I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Prophet From Anathoth
1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
1These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who lived in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.
The Years Jeremiah Spoke
2To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
2The word of the LORD came to him in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
3It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
3It kept coming in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, and on until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, when Jerusalem was carried away into exile in the fifth month.
Chosen Before Birth
4Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
4Then the word of the LORD came to me. He said,
5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
5"Before I shaped you inside your mother, I already knew you. Before you came out of the womb, I set you apart as holy, and I chose you to be a prophet to the nations."
6Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
6Then I said, "Oh no, Lord GOD! Look, I don't know how to speak. I am just a child."
7But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
7But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am just a child.' You will go to everyone I send you to, and whatever I tell you to say, you will say.
8Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
8Do not be frightened by their faces, because I am with you and I will keep you safe," says the LORD.
Words Placed in His Mouth
9Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
9Then the LORD stretched out his hand and touched my lips. And the LORD said to me, "Look, I have placed my words in your mouth.
10See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
10See, this very day I have put you in charge over nations and kingdoms, to pull up by the roots and to tear down, to wreck and to topple, and then to build and to plant."
The Almond Branch
11Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
11Then the word of the LORD came to me, and he said, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" I answered, "I see a stick from an almond tree."
12Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
12Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen it rightly, for I am going to act quickly to carry out my word."
The Boiling Pot Facing North
13And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
13The word of the LORD came to me a second time: "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a boiling pot, and its face is turned toward the north."
14Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
14Then the LORD said to me, "From the north, trouble will break out against everyone who lives in this land.
15For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
15For look, I am calling every family of the kingdoms of the north," says the LORD. "They will come, and each one will set up his throne in the entrance of Jerusalem's gates, against all the walls around her and against all the cities of Judah.
16And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
16And I will speak my judgments against them for all their wickedness: they have turned away from me, burned incense to other gods, and bowed down to things their own hands have made.
An Iron Pillar and Walls of Bronze
17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
17So tighten your belt, get up, and tell them everything I command you. Do not lose your nerve in front of them, or I will make you lose it right before their eyes.
18For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
18For look, today I have made you like a walled city, an iron pillar, and walls of bronze that stand against the whole land: against Judah's kings, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land.
19And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
19They will fight against you, but they will not beat you, for I am with you," says the LORD, "to keep you safe."
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Kindness of Your Youth
1Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
1Then the word of the LORD came to me. He said,
2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
2"Go and call out for Jerusalem to hear. Say: This is what the LORD says. I remember you, the kindness you showed when you were young, the love you had when we were newly married, how you followed me through the wilderness, through a land where nothing was planted.
3Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
3Israel belonged to the LORD as something holy, the first fruits of his crop. Everyone who tried to swallow him up became guilty, and disaster came on them," says the LORD.
What Wrong Did Your Fathers Find in Me
4Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
4Hear the word of the LORD, house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel.
5Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
5This is what the LORD says: "What wrong did your fathers ever find in me, that they wandered so far away from me and went after empty nothings, until they became empty themselves?
6Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
6They never said, 'Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us across the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and death's shadow, a land where no one travels and where no one makes a home?'
7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
7I brought you into a land full of good things, so you could eat its fruit and enjoy its bounty. But once you came in, you made my land filthy and turned the land I gave you into something disgusting.
8The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
8The priests never asked, 'Where is the LORD?' The experts in the law did not know me. The leaders of the flock sinned against me, the prophets spoke messages from Baal, and they all chased after things that do no good.
Two Evils
9Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead.
9So I will still bring my case against you," says the LORD, "and I will bring it against your children's children too.
10For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
10Cross over to the coastlands of Kittim and look; send to Kedar and think it over carefully. See if anything like this has ever happened.
11Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
11Has any nation ever changed its gods, even though its gods are not gods at all? Yet my people have traded away their glory for something that does no good.
12Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
12Be astonished at this, you heavens; shudder in horror and be left desolate," says the LORD.
