‘{Look!} I’ll judge them and set them on fire! For, what else can I possibly do In the face of these wicked ways Being done by the daughters of My people?⁸‘Their tongues are piercing like arrows, And the words from their mouths are deceitful. Although each one speaks peace to his neighbors; Inside, they really feel hatred.⁹‘So, shouldn’t I pay them a visit,’ asks Jehovah, ‘And bring My vengeance upon them?’¹⁰‘[Thus, it’s time to] mourn for the mountains, And time to wail for their desert roads… They’re failing, because there aren’t enough men, And they no longer hear sounds from the birds in the skies… Why, even the cattle are gone!¹¹‘Evacuation is coming to JeruSalem, And she’ll become a home for wild beasts. I’ve appointed extinction to the cities of Judah, And they will no longer be lived in.’¹²‘Now, who is the man who’s discerning? Let him recognize this… May the words of Jehovah be with him So he can tell you the reasons Why this land is being destroyed… Being burned away into a desert Where no one will thereafter live.¹³‘So Jehovah said:‘Because they’ve abandoned My Law That I set in front of their faces, And they’ve paid no attention to My voice ¹⁴As they chase after things that pleasure their hearts (Things that are evil and idols, Which their fathers had taught them to worship)… ¹⁵On account of this,’ says IsraEl’s God (Jehovah of Armies is His Name); ‘{Look!} Upon distress, I will feed them, And I’ll make them drink bile for their water.¹⁶‘They’ll be scattered among many nations That they and their fathers have never known; For against them, I’m sending the sword Until they’re completely consumed.’¹⁷‘Then Jehovah said:‘You should call for the women who wail… Yes, shout and tell them to come! Send for all the wise women And tell them that this is their time to speak out.’¹⁸‘So, they should start their lamenting And really bring tears to their eyes… Cause water to flow from their eyelids! ¹⁹For in Zion, this dirge will be heard:‘How have we come to such misery? We’re disgraced, for our land is abandoned And our tents have been thrown away!²⁰‘Yes, listen to this, O you women; For, these are the words of your God! Let your ears hear the words from His mouth, Then teach this lament to your daughters… Let each one teach her neighbors to wail!²¹‘For, death has crept in through your windows… It has come to your land to wipe out your young And remove the young men from your squares.²²‘Then your men must die on the face of the plains, To set an example for those in your land; And just like grass that’s been mowed, None will go out to collect them.²³‘Then Jehovah said:‘Don’t let the wise boast of their wisdom… Don’t let the mighty boast of their strength… Don’t let the rich boast of their wealth! ²⁴For when they boast, let them brag about this: That they perceive Me and know Me… That they know of My mercy and fairness, And that I’ve judged this land to bring justice… So these things being done, are My will,’ says Jehovah.²⁵‘{Look!} For the days are coming,’ says Jehovah, ‘When I’ll visit the uncircumcised, As well as the circumcised of Edom ²⁶(Those in Judah, Egypt, and Edom; The sons of AmMon and MoAb… All those who are shaving their faces And those who live in the deserts). For although the flesh of the nations is uncircumcised, In their hearts, IsraEl is uncircumcised too.’

¹‘O house of IsraEl; listen to the Word of Jehovah! ²‘Don’t learn the ways of the gentiles And don’t [follow] the [zodiac] signs… These things that are feared by the nations, ³For the customs of the nations are worthless!‘An idol is a tree that they’ve cut from the woods, Or it’s something that someone has cast [in a mold]. ⁴They adorn them with silver and gold, And nail them in place with a hammer… They [nail them tight] so they cannot move.⁵‘But they’re just carved pieces of silver… So, they are unable to speak, And they also have to be carried, For they can’t lift themselves into place!‘Thus, there is no reason to fear them, For nothing in them can do bad or good. ⁶They aren’t like You, O Jehovah; For You’re great… And great is the strength of Your Name.⁷‘Who won’t fear You, O King of the Nations? For to You come the wise from all lands; Because, in each of their kingdoms, They have no gods that are like You. ⁸[For their idols] are foolish and thoughtless, Since trees can just teach foolish things.⁹‘It’s by the hands of skilled goldsmiths That silver from TarShish is melded Into gold that comes from Uphaz… But it’s all just the workings of craftsmen! ¹⁰Then they deck those things in purple and blue.¹¹‘As a result, tell them this:‘Let these gods that didn’t make the skies or the ground Be destroyed from all lands under heaven! ¹²For, it was Jehovah who made the earth… By His might, He erected man’s home. Then, in His intelligence and wisdom, Above it, He stretched out the heavens.¹³‘He gathers all the waters under the skies And [assembles] the clouds to the ends of the earth. He made the lightning and rain, And from His treasuries, He brings forth the winds.¹⁴‘The knowledge of men, He disgraces; And goldsmiths are shamed by the idols they carve. For false gods are just cast in ovens, And there is no spirit within them.¹⁵‘They are foolish works that are made to be mocked; And in that time [when God] comes to visit, They will all be destroyed.¹⁶‘But this isn’t the portion of Jacob; For the One who shaped everything (IsraEl’s inheritance and scepter) Is named Jehovah of Armies! ¹⁷And from the [nations], He will gather supporters Who will dwell among His elected.’¹⁸Then the Lord said:‘{Look!} I’ll stumble those who live in this land, And squeeze them to [show all that they’ve done]. ¹⁹So, woe to you, for you’ll be destroyed, And your wounds will be very painful.’Then I said:‘But I’ve already been wounded… And this has surely come from you! ²⁰For my tent is in such a miserable condition that it is almost totally destroyed… Its coverings of skins have been ripped apart, my sons and my sheep are all gone, there are no walls for my tent, and I have no place to store its leather! ²¹Even my shepherds have been acting stupidly. For since they’ve also failed to search for Jehovah, they’ve allowed all of my sheep to be scattered and confused in their pastures.²²‘{Look!} We’ve received a report that the sounds of great shaking can be heard from the land in the north, and that orders have been given to wipe out our cities… To scatter us like the nest of an ostrich!²³But I know, O Lord, that our people don’t know the right way to go, and we don’t even know how to walk a straight path. ²⁴So, correct us in fairness, O Lord… Don’t send your rage and allow only a few of us to remain! ²⁵Pour out your rage on the nations [instead]… On those kingdoms that really don’t know you, and on those who don’t call on [God’s] Name. For IsraEl has already been completely consumed, all of our pastures lie desolate, and now they’re getting ready to come and consume the rest of Jacob!’