13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
13"For my people have done two evil things: they have turned away from me, the fountain of fresh, running water, and they have carved out water tanks for themselves, cracked tanks that hold no water.
Why Has He Been Plundered
14Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
14Is Israel a servant? Was he born a slave in someone's house? Then why has he been robbed of everything?
15The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
15Young lions have roared at him; they have growled loudly and turned his land into a wasteland. His cities are burned and left with no one living in them.
16Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.
16Even the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.
17Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?
17Didn't you bring this on yourself, by turning away from the LORD your God at the very time he was leading you along the road?
18And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
18So now, what business do you have on the road to Egypt, drinking the waters of the Shihor? What business do you have on the road to Assyria, drinking the waters of the great River?
19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
19Your own evil will be your punishment, and your wandering away will be your rebuke. So understand and see how evil and bitter it is that you have turned away from the LORD your God and have no fear of me at all," says the Lord GOD of hosts.
The Wild Vine and the Wild Donkey
20For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
20"Long ago I broke your yoke and snapped your ropes, and you said, 'I will not sin.' But on every high hill and under every leafy tree you wandered off, acting like a prostitute.
21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
21Yet I planted you as the finest vine, grown from thoroughly good seed. So how have you turned into the rotten shoots of a foreign vine before me?
22For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
22Even if you wash yourself with lye and use all the soap you like, your guilt still stands out plainly in front of me," says the Lord GOD.
23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
23"How can you say, 'I am not dirty; I have not chased after the Baals'? Look at your trail through the valley and admit what you have done. You are a fast young camel darting this way and that,
24A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
24a wild donkey used to the wilderness, sniffing the wind whenever she pleases. When her desire is on her, who can turn her back? None who look for her need to wear themselves out; in her month they will find her.
25Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
25Keep your feet from wearing out their shoes and your throat from going dry with thirst. But you said, 'It's hopeless. No! I have loved strangers, and I will keep going after them.'
Gods as Many as Cities
26As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
26Just as a thief is embarrassed when he is caught, so the house of Israel is put to shame: the people, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets,
27Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
27who say to a piece of wood, 'You are my father,' and to a stone, 'You are the one who bore me.' They have turned their backs toward me, not their faces. Yet when trouble comes, they will say, 'Get up and rescue us!'
28But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
28But where are those gods you made for yourself? Let them get up, if they can rescue you when your trouble comes. For you have as many gods as you have cities, Judah.
A Bride Who Forgot Her Jewelry
29Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
29Why do you argue with me? All of you have rebelled against me," says the LORD.
30In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
30"I have struck your children for nothing; they took no correction. Your own sword has eaten up your prophets like a lion tearing its prey.
31O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
31You people of this generation, pay attention to the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, 'We are lords now; we will come to you no more'?
32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
32Can a young girl forget her jewelry, or a bride forget her wedding clothes? Yet my people have forgotten me for more days than can be counted.
Blood on the Hem
33Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
33How well you dress up your path to go looking for love! You have even taught your ways to wicked women.
34Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
34Even on the hem of your clothes the blood of poor, innocent people is found. I did not have to dig in secret to find it; it is out in the open on all of these.
35Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
35Still you say, 'I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me.' Look, I will take you to court, because you say, 'I have not sinned.'
36Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
36Why do you wander around so much, changing your course? Egypt will let you down just as Assyria let you down.
37Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
37Yes, you will walk away from there too with your hands on your head in grief, because the LORD has rejected the ones you trusted, and they will bring you no success."
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Can a Divorced Wife Return
1They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
1People say, "If a man sends his wife away, and she leaves him and becomes another man's wife, can he take her back again? Wouldn't that land be badly defiled?" "But you have played the prostitute with many lovers, and yet come back to me," says the LORD.
2Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
2"Lift your eyes to the bare high places and look: where is there a spot you have not lain with a lover? You sat by the roads waiting for them, like an Arab waiting in the desert. You have made the land filthy with your prostitution and your evil.
3Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
3That is why the rain showers have been kept back and the late rains have not come. And still you wear the hard face of a prostitute; you refuse to feel any shame.
4Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?
4Won't you, from now on, call out to me, 'My Father, you have been the guide of my youth'?
5Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
5'Will he hold on to his anger forever? Will he keep it up to the end?' That is what you say, but meanwhile you have done every evil thing you were able to."
Two Sisters
6The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
6The LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah, "Have you seen what wandering Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every leafy tree, and there she has played the prostitute.
7And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
7After she had done all this, I said, 'Come back to me.' But she did not come back. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
8And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
8And I saw that, because of all the adultery that wandering Israel had committed, I had sent her away and handed her a paper of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah was not afraid; she went off and played the prostitute too.
9And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
9Since she thought so little of her prostitution, she made the land filthy and committed adultery with stones and with blocks of wood.
10And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
10And even after all of this, her treacherous sister Judah has not come back to me with her whole heart; she has only pretended to," says the LORD.
A Word Sent Northward
11And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
11The LORD said to me, "Wandering Israel has shown herself less guilty than treacherous Judah.
12Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
12Go and proclaim these words toward the north: Come back, wandering Israel," says the LORD. "I will not let my anger fall on you, for I am merciful," says the LORD. "I will not stay angry forever.
13Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
13Only admit what you have done wrong: that you rebelled against the LORD your God, that you ran here and there to strangers under every leafy tree, and that you people have not listened to my voice," says the LORD.
Return, and I Am Your Husband
14Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
14"Come back, you wandering children," says the LORD, "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
15I will give you shepherds whose hearts are like mine, and they will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
16And in those days, when you have grown and multiplied in the land," says the LORD, "people will no longer talk about 'the ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It will not come to mind; they will not remember it or go looking for it, and it will not be made again.
17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
17At that time Jerusalem will be called the throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, at Jerusalem. And they will no longer live by the plans of their own evil hearts.
18In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
18In those days the house of Judah will walk alongside the house of Israel, and the two of them will come together out of the land in the north to the land that I gave to your fathers to be their own.
The Son Who Would Not Stay
19But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
19But I said, 'How I would love to count you among my children and give you a delightful land, the loveliest possession of all the nations!' And I said, 'You will call me My Father, and you will not turn away from me.'
20Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.
20But just as a wife betrays her husband and leaves him, so you have betrayed me, house of Israel," says the LORD.
Weeping on the Bare Heights
21A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.
21A sound is heard on the bare high places: the people of Israel weeping and begging, because they have twisted their path and forgotten the LORD their God.
22Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
22"Come back, you wandering children, and I will heal your wandering." "Look, here we come to you, for you are the LORD our God.
23Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.
23Truly, it was useless to hope for rescue from the hills and from all the noise on the mountains. Truly, the rescue of Israel is found in the LORD our God.
24For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
24Ever since we were young, that shameful thing has swallowed up all our fathers worked for: their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
25We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.
25We lie down covered in shame, and our disgrace is like a blanket over us, for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers before us, from the time we were young until this very day, and we have not listened to the voice of the LORD our God."
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Break Up Your Fallow Ground
1If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
1"If you will come back, Israel," says the LORD, "then come back to me. If you will take your disgusting idols out of my sight, then you will not be driven away.
2And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
2And you will swear, 'As the LORD lives,' truthfully, justly, and rightly. Then the nations will find blessing in him, and in him they will take their pride."
3For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
3For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: "Plow up your hard, untouched soil, and do not plant seed among thorns.
4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; cut away the hardness of your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. If you don't, my fury will break out like fire and burn with no one able to put it out, because of the evil things you have done."
Blow the Trumpet in the Land
5Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.