¹Then these words came to JeremiAh from the Lord. He said:²‘Listen to these words about [God’s] Sacred Agreement, And then read them to the people of Judah, As well as to those in JeruSalem. ³This is what IsraEl’s God Jehovah declared:‘Cursed is the man who pays no regard To the words of the Sacred Agreement That I made with your fathers On the day that I led them from Egypt… From out of that furnace of iron.⁴‘If you’ll pay close attention to My voice And do all the things that I tell you to do, You’ll be My people and I’ll be your God. ⁵I’ll reestablish My oath (The oath that I swore to your fathers) To give them this land of honey and milk That has flowed to them to this day.’And I replied:‘May it be so, O my Lord.’⁶And the Lord said to me:‘Read these words in the cities of Judah And at JeruSalem’s [gates]. Then, tell them to pay close attention To the words of the Sacred Agreement, And be sure to obey them!⁷‘For, we bore witness together, And I’ve testified to your fathers From the day that I led them from Egypt Down to this very day… I came to them early each morning In order to witness to them. I told them to hear the words of my voice! But, they wouldn’t listen or turn an ear… They just followed the bad thoughts in their hearts.‘Although they agreed to the words of this Contract And to the things that I said they must do; ⁸Thereafter, they just didn’t do them.⁹‘So, because of this, tell them that thus says Jehovah:A conspiracy has been found among Judah’s men And among those who live in JeruSalem! ¹⁰To their father’s bad ways, they’ve returned… The ways of those who had lived before them, And who also refused to listen to Me. {Look!} For, those in the houses of IsraEl and Judah Are following and serving strange gods… They’ve annulled My Agreement with their fathers!¹¹‘And because of this,’ says Jehovah; ‘{Look!} I’ll bring an evil upon them That they won’t be able to end.‘Then, once again, they’ll start calling to Me, But this time, I will not listen. ¹²And [what happens to] those in the cities of Judah, Will [be worse] than for those in JeruSalem.‘So then, they’ll have to call to their gods… Those to whom they burn incense… Those who can’t save them in times of [distress].¹³‘Now, each town in Judah has its own gods, And there are shrines on all of JeruSalem’s streets Where they burn incense to [a] BaAl.¹⁴‘So, you must not pray for these people… Don’t beg or petition for them! For when they call, I won’t listen In their time of distress.¹⁵‘Now, disgusting things are done in My House By those for whom I’ve shown love! So, will vows and holy meat atone for their bad… Are they putting their hope in such things?’¹⁶‘As a pretty olive tree providing much shade Was the sight of those who called on His Name. Then I heard the sound of it being chopped down… It was lit on fire [and burned]… So her tender branches were wasted.¹⁷‘Yet, it was planted by Jehovah of Armies… The One against whom they spoke evil. So, on the houses of IsraEl and Judah There also came very bad things That they brought on themselves by provoking His rage… By their burning incense to [a] BaAl.’¹⁸[But I said]:‘O Lord,‘Please tell me about it so I’ll know, because you’re the only one who’s fully aware of what they’re doing! ¹⁹However, I’m just an innocent lamb who doesn’t know he’s being led to the sacrifice; for they’re even plotting and making plans against me, saying:‘Come, let’s give him wood for his bread… From the land of the living, let’s wipe him away, And make sure that his name is forgotten!’²⁰‘O Jehovah of Armies; please judge them fairly over such things… Try their kidneys and hearts! May I [live to] see Your punishment on them… But remember that I’ve acted uprightly.’²¹It was because of this that the Lord then replied concerning the men of AnathOth that were seeking my life. For these were the ones who were saying to me:‘Don’t prophesy in the Name of Jehovah anymore, for if you do, we’ll kill you!’²²So concerning them, Jehovah of Armies said this:‘Look! I’ll pay them a visit, Then, all their young men will die by the sword, And their sons and daughters will starve.²³‘None of them will remain; For, to those who are living in AnathOth, I will be bringing what’s bad In the year that I come to visit.’

¹[And I said]:‘You are righteous, O Lord; so, let me plead my case before You, and I’ll leave it for you to decide.‘Why do the irreverent [seem to] succeed, And the wicked and disrespectful continue to prosper? ²Yet, they were planted and rooted by you, And they produced children and fruitage. So it seems as though you are near to their mouths But far away from their kidneys.³‘You know me, O Lord, And before you, my heart has been tried. So, may they be gathered like flocks That are dedicated for slaughter!⁴‘How long will the land have to mourn And all the grass in the fields become dry Because of their evil deeds? Although they offer God cattle and birds, They say He doesn’t see what they’re doing.’⁵[And the Lord replied]:‘Since your feet get so tired when they run, How can you be ridden like a horse? Why have you trusted that there will be peace And why do you whinny for the JorDan?⁶‘For, even your brothers and the house of your father Have failed to pay attention to you… Behind your back, they are yelling at you! So, don’t trust them when they speak kind words.’⁷[And I said]:‘I have abandoned my home… My inheritance, I have forsaken… And into the hands of her enemies I’ve given the love of my life.⁸‘For [she], (my inheritance) has now become Like a lion that lives in the woods… She roared, so I started to hate her.⁹‘She’s become a den of hyenas, And [this den] is now her protection. So, gather to her the beasts of the fields And let them go there to eat her!’¹⁰[And the Lord replied]:‘Many shepherds have corrupted my vineyard… Yes, they have tainted my portion… They’ve turned my portion into a land that’s unwalked!¹¹‘So, destruction and extinction is what I have planned. And because of me, the land will all be destroyed. Yet, the people have failed to take this to heart.¹²‘Then, through every pass in the desert Will come those who bring misery… Those who will use my sword to consume. And from one end of the land to the other; There won’t be any peace for all flesh.¹³‘For, although I once planted wheat there, Thorn-bushes is all that it [grew]… So, all of my efforts were wasted. Therefore, be ashamed of your prideful words And for speaking in scorn to Jehovah!’¹⁴Then the Lord said:‘When it comes to the wicked around you (Those who have touched my belongings… IsraEl, my people and portion); {Look!} From their land, I will take them away… I’ll uproot the people of Judah.¹⁵‘But, after I drive them away, I will also let them return, And I will show mercy upon them. Yes I’ll let them return and resettle In the land they received from their fathers… I’ll return each one to his [home].¹⁶‘And if my people should learn the right way Then start swearing their oaths by [God’s] Name… If they’ll say, As Jehovah is living, As they’re now swearing by [a] BaAl; I’ll let them return and rebuild their homes.¹⁷‘But, if they should choose not to return, I will lift that nation away… I’ll remove them and then I’ll destroy them,’ said the Lord.

¹Then the Lord said:‘Now, go buy a loin cloth of linen, And thereafter, wrap it around you… But, do not wash it in water.’²So I went out and bought the loincloth, just as I was told by the Word of Jehovah, and I wrapped it around my loins. ³Then the Word of Jehovah came to me a second time saying:‘Now you should take off the loincloth (The one whom you’ve wrapped ‘round your loins), ⁴Then get up and go to the River EuPhrates, And hide it in a hole among rocks!’⁵So I went and hid it by the EuPhrates, just as the Lord had told me to do.⁶Then after many days, the Lord said to me:‘Now, get up and go back to the River EuPhrates… Go search and bring back that loincloth… The one I told you to hide there.’⁷So I went back to the EuPhrates and dug up the loincloth from the place where I’d hidden it… And {Look!} it was ruined… There’s no way that it could have been used after that.⁸Then the Word of Jehovah came and told me [and said]:⁹‘This is what Jehovah has said:‘Like this, I’ll corrupt the insolence of Judah Because of JeruSalem’s insolent ways… ¹⁰The insolence of those who don’t wish to obey… Those who follow in the wicked ways of their hearts By chasing and serving strange gods, Then bowing to their faces before them.‘They will become like this loincloth, Which will never be useful again. ¹¹For, just as this cloth hugs the loins of a man, I’ve stuck by the houses of IsraEl and Judah,’ says Jehovah.‘They’d have been a famous people to Me And a reason for boasting and glory… But they have paid Me no heed!¹²‘So, speak these words to those people… Say that IsraEl’s God Jehovah says this:‘Your leather bags will be filled with wine!’‘And when they ask:‘Don’t you think that we already know That our leather bags will be filled with wine? Why have you have said this to us?’¹³‘Tell them that thus says Jehovah:‘{Look!} I’ll fill those in this land with strong drink… Their kings (David’s sons) that sit on their thrones, As well as their priests and their prophets, Along with all those living in Judah And those who live in JeruSalem.¹⁴‘Then, I will send them away… Each man will be torn from his brother, And all sons will be torn from their fathers. And thereafter, I will not miss them,’ says Jehovah… ‘I won’t spare them or pity their ruin.’¹⁵So, hear this… Yes listen, and then give up hope!
For, this is what the Lord said:‘Give glory to Jehovah, your God… ¹⁶Give glory before it gets dark… Before your feet stumble amid mountain shade Where you’ll wait for light in the shadow of death, But where you will only find darkness!¹⁷‘For, if you choose not to listen, You’ll weep in secret, because of your pride; And there, your eyes will shed tears For the scattered flock of Jehovah.¹⁸‘Now, go and say this to your king:‘Your rulers must sit down and humble themselves, For their wreaths of glory will be knocked from their heads.¹⁹‘The cities towards the south will be also closed, And not be opened again. Then the people of Judah will be resettled In a complete relocation.²⁰‘So, raise your eyes, O JeruSalem, And see what’s coming to you from the north!‘And where is the flock that was given to you… [Yes, where are] the sheep of your glory? ²¹What will you say when those people arrive And you’ll have to teach them hard lessons Against yourselves and your rule?‘Won’t labor pangs then control you As though you’re a woman about to give birth?²²‘And if you should ask in your heart, ‘Why has this happened to me?’ It’s because your sins have been great! So your butt will now be uncovered To be an example to your heels.²³‘If Ethiopians could change their skin color Or leopards could change all their spots; You’d also be able to do what is good And learn [not to do] any evil.²⁴‘So, your people will be scattered by [God]… Like twigs that are blown in the desert by winds. ²⁵Yes, this is your portion and lot, Because of the ways you’ve opposed [Him],’ said the Lord.‘For, you forgot [Him] and trusted in lies. ²⁶So, to your faces, I’ll now show your butts… Your dishonor will be exposed before all.²⁷‘Yes I’ve seen your snorting and adultery… Your disgusting acts and the whoring That you’ve done in your hills and in all your fields.‘So, woe to you, O JeruSalem, Because you’re too dirty to follow me, And for you, there’s no hope any longer!’

¹Then the Word of Jehovah came to me (JeremiAh) to [speak about] the drought.[For I had said:]²‘Judah is mourning, for her gates are now empty, And the land is enveloped in darkness, As cries are ascending from JeruSalem.³‘Her great ones send young men for water, Who find nothing when they get to the wells; So, all they bring back is just empty jars.⁴‘The works in the land have failed also, For there hasn’t been any rain. So the farmers are shamed and they cover their heads. ⁵And when the hinds in the prairies give birth, They just abandon their young… For there’s not enough [grass] in the fields.⁶‘Wild burros in the woods must suck wind; And because there is so little hay, The eyes of the wild beasts have failed.⁷‘Because of our sins, [You’ve] opposed us, O Lord; But, help us for the sake of Your Name. However, our errors are many, And we’re [guilty] of sinning against You.⁸‘But Jehovah,‘You are IsraEl’s endurance… In hard times, You’ve been our Savior. So, why are You being a stranger to us… Like a native-born son on vacation?⁹‘Are You like a man who is sleeping, Or someone who is able to save us? For, You’ve been among us, O Lord, And we are called by Your Name; So, You should never forget us!’¹⁰And the Lord replied concerning these people:‘They’ve [sinned] and they have spared no one; So, God hasn’t prospered their ways, And because He is now recalling their sins… For their errors, He’s coming to visit.’¹¹Then the Lord told me:‘Don’t request good things for these people; ¹²For, when they fast, I won’t hear their prayers. And if they should bring sacrifices, I won’t look kindly upon them. Rather, I’ll finish them off with the sword, And to the rest, I will then send a famine.’¹³And I said:‘O Great Being… O Lord,‘Our prophets have said that we won’t ever see the sword and that we’ll never go hungry… Rather, they’re saying that You’re going to bring peace to our land!’¹⁴And then the Lord said this to me:‘Those who prophesy such in [God’s] Name Are just telling them lies; For, I did not really send them, Nor did I tell them what they should say.‘So the visions that they have are all lies; And the signs and omens that they prophesy, Are just things that come from their hearts.¹⁵‘Therefore, this was said by Jehovah:‘You must tell those who prophesy lies in My Name (Those whom I didn’t send)… [Because you’ve said] that famine and the sword Will never come to this land; You prophets will die by diseases, And I’ll finish what’s left by starvation!¹⁶‘Yes, you who are telling such stories Will all die by the sword and by famine; Then your bodies will be tossed in JeruSalem’s streets.‘You won’t be buried in tombs… Nor will your wives, sons, or daughters. For I’ll pour your own badness upon you!’¹⁷‘Then tell them that Jehovah said this:‘Your eyes will be filled with tears day and night… For you will never stop crying! To the daughters of My people will just come defeat… Yes, they will be horribly beaten!¹⁸‘So, when you go out to the fields, You’ll see those cut down by the sword. And when you enter the cities, You’ll see the misery of famine. Then, to lands that you’ve never known, They’ll carry you prophets and priests!’¹⁹[And I asked:]‘Are you saying that Jehovah has rejected all of Judah and that He has removed His Soul from Zion? Why is He striking us instead of healing us? For although we’ve been waiting for peace, nothing good has happened… [we’ve been waiting for] healing, but things are just getting worse!²⁰‘O Lord, we’re aware of our errors and the sins of our fathers… Yes we know that we’re guilty of sins before You. ²¹But please back off because of Your Name… Don’t destroy Your glorious throne! Please remember Your Sacred Agreement… Please don’t wipe it away!²²‘For, which idol of the nations can bring rain… Which one can bring what they say they can bring from the skies? Who other than You can accomplish such things… [Who other than] our God Jehovah?‘Therefore, we’ll continue to wait upon You, since You’re the One who created it all!’