5Tell it in Judah and make it known in Jerusalem. Say, "Sound the trumpet all through the land!" Call out loudly and say, "Come together, and let us get into the walled cities!"
6Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
6Put up the signal pointing to Zion. Get to safety; do not stand still! For I am bringing trouble from the north, a great smashing.
7The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
7The lion has come up out of his thicket; the one who destroys nations is on his way. He has gone out from his place to turn your land into a wasteland; your cities will be left in ruins, with no one living in them.
8For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.
8Because of this, wrap yourselves in sackcloth; cry out and wail, for the burning anger of the LORD has not turned back from us.
A Scorching Wind
9And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
9"And on that day," says the LORD, "the king's courage will fail, and so will the courage of the princes. The priests will be stunned, and the prophets will be left wondering."
10Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.
10Then I said, "Oh no, Lord GOD! Surely you have let this people and Jerusalem be terribly misled with the message 'You will have peace,' while the sword reaches all the way to their lives."
11At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
11At that time this people and Jerusalem will be told, "A hot, dry wind is coming from the bare heights of the desert toward the daughter of my people, not the kind of wind that separates grain or cleans it,
12Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.
12but a wind far too strong for that will come from those places at my command. Now I myself will give my verdict against them."
Watchers From a Far Country
13Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.
13Look, he is rising up like storm clouds; his chariots are like a whirlwind, and his horses run faster than eagles. How terrible for us, for we are plundered!
14O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
14Jerusalem, wash your heart clean of wickedness so that you may be saved. How long will your worthless thoughts stay lodged inside you?
15For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.
15For a voice is calling out from Dan, and bad news is being spread from the hill country of Ephraim.
16Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
16Report it to the nations; announce it about Jerusalem: men to surround her are coming from a land far away, shouting their war cry against the cities of Judah.
17As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
17"Like watchmen around a field, they close in on her from every side, because she has rebelled against me," says the LORD.
18Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
18"Your own path and your own doings have brought these things on you. This is your wickedness; it is bitter, and it has reached all the way to your heart."
My Bowels, My Bowels
19My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
19My insides, my insides! I am in agony to the depths of my heart. My heart is beating wildly inside me; I cannot stay quiet, because you, my soul, have heard the trumpet sound, the alarm of war.
20Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
20One crash of ruin is shouted after another, for the whole land is plundered. Suddenly my tents are torn down, my tent curtains in a single moment.
21How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
21How long must I keep watching the war banner and hearing the trumpet blast?
22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
22"For my people are foolish; they have not known me. They are dull-witted children without any understanding. They are wise when it comes to doing wrong, but they do not know how to do right."
Without Form, and Void
23I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
23I looked at the earth, and there it was, shapeless and empty; and at the skies, and they had no light.
24I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
24I looked at the mountains, and there they were, shaking, and every hill rocked back and forth.
25I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
25I looked, and there was no one there at all, and all the birds of the sky had fled.
26I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.
26I looked, and the rich farmland had become a wilderness, and all its cities had been smashed down at the presence of the LORD, by his burning anger.
Yet Not a Full End
27For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
27For this is what the LORD has said: "The whole land will be left desolate, and yet I will not bring it to a complete end.
28For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
28Because of this the earth will grieve and the sky above will turn dark, for I have said it and I have decided it. I will not feel sorry about it, and I will not turn back from it."
29The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
29The whole city runs away at the noise of the riders and the bowmen. They go off into the thickets and climb up onto the rocks. Every city is abandoned, and not one person is left living in them.
30And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
30And you, when you are plundered, what will you do? Though you dress yourself in crimson, though you put on gold ornaments, though you paint your eyes wide with makeup, you make yourself pretty for nothing. Those who loved you now look down on you; they are out to take your life.
31For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
31For I have heard a sound like a woman in labor, distress like a woman having her first baby: the voice of the daughter of Zion, crying out in pain, holding out her hands, and saying, "Oh, how terrible for me! My strength is gone because of these killers."