¹And then the Lord said to me:‘If you’d stand SamuEl and Moses before me… Even for them, my soul wouldn’t change. So, send these people away from my face… Yes, let them [be carried away]!²‘And if they should ask, Where are we going? You should tell them that thus says Jehovah:‘As many as are [appointed for] death [Are the numbers of those] who will die; As many as are [appointed] to the sword [Are the numbers of those] who will die by the sword; As many as are [appointed] to famine [Are the numbers of those] who will starve; And as many as are [appointed] to be captives [Are the numbers of those] who’ll be carried away.’³‘And Jehovah said:‘I will take vengeance in 4 different ways:· They’ll be put to death by the sword, · They’ll be torn to pieces by dogs, · They’ll serve as prey for wild beasts, · They’ll be rotting flesh for the birds in the skies.⁴‘To many distresses, I’ll hand them To all the kingdoms throughout the earth Because of ManasSeh, king of Judah (The son of King HezekiAh), And for all that he did in JeruSalem.⁵‘O JeruSalem; who will spare you? Yes, who will be timid against you, And who will say, ‘May you have peace?’ For to Me, you have now turned [your backs],’ says Jehovah. ⁶So now, you will be [forced to] retreat;‘Then I’ll stretch out My hand to destroy you And I will not spare you thereafter.⁷‘I’ll scatter and disperse those inside the gates, And they will all become childless… They’ll destroy My people, because they’re so bad.⁸‘Then there’ll be more widows than the sands of the seas… For to mothers of young men, I’ll send misery… I’ll bring trembling and anxiety upon them at noon.⁹‘So the one who bore 7 will have none, For their lives will meet with misfortune And their sun will have set at midday. They’ll be disgraced and berated, And I’ll hand what’s left to the sword,’ says Jehovah.’¹⁰So, woe to you, O mother who bore me; For I’ve become a man who must judge And bring bad things to this land.Yet, none of this will benefit me, Since no one has offered to help me, And I’ve been weakened by all those who curse me.¹¹So may it be, O Jehovah the Almighty… May they get no help in their time of distress, And may their enemies bring them no good. ¹²Let them know that [You are like] iron And Your strength is like a robe made of brass.¹³[Then the Lord said this concerning the people]:‘Because of the sins in your borders, I’ll hand all your treasures to them. ¹⁴Before them, you all will be slaves, And you’ll live in lands that you’ve never known. For a fire will start burning among you, Which will be lit by my rage.’¹⁵But Lord; please do not forget me… Save me from those who pursue me… Please don’t hold back [Your hand], Since it’s because of You, that I’m hated ¹⁶By those who don’t want to hear what You’ve said.If You’ll completely finish them off, Your words will bring joy to my heart. For, O Jehovah the Almighty; I’m a man who is called by Your Name!¹⁷I don’t sit among those who have mocked You, And before Your hand, I was cautious. I sat by myself all alone Filled with great indignation.¹⁸But, why do You allow those who bring grief to win? For my wounds by them have been so severe… And now, where can I go to get healed? Yes, to me, this is untested water… It’s something that I cannot trust.¹⁹Then the Lord said:‘If you should ever return [to this land], I’ll return everything that you’ve owned, And before my face, you’ll stand once again.‘But now, you must separate those who are worthy From all the rest that are not, And you must serve as my mouth.‘And although they may come before you, You must not go before them. ²⁰For, to these people, I’ve made you A fortified wall of forged brass.‘So, although they’ll wage war against you, They won’t be able to beat you, Because I am here and I’ll save you.‘Yes, I’ll rescue you from their hands,’ said [the Lord]… ‘From the hands of the wicked, I’ll save you… I’ll ransom you from these cursed people.’

¹Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:²‘Don’t take another wife in this place And don’t father more daughters or sons. ³For, concerning the sons and the daughters That have been born in this place… And concerning the mothers that gave them birth, And those in this land that are fathers, [Your God Jehovah says this]: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!‘Most will fall by the sword, And starvation will kill all the rest. Their corpses will serve as food for wild beasts And for the birds in the skies.’⁵And the Lord told me:‘Don’t join in their [funeral processions], And for them, don’t mourn or lament, Since I’m the one who took peace away, Along with compassion and mercy.⁶‘So the great and the small of this land will all die And they won’t be lamented or buried… No one will beat their chests over them, Nor cut on themselves or shave their heads.⁷‘No way will there be feasts of mourning… No bread will be broken to console Those who are mourning their dead. Nor will any drinks be provided For the deaths of their fathers and mothers.⁸‘So don’t enter their homes for a banquet… Don’t sit beside them to eat or to drink; ⁹For thus says Jehovah, IsraEl’s God:‘{Look!} Before your eyes, I’ll remove them, And during your [life, this will happen]. There’ll be no sounds of gladness or joy, Nor the voices of grooms and their brides.¹⁰‘Now, when you say this to the people, they’ll ask:‘Why has Jehovah pronounced such bad things… What wrongs have we really done… How have we sinned against God?’¹¹‘And this must be your reply:It’s because your fathers have left Me,’ says Jehovah; And they have followed strange gods… They bowed before them and served them… They’ve abandoned Me and not kept My Laws… ¹²And you’re more wicked than them!‘{Look!} For you’ve chased all the evil that pleases your hearts, And you have refused to obey Me. ¹³So I’ll drive you away from this land To a land that is strange to your fathers and you, Where you’ll serve strange gods day and night… Those who will show you no mercy!¹⁴‘Yes, because of this, days will come when they’ll say:‘As Jehovah is living… The One who led IsraEl from Egypt...’¹⁵‘But then, they will also be saying:‘As Jehovah is living… The One who led IsraEl back From the lands in the north, And from everywhere else they were taken...’‘For then, I will bring them back to their land… This land that I gave to their fathers.¹⁶‘{Look!} To them, I will send men who fish,’ says Jehovah, And they will go fishing for them. I will also send out the hunters Who’ll hunt for them on the mountains and hills And even in holes among rocks.¹⁷‘But My eyes are now watching their ways, So they can’t hide their offenses from Me. ¹⁸And it’s because of all their unrighteous ways… For the sins with which they’ve ruined My land… For the disgusting things of their rotting flesh And for filling My inheritance with their lawless deeds, That I will pay them back double!¹⁹‘But thereafter, they will be saying:‘O Jehovah, our helper and strength… Our refuge during hard times… To You, all the nations will come From the ends of the earth.’‘And they will also be saying:‘How false were the idols that our fathers acquired; Because, in them, there was no hope at all… ²⁰Although each man made his own gods, None of these really proved to be gods!’²¹‘{Look!} At that time, I will show them My hand… Yes, I will show them My might. Then they’ll learn that My Name is Jehovah!’