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Find One Honest Man
1Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
1"Run up and down through the streets of Jerusalem; look now and learn, and search her open squares. See if you can find a single man who does what is just and looks for the truth, and I will pardon the city.
2And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
2And even though they say, 'As the LORD lives,' they are surely taking a false oath."
3O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
3O LORD, aren't your eyes fixed on the truth? You have struck them, but it did not grieve them; you have worn them down, but they refuse to take correction. They have set their faces harder than rock; they refuse to turn back.
4Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
4So I said, "These must be only the poor and simple people; they are foolish, because they do not know the LORD's way or what their God has decided is right.
5I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
5I will go to the great men and talk with them, because they know the LORD's way and what their God has decided is right." But these men, every one of them, had broken the yoke and snapped the straps.
6Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
6That is why a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf of the evening will ravage them, and a leopard will keep watch over their cities. Whoever goes out of them will be ripped apart, because their sins are so many and their wanderings away have multiplied.
Fed Horses in the Morning
7How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.
7"How could I pardon you for this? Your children have turned their backs on me and taken oaths by things that are no gods. When I fed them until they were full, they committed adultery and gathered in crowds at the prostitutes' houses.
8They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour’s wife.
8They were like well-fed horses in the morning, each one neighing after his neighbor's wife.
9Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
9Should I not deal with them for these things?" says the LORD. "Should I not take my revenge on a nation like this?
They Have Denied the LORD
10Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD’s.
10Go up onto her walls and tear them down, but do not make a complete end of her. Take away her battlements, for they do not belong to the LORD.
11For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.
11For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have betrayed me completely," says the LORD.
12They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
12They have told lies about the LORD, saying, "It isn't him. No trouble will come to us; we will see neither sword nor famine.
13And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
13The prophets will turn out to be nothing but wind, and the word is not in them. So let it be done to them!"
A Nation Whose Language You Do Not Know
14Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
14So this is what the LORD God of hosts says: "Because you people talk this way, look, I will make my words in your mouth like fire and this people like firewood, and it will burn them up.
15Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
15Look, I am bringing a nation against you from far away, house of Israel," says the LORD. "It is a powerful nation, a nation from long ago, a nation whose language you do not know and whose words you cannot understand.
16Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.
16Their quiver of arrows is like an open tomb; every one of them is a mighty fighter.
17And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.
17They will eat your harvest and your bread, the food your sons and daughters should have had. They will eat your flocks and your herds; they will eat your vines and your fig trees. With the sword they will strip bare the walled cities you were counting on.
18Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
18Even so, in those days," says the LORD, "I will not bring you to a complete end.
19And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.
19And when you ask, 'Why has the LORD our God done all these things to us?' this is how you will answer them: 'Just as you turned away from me and served foreign gods in your own land, so you will serve foreigners in a land that does not belong to you.'
Eyes That Do Not See
20Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,
20Announce this in the house of Jacob, and make it known in Judah. Say:
21Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
21Listen to this, you foolish people without sense: you have eyes, yet you do not see; you have ears, yet you do not hear.
22Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
22Do you not fear me?" says the LORD. "Do you not tremble in my presence? I am the one who put down the sand as the sea's border by a decree that lasts forever, so it cannot cross it. Its waves may toss themselves about, but they cannot win; they may roar, but they cannot get over it.
23But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
23But this people has a heart that revolts and rebels; they have turned aside and walked off.
24Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
24They never say in their hearts, 'Let us now fear the LORD our God, who sends the rain, the early rain and the late rain, each at its proper time, and who keeps for us the set weeks of harvest.'
25Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
25Your wrongdoing has turned these blessings away; your sins have held good things back from you.
Traps Set for Men
26For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
26For wicked men are found among my people. They lurk like a hunter setting snares; they lay a trap, and it is people they catch.
27As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
27As a cage is packed with birds, so their houses are packed with what they got by cheating. That is how they have grown great and wealthy.
28They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
28They have grown fat and glossy. Yes, they go beyond even the deeds of the wicked. They do not judge the case, the case of the fatherless, and still they prosper; they do not uphold the rights of the needy.
29Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
29Should I not deal with them for these things?" says the LORD. "Should I not take my revenge on a nation like this?
30A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
30Something astonishing and horrible has been done in the land:
31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
31the prophets speak false messages, the priests take charge on the strength of them, and my people like it that way. But what will you do when it all comes to an end?"
VI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Flee, Children of Benjamin
1O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
1People of Benjamin, gather together and run from the middle of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and light a signal fire at Beth-haccerem, because disaster is coming out of the north, and terrible destruction.
2I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
2I have compared the daughter of Zion to a lovely and delicate woman.
3The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place.
3Shepherds with their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents all around her, and each one will graze his animals in his own spot.
4Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
4"Get ready for war against her! Get up, let's attack at noon." "Oh no, the day is slipping away, and the evening shadows are stretching out."
5Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
5"Get up, then, and let's go by night and tear down her palaces."
Cast a Mount Against Jerusalem
6For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
6For this is what the LORD of hosts has said: "Cut down trees and pile up a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished; she is full of oppression from one end to the other.
7As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.
7Just as a spring keeps pouring out its water, she keeps pouring out her wickedness. Violence and robbery are heard in her; sickness and wounds are always in front of me.
8Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
8Take the warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make you a wasteland, a land where no one lives."
Gleaning the Last Grapes
9Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.
9This is what the LORD of hosts says: "They will pick over the survivors of Israel the way a vine is picked clean. Run your hand over the branches again, like a grape picker filling his baskets."
10To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
10Who can I speak to and warn so that they will listen? Look, their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is an insult to them; they take no pleasure in it.
11Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
11So I am full of the LORD's fury, and I am tired of holding it in. "Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together, for husbands will be taken along with their wives, and the old along with the very old.
12And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
12Their houses will be handed over to others, along with their fields and their wives, because I will stretch out my hand against the people who live in this land," says the LORD.
Peace, Peace, When There Is No Peace
13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
13"From the least of them to the greatest, every one is greedy for gain; from the prophet to the priest, every one deals dishonestly.
14They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
14They have treated the wound of my people as though it were nothing, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.
15Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
15Were they ashamed when they did such disgusting things? No, they were not ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. So they will fall along with the fallen; when I punish them, they will be brought down," says the LORD.
Ask for the Old Paths
16Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
16This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good road is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." But they said, "We will not walk in it."
17Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
17"I also set watchmen over you and said, 'Listen for the sound of the trumpet.' But they said, 'We will not listen.'
18Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
18So hear this, you nations; understand, you assembly, what is going to happen to them.
19Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
19Hear, O earth: I am going to bring disaster on this people, the very fruit of their own schemes, because they have not listened to my words, and they have rejected my law.
20To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
20What good is it to me that incense comes from Sheba and sweet cane from a faraway land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices do not please me."
21Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
21So this is what the LORD says: "I am going to put stumbling blocks in front of this people. Fathers and sons will trip over them together; neighbors and friends will perish."
A People From the North Country
22Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
22This is what the LORD says: "Look, a people is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up from the far ends of the earth.
23They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
23They grip bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, lined up like men ready for battle against you, daughter of Zion."
24We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
24We have heard the report of them, and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like a woman in labor.
25Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
25Do not go out into the field or walk along the road, because the enemy has a sword, and terror is on every side.
26O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
26My people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn as you would for an only son, with the bitterest weeping, because the destroyer will be upon us before we know it.
Reprobate Silver
27I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
27"I have made you a tester of metals and a fortress among my people, so that you may know and test their ways.
28They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
28They are all stubborn rebels, going around spreading slander. They are bronze and iron; every one of them is corrupt.