¹‘Thus says Jehovah:All the sins of Judah have been inscribed With a stylus of iron… In the tablets of their hearts, they’ve been clawed, And upon the horns of their altars.²‘So their sons will remember their altars, As well as their sacred poles, Which were found under every tree in the woods And upon every high hill.³‘And on the mountains, there in your plains, I will give your wealth and treasures as loot For the sins [you’ve committed] upon these high peaks.⁴‘Then the inheritance that I gave to you will be gone, And you’ll have to serve people who hate you In a land that you’ve never known. For you’ve kindled the fire of My wrath, Which will blaze against you throughout the rest of this age.’⁵Then the Lord said:‘Cursed is the man who has any hope; For, although his flesh is still on his arms, His heart is far from Jehovah. ⁶So he’ll be like a tree in the desert, And when good things arrive, he won’t see them. For in a desert of salt, he’ll be planted… In a brackish land, where no one has lived.⁷‘But, praised is the man who relies on the Lord And puts his hope in Jehovah. ⁸For he’ll be like a tree planted near water That shoots its roots into moisture.‘He’ll have no fear of sweltering heat And grow fat like a tree in the woods. He’ll have nothing to fear in the year of the drought, And he’ll keep on producing good fruit.⁹‘Since hearts are the deepest of things, Who can know [what’s inside] a man? ¹⁰But, I can examine the hearts, And I also put the kidneys on trial, Then repay each one for his ways By the fruits of the things that he’s done.¹¹‘As a partridge calls out to [eggs] that won’t hatch, Is the man who is rich but unfair. For in the last half of his days, He will lose all his wealth… And this [will prove] that he’s been a fool.’¹²[O Lord],Our Holy Place is Your glorious throne, Which we’ve held in esteem since most ancient times. ¹³But, IsraEl now awaits the disgrace That will come upon those who have left You.So, may the names of those who’ve rebelled Be written deep under the ground, Since they’ve left their Lord and the source of their life!¹⁴Make the Sabbath days holy again… Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed… Save me and I’ll be delivered, For, You are my reasons for boasting!¹⁵They ask:‘Where is this Word of Jehovah? May [whatever He says] come upon us!’¹⁶But I’ve never tired of following You, And I’ve had no desire to do what they’ve done.You know all the things that have come from my lips… Before Your face, they’re all here! ¹⁷So, please don’t push me away… Protect me when that bad day arrives!¹⁸May those who chase me be shamed, And may I not bring disgrace on myself. Although they may come to know terror, May terror never come upon me. Yes, bring that bad day upon them… Double the destruction upon them!¹⁹And then the Lord said this to me:‘Go stand at the gates of the sons of your people (The gates through which kings of Judah now walk … Those gates through which they must pass). Yes, go and stand at each of those gates, ²⁰And this is what you should tell them:‘O you kings of Judea… You kings of Judah and JeruSalem And all the rest that enter these gates; Hear the Word of Jehovah!²¹‘For Jehovah has said you can save yourselves By not carrying loads here on the Sabbaths… Don’t carry anything through JeruSalem’s gates ²²Or from your homes on the Sabbaths. He told you not to do any work, And to keep the Sabbath days holy; Since, that’s what He told your fathers to do!’²³‘But, they’ll not turn and listen to you… They’ll have stiffer necks than their fathers… They’ll not pay attention or do what you say.’²⁴Then the Lord [told me to say this to them]:‘If you will just listen to Me And not carry goods through these gates on the Sabbaths… If you’ll treat the Sabbaths as holy By refusing to do any work; Then, kings and rulers will enter these gates Who will still sit upon David’s throne.²⁵‘They’ll come through here with horses and chariots, And I will appoint them the rulers Of Judah and JeruSalem… Then they’ll settle in this city throughout the ages.²⁶‘And at that time, [the people] will come From Judah and JeruSalem. And from BenJamin’s land they’ll come also… From the mountains and fields in the south.‘Here they’ll be bringing burnt-offerings, Along with incense and frankincense, As well as offerings of praise and thanksgiving… Here to the Temple of Jehovah.²⁷‘But, if you should choose not to listen And not treat My Sabbaths as holy… If you continue to lift and tote loads Through JeruSalem’s gates on the Sabbaths; I’ll kindle a fire inside of these gates To devour JeruSalem’s plazas… A fire that won’t be extinguished!’

¹This message came to JeremiAh from Jehovah. ²He said:‘Get up and go to the house of the potter And hear the words that I’ll say there.’³So I went to the house of the potter, and {Look!} there I found the man making a [pot] on his stone. ⁴However, the pot that he was making then fell apart, so he reshaped it into one that he was pleased with.⁵It was then that the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:⁶‘Now, Jehovah is asking this question:‘O House of IsraEl; Can’t I shape you in the same way That the potter just [reshaped this pot]? For, O house of IsraEl; Like clay in the hands of a potter Is what you are in My hands.⁷‘So, when I speak of bringing an end To any nation or kingdom, And I plan to destroy them and lift them away; ⁸If the nation should turn from the bad, I can then change My mind About the bad things that I’d planned.⁹‘And when I speak of building a nation or kingdom, ¹⁰And they [choose to be] wicked before Me, Refusing to hear what I say; About the good things of which I had planned, I can then change My mind.’¹¹‘So, say this to those men of Judea And to those who live in JeruSalem… Tell them that thus says Jehovah:‘{Look!} I will shape bad things against you And devise against you, a plot, Unless you turn from your evil ways And change your bad ways to good!¹²‘Yet, this is what they’ll say in reply:‘We’ll act like men and do as we please… We’ll do whatever is bad in our hearts!’¹³‘And because of this, thus says Jehovah:‘Go and ask the gentiles this question: Have you heard better reasons to shudder Than what IsraEl, the virgin, has done?¹⁴‘Will snow leave the rocks on the mountains? Will rain not fall when it’s blown by the wind? ¹⁵Yet, because My own people forgot Me, It’s in vain that they’re burning incense to Me, And they’ll now grow weak in their paths.‘On the roads of the ages, they will not walk; For, since they don’t know the right way to go, ¹⁶They’ve ordered extinction upon their own land… A hissing [that will last] throughout the ages.‘Then, all that go there will be stupefied, And they will just shake their heads. ¹⁷For, enemies will blow them away As though they are flames in the wind… Yes, I’ll show them the rear not the front In the day that they’re being destroyed!’¹⁸Well after that, [the people] started saying:‘We need to come up with a plot [to destroy] JeremiAh, for the Law won’t really pass away, nor will the wisdom or words of [our] prophets. Come on, let’s beat him on his tongue so we won’t have to listen to his words anymore!’¹⁹Hear me, O Lord,Hear the [results] of my righteous deeds! ²⁰Should I be repaid with evil for the good [that I’m doing]? For right now they’re meeting and talking about doing something evil to my life!Please remember [all the times] that I stood here before You and asked You to do good things for them… When I urged You to turn from Your rage against them! ²¹But now, because of [these things that they’re saying], please bring a famine upon all their sons and hand them over to those who are carrying swords! Let their women become childless and widows… May all of their husbands be killed, and may all their young men fall by the sword! ²²Let there be cries in their homes as You set looters upon them… For now they’re plotting to arrest me and they’re hiding snares to catch me!²³Yes, You know, O Lord, that they’re planning to kill me; so don’t overlook their errors and sins, and wipe them away from before You. Let their failures always remain in Your [eyes], and then deal with them in the day of Your rage!

¹Well at that, the Lord said to me:‘Go buy a shaped earthenware pitcher From the elders of the people and the priests. ²Then go to the graveyard of Hinnom’s sons At the threshold of the East Gate, And read all these words that I’ll tell you:³‘Say:‘O you kings of Judea, And you who live in JeruSalem; Hear the word of Jehovah! For Jehovah of Armies, the God of IsraEl now says That He’ll bring so many bad things to this place That it will ring in the ears of those hearing about it!⁴‘For, they’ve left Him and [chosen] this place Where they burn incense to their strange gods (Gods that their fathers never knew). And the kings of Judah have filled up this place With the blood of innocent men.⁵‘Here, they’ve built [altars] to [a] BaAl, And they’ve burned their sons in a fire… Something that God never spoke of And which He never told them to do, Or ever came into His heart!⁶‘And because of this, days will come,’ said the Lord, ‘When they’ll call this [The Valley] no longer, Nor the Graveyard of Hinnom’s sons. It’ll be called, The Graveyard of Slaughter!⁷‘For there, I’ll slay the counselors of Judah, As well as those of JeruSalem… Before their enemies, I’ll cut them down Through the hands of those who are seeking their lives. Then I’ll hand their dead to the birds as their food, As well as to the wild beasts of the ground.⁸‘I’ll order the extinction of this city… It’ll be just a place where hissing is heard. And all that come here will look at it sadly, Then whistle [when they see] its disaster.⁹‘Here they’ll eat the flesh of their daughters and sons, And in their strongholds, the flesh of their neighbors, When their enemies (those seeking their lives) have arrived.’¹⁰‘Then, break that pitcher in front of their eyes, And before those who’ve traveled there with you, ¹¹Then tell them that thus says Jehovah:‘This is how I will do it; I’ll break your city and its people Just like this pot has been shattered So that it cannot be repaired. Then they will be buried here in this place Where [they now play] tambourines… And there’ll be no other place to be buried.’¹²‘Jehovah says:This is what I will do to this place, And to all those who live here… I’ll hand this city to destruction… ¹³Yes, all of JeruSalem’s homes And the palaces of all of its rulers.‘It will all fall into ruin Because of the bad things they’ve done here. For here, they’ve burned incense on roofs To each of the [Zodiac signs], And they’ve offered drinks to strange gods.’¹⁴Then JeremiAh left [the valley] where The Lord had sent him to prophesy, and he went and stood in the courtyard of the [Temple] of Jehovah and said this to all the people who were there:‘Thus says Jehovah of Armies:‘{Look!} I’ll bring calamity on this city And to the rest of its cities and towns. I’m bringing all of the evils that I’ve spoken against her; For, you have hardened your necks, And not listened to the instructions that I sent.’

¹Well, when PashUr son of ImMer (the Priest who had been anointed as the leader of the Temple of Jehovah) heard what JeremiAh was prophesying, ²he had him beaten and thrown into the dungeon near the Upper Gate of the House of BenJamin, which was near the Temple of Jehovah.³Then the next morning, as PashUr was leading JeremiAh out of the dungeon, JeremiAh said to him:‘Jehovah won’t call your name PashUr anymore. Rather, He’s going to call you Refugee. ⁴Because, Jehovah says this:‘{Look!} I will hand over you and your friends, And you’ll be taken away from this place. Then, each one will be cut down by enemy swords… And your eyes will see it all happen.‘Then I’ll hand over Judah to Babylon’s king, And he’ll move the people away Or cut them to pieces with swords.⁵‘I’ll remove the strength from this city – All its works and all the king’s treasures – And give them into their enemy’s hands.‘Then to Babylon, they all will be led; ⁶And you and all that live in your house Will be taken to Babylon as captives, And that is the place where you’ll die… It’s where you’ll be entombed with your friends To whom you prophesied lies.’⁷Then I said:‘You’ve deceived me, O Lord… Yes, I was truly deceived! Although You’ve held on and won, I’m the butt of their laughter every day and I’m the one they’re all sneering at! ⁸So from now on, I’m just going to laugh at the bitterness and call for more misery and rebellion, since all that speaking the word of Jehovah has brought me is scorn and taunting every day.’⁹And I said:‘There’s no way that I’m going to [speak of] Jehovah anymore… I won’t even mention His Name!’However, soon it became like a fire that burned and blazed in my bones and made me weak on the inside, until I was no longer able to bear it. [So I said:]¹⁰‘I’ve heard that they’ve said in their meetings:‘We should all rise up against him… Yes, let’s stand together against him As well as against all his friends!‘Let’s ignore what he says will be coming… Yes, let him keep on being deceived. For against him, we will prevail, And then, we’ll take vengeance upon him!’¹¹‘However, Jehovah is with me, As a warrior that’s making me strong. So, they have chased me in vain… And although they will all meet with shame, They’ll fail to see their dishonor, Which will not be forgotten throughout ages.¹²‘O Lord,‘Try me according to Your righteous ways… Examine my kidneys and heart. May I witness Your punishment on them… For before You, I’ve laid out my pleas for defense.¹³‘So, sing to Jehovah and praise Him, Because He’ll save the lives of the poor From the hands of those who have power!¹⁴‘O cursed is the day I was born… May the day that my mother gave birth Never be longed for again!¹⁵‘And may that person be cursed Who brought this as news to my father: ‘Rejoice, for you have a male child!’ ¹⁶May he be as the cities that did not repent And were destroyed by Jehovah!‘Let him hear their cries in the mornings, As well as their shouting at noon! ¹⁷For [God] failed to kill me in my mother’s womb And let it serve as my tomb throughout the ages.¹⁸‘Why did I come from the womb… Just to see all of this misery And to spend all my days in such shame?’

¹The following are the words that came to JeremiAh from Jehovah after King ZedekiAh had sent PashUr (son of MelchiAh) and ZephaniAh (son of MaAseJah) the Priest to him to say this:²‘Go beg to Jehovah for us, because the king of Babylon has us surrounded! [Ask] if the Lord will send wonders and drive that king from [our walls].’³So the Lord then told JeremiAh:‘Give this reply [from Jehovah] to King ZedekiAh:‘I’ll turn back the weapons of war in your hands That you’re using to fight those Chaldeans Who have come to oppress you, And that are outside of your walls; ⁴Then, I’ll bring them into your city.⁵‘For, I will wage war against you With My outstretched hand and My mighty arm In [My] anger and rage.⁶‘I’ll strike all those who live in this city In a slaughter of men and their cattle… Yes, they will all be destroyed!⁷‘And then,’ said Jehovah, I’ll hand over Judah’s King ZedekiAh, As well as all of his servants, Along with those who live in this city Who’ll survive death from the famine And the swords in the hands of those seeking their lives.‘By the mouth of the sword, they’ll cut them to bits… They will not spare or feel pity!’⁸‘Then, speak to these people and tell them… Yes, tell them that thus says Jehovah:‘{Look!} Before your faces, I’ve put life and death. ⁹And those who stay in this city Will die by famine or by the sword. But those who leave to join the Chaldeans (Those men who have you surrounded) will live… Your [reward] will be your own lives!¹⁰‘For against this city, I’ve now set My face To do just bad things, not good,’ says Jehovah, ‘It’s going to be handed to Babylon’s king, And he will then burn it in fire.¹¹‘O house of the kings of Judea; Hear the Word of Jehovah! ¹²And to you, the house of [King] David; Against you, Jehovah said this:‘In the morning, discuss the judgment on you, And then get yourselves straightened out. Rescue those being shredded From the hands of those who are doing them wrong!‘Don’t let My anger be lit like a fire; For, after it has been kindled, No one will come here to put it out!¹³‘Look… It’s Me that’s coming against All you who live in these [mountains], And you who live in the plains… Those who have asked, ‘Whom must we fear?’ And, ‘Who could enter our homes?’¹⁴‘Yes, I am the One who is watching And the One who will light the fire, Which will burn everything that’s around [you]!’

¹Then the Lord said:‘So now, go to the [palace] of Judah’s king, And these are the words you must speak there:²‘O you king of Judea, Hear the Word of Jehovah… Yes, you who are sitting upon David’s throne… You, as well as your servants, And all the people who enter your gates!’³‘Tell him that this is what was said by Jehovah:‘You must [learn to] be righteous and fair, And rescue those being plundered From the hands of those who are doing them wrong!‘Don’t tyrannize strangers, orphans, or widows… Don’t be irreverent anymore… And stop shedding innocent blood in this place!⁴‘For, if you [continue] doing such things, Their kings will enter the gates of this house, And on David’s throne, they will sit. Yes, they, their children, and people Will come here on chariots and horses!⁵‘If you choose not to listen to Me, I swear this oath by Myself,’ says Jehovah, ‘On your house, I will bring desolation!’⁶‘And Jehovah said this against the [palace] of the king of Judah:‘You’re the same as GileAd to Me; For, you are Lebanon’s head. So, shouldn’t I wipe you away And leave your cities deserted?⁷‘I’ll bring annihilation upon you By a man who carries the axe. He’ll cut down all your fine cedars, And throw them into a fire.⁸‘Then, nations will [march] through this city, And each man will ask his companion:‘Why did [God] let this happen?’⁹‘And the other will give this reply:‘Because they abandoned their Sacred Agreement With Jehovah their God… Because they bowed to and served other gods.’¹⁰‘So don’t weep or feel sorry for those who will die… Rather, weep for those who’ll be carried away. For, they will never return Or see the land of their fathers again.'¹¹The Lord also said these words against ShalLum (JehoiAkim) king of Judah (son of [King] JosiAh), who reigned in place of his [brother] who’d been carried] off [to Egypt].He said:‘You will never return here, ¹²And you’ll die where I’ll have you taken… So this land will never see you again!¹³‘For your [palace] was built on injustice, And unfairly, its rooms were constructed, Since you made your neighbors work without pay… You didn’t even pay them their wages!¹⁴‘A well-designed house, you’ve built for yourself, With windows and good ventilation, And cedar walls that are painted vermillion. ¹⁵But, should you have started to rule Because you disliked your father?‘Of food and drink, he had plenty, Because he was fair, honest, and just! ¹⁶But, you have not [seen the need] To judge the humble in fairness, Or to be just with the poor!‘Jehovah asks:‘Have you done this because you don’t know Me?’¹⁷‘{Look!} There is nothing good in your eyes or your heart, And your desire is just to gain wealth. So, you are shedding innocent blood And committing such evils as murder!’¹⁸Then the Lord said this against JehoiAkim, king of Judah:'Because of all that he’s done, Woe [will come to] this man. So let no one feel sorry for him, And no one should wail, ‘O my brother!’‘Over him, they should never weep, Or say, ‘Too bad for you, O my Lord!’ ¹⁹For, he’ll be buried like a donkey… He’ll be scraped up and tossed from JeruSalem’s [walls]!²⁰‘Now, go up to Lebanon and shout… Go to BaShan and call to the ends of the sea, [And you’ll see that] your lovers have been beaten!²¹‘I’ve spoken to you of your sins, And you said that you’d pay me no heed. This has been your way since your youth… You’ve paid no attention to my voice!²²‘So your shepherds will just tend the wind, And your lovers will be taken as captives. Then, you’ll be shamed and disgraced Before all of those with whom you’ve made love.²³[‘For Jehovah says:]‘O you who call Lebanon [your home], And you who nest among cedars; You’ll groan like a [woman] about to give birth; For, pangs of grief are coming to you!²⁴‘As I live,’ says Jehovah, ‘King ConiJah (JehoiAkim’s son) Will become a seal on My right hand; For, from your place, I will take you ²⁵And hand you to the man who is seeking your life… The one before whom you are cautious… To the hands of King NebuChadNezzar And to the hands of all his Chaldeans.²⁶‘I’ll throw you and the mother who bore you Into a land where you were not born… And then you will die in that place! ²⁷So, to this land that’s the love of your life, You will never return.²⁸‘ConiJah will also meet with disgrace… And like a pot [that’s been thrown] in the trash; He’ll be thrown in a land that he’s never known.’²⁹‘O land, hear the Word of Jehovah:³⁰‘Record this king as one who’s been banished, And thereafter, proclaim this in public:‘Nothing will grow from his ‘seed’ That will ever sit upon David’s throne, Or rule in Judah again!’

¹[The Lord continues:]‘O you shepherds who scatter And destroy the sheep of His pasture; Against you, Jehovah said this… He said this to those who shepherd His [sheep]:²‘You have scattered My sheep… Yes, you have pushed them away And refused to [watch over] them. So, {Look!} I will take vengeance upon you For the wicked things that you’ve done.³‘Then, from wherever they are on the earth, I will gather them back (Those who are left of My people) From wherever they have been pushed, And bring them [back] to their pastures, Where they’ll multiply and grow once again.⁴‘Then, I will raise shepherds to tend them So they won’t know terror or fear, Nor will they have to be searched for again,’ says Jehovah.⁵‘Look! The days are now coming,’ says Jehovah, ‘When I’ll bring a righteous dawning to David, And an understanding king will then reign, Who’ll bring what’s righteous and fair to the land.⁶‘In his days, he’ll bring salvation to Judah, And IsraEl will camp in submission. Then the Lord will call him, ‘Jehovah is Righteous.’⁷‘And because of this, {Look!} days will come,’ said the Lord; ‘When they’ll not say:‘As Jehovah’s alive… The One who led IsraEl from Egypt.’⁸‘But rather, they will be saying:‘As Jehovah is living… The One who gathered back IsraEl’s offspring From the lands in the north, And from everywhere else that they had been pushed… And then, He returned them to their own land.’⁹‘But their prophets have broken my heart… Yes, they have rattled my bones. I became like a person who’s broken, Or as one who’s had too much wine Before the face of Jehovah… Before His beautiful, glorious face… ¹⁰For the land is now full of adultery.‘Because of this, the land is in mourning, And all of its pastures have dried. For their race has become wicked and weak, ¹¹And their prophets and priests are corrupt.‘Yes, I saw their wicked ways in My Temple,’ said Jehovah, ¹²‘So I allowed them to slip into darkness, Where they have stumbled and fallen! Then, in the year that I come to visit, I’ll bring more bad things upon them,’ says Jehovah.¹³‘Among Samaria’s prophets, I beheld the violations of [My] Law. For, it was by [a] BaAl that they prophesied To mislead IsraEl, My people.¹⁴‘Then, among the prophets in JeruSalem, I also saw reasons to shudder. For they committed adultery and lied, While shaking hands with the wicked… Not turning their hands from bad ways.‘So, they are like Sodom to Me, And like GomorRah, are the rest of those living there. ¹⁵And because of this,’ says Jehovah to those prophets; ‘{Look!} I will feed you on grief, And bitter water, I’ll give you to drink. For, everywhere throughout the whole land, JeruSalem’s prophets have brought what is foul.’¹⁶‘So, thus says Jehovah the Almighty:‘Don’t listen to the words of those prophets… Those who speak prophecies before you. For their visions prove how foolish they are, And that what they speak just comes from their hearts, Not from the mouth of Jehovah.¹⁷‘They are told by those who have pushed the Lord’s Word aside:‘You will find peace if you’ll follow your hearts… No evil will come to any of those Who follow the delusions in their own hearts.’¹⁸‘O who has stood in the fort of Jehovah… Who has beheld and heard what He said… Yes, who has listened and paid close attention?¹⁹‘Look! A shaking will come from Jehovah… His anger will arrive as a shaking; Then a whirl-wind will come to the godless.²⁰‘But this won’t turn back the rage of Jehovah Until His heart has been satisfied. And they won’t comprehend til their days reach their end.[‘For He said]:²¹‘Although I didn’t send those false prophets, They came to you anyhow. And although I’ve never spoken to them, They have still prophesied.²²‘If they had followed My council And paid attention to what I had said, My people would have turned from their wicked ways.²³‘But, I am a God who is near,’ says Jehovah! ‘I’m not a God who is far away. ²⁴So, what can be hidden [from Me]… What is the secret that I cannot see… Weren’t the heavens and earth filled by Me?’ asks Jehovah,²⁵‘Yet I’ve heard what those prophets have said… Those who speak lies in My Name… Those who say:‘This is what I saw in a dream!’²⁶‘How long will their lies still continue To come from the hearts of those prophets… How long will they prophesy lies, And speak the things that their hearts desire?²⁷‘They’ve come up with ways to forget My Name, Then they use their dreams to describe to their neighbors How [it was really] their fathers That had forgotten My Name, And then turned to the service of [a] BaAl.²⁸‘Let those dreaming prophets describe all their dreams! And let those who say that they have My word Describe what I truly have said!‘As straw is to grain; so are My words,’ says Jehovah.²⁹‘And aren’t My words like the flames of a fire,’ asks the Lord? ‘Aren’t they like an axe that cuts rocks?³⁰‘Look! I am against all those prophets Who steal My words from their neighbors.³¹‘Yes, I am against all those prophets,’ says Jehovah, ‘Who roll prophecies from their tongues, While all they’ve really done is just sleep.³²‘Look, I am against all those prophets Who prophesy from their false dreams; For, they are misleading My people With all their lies and delusions!‘No, I did not really send them, Nor did I tell them to do this… I gave them nothing to bring to these people,’ says Jehovah.³³‘And if you are asked by these people Or if you’re asked by their prophets or priests, ‘What is bothering Jehovah?’ This is what you must tell them:‘What bothers Me is you people, For I’ll beat you down,’ says Jehovah… ³⁴‘You people, you prophets, and priests… You who’ve dared to ask why I’m bothered! So I’ll punish you men along with your homes!’³⁵‘Then each one will be asking his neighbor, And each man will be asking his brother:‘What was Jehovah’s reply… What answer came from the Lord?’³⁶‘But don’t ask Jehovah about this again; For the things that He said should be your concern, ³⁷Since you have twisted His words!’‘So, [in the future, when] those prophets ask, ‘What was said by Jehovah?’ ³⁸Because they’ve spoken these words once again; I’ll send Jehovah’s concerns upon them! For I told them that they shouldn’t be asking What things Jehovah’s concerned with.³⁹‘Yes, because they’ve done this again, I’ll take them and beat them down in this land That I once gave to their fathers. ⁴⁰Throughout the ages, I’ll place scorn upon them… A dishonor that won’t be forgotten.’

¹Well, after NebuChadNezzar (the king of Babylon) had taken JeconiJah (son of JehoiAkim) the king of Judah and the governors from JeruSalem as prisoners and led them into Babylon; the Lord showed me two reed baskets of figs sitting before the Temple of Jehovah. ²The first basket of figs was much fresher and better than the other, for the second basket of figs was so bad that they couldn’t be eaten.³Then the Lord asked me:‘What do you see, JeremiAh?’And I replied:‘Figs… Some are good, but the others are so rotten that they can’t be eaten.’⁴Then the Word of Jehovah came to me and said:⁵‘Jehovah, the God of IsraEl, says this:‘These good figs are like those Judeans Whom I already sent away from this place Into the land of Chaldea.⁶‘I will fix My eyes upon them for good, And I’ll bring them back to this land… I’ll rebuild them and not destroy them again… I’ll plant them and not pluck them up.⁷‘I’ll give them hearts that will know Me… So they’ll realize that I am their Lord. Then they’ll be My people and I’ll be their God, And with their whole hearts, they’ll turn back to Me.⁸‘But, when it comes to those bad figs That no one could possibly eat… Because he has made himself rotten’, says Jehovah, I’ll hand over King ZedekiAh Along with all his great men.‘Then the rest of the people in JeruSalem And those who’ve remained in this land, As well as all those [fleeing to] Egypt, ⁹Will be scattered throughout the whole earth.‘As a parable of hatred, they will be scorned And cursed everywhere that I’ll push them. ¹⁰Upon them, I will bring famine, As well as plagues and the sword, Until they’ve been forced out of this land That I gave to their fathers and them.’