29The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
29The bellows blow hard, and the lead is burned away by the fire, but the refiner works for nothing, because the wicked are not removed.
30Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
30People will call them rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them."
VII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Sermon at the Temple Gate
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
2"Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and announce this message there. Say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD.
3Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.
3This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Change your ways and your actions, and I will let you keep living in this place.
4Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.
4Do not trust in lying words that say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!"
5For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;
5For if you truly change your ways and your actions, if you truly deal fairly between a man and his neighbor,
6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
6if you do not take advantage of the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and do not follow other gods to your own harm,
7Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
7then I will let you keep living in this place, in the land I gave to your ancestors forever and ever.
A Den of Robbers
8Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
8But look, you are trusting in lying words that are worth nothing.
9Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
9Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods you have never known,
10And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
10and then come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, "We are safe," only to keep doing all these disgusting things?
11Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
11Has this house that bears my name become a den of robbers in your eyes? Well, I have seen it myself, says the LORD.
Go and Look at Shiloh
12But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.
12Go now to my place that was in Shiloh, where I first made my name to dwell, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel.
13And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;
13And now, because you have done all these things, says the LORD, and though I spoke to you again and again, you did not listen, and though I called you, you did not answer,
14Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
14I will do to this house that bears my name, the house you trust in, and to the place I gave to you and your ancestors, exactly what I did to Shiloh.
15And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.
15And I will throw you out of my sight, just as I threw out all your relatives, the whole family of Ephraim.'
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
16Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
16"As for you, do not pray for this people. Do not lift up a cry or a prayer for them, and do not plead with me, because I will not listen to you.
17Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
17Don't you see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
18The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
18The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods just to make me angry.
19Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
19But am I the one they are hurting? says the LORD. Aren't they really hurting themselves, to their own shame?
20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
20So this is what the Lord GOD says: My anger and my fury will be poured out on this place, on people and animals, on the trees of the field and the crops of the ground. It will burn and will not be put out.
Obedience, Not Sacrifice
21Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.
21"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves!
22For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
22For when I brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to them or give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices.
23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
23This is what I commanded them: Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, so that it will go well for you.
24But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
24But they did not listen or pay attention. Instead they followed their own plans and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and they went backward instead of forward.
25Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:
25From the day your ancestors came out of the land of Egypt until today, I have kept sending you all my servants the prophets, day after day, again and again.
26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.
26Yet they did not listen to me or pay attention. They stiffened their necks and behaved worse than their ancestors.
A Nation That Will Not Listen
27Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.
27"So you will tell them all these things, but they will not listen to you. You will call to them, but they will not answer you.
28But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
28Then you will say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the voice of the LORD its God and will not accept correction. Truth has died; it has vanished from their lips.'
29Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
29Cut off your hair, Jerusalem, and throw it away. Raise a song of grief on the bare hills, for the LORD has rejected and abandoned the generation that stirred his anger.
Topheth and the Valley of Slaughter
30For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
30"For the people of Judah have done evil in my sight, says the LORD. They have set up their disgusting idols in the house that bears my name and made it unclean.
31And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.
31They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom, to burn their sons and daughters in the fire, something I never commanded and never even thought of.
32Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.
32So watch out, says the LORD, the days are coming when it will no longer be called Topheth or the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter, because they will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no room left.
33And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.
33The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the earth, and no one will scare them away.
34Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.
34I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, because the land will become a ruin."
VIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Bones Spread Before the Host of Heaven
1At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:
1"At that time, says the LORD, the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of its officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be brought out of their graves.
2And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.
2They will be spread out before the sun, the moon, and all the stars of the sky, which they loved and served and followed and sought and worshiped. The bones will not be gathered up or buried again; they will lie like manure on the ground.
3And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.
3And everyone left from this evil family, in all the places where I have scattered them, will wish for death instead of life, says the LORD of hosts.
Even the Stork Knows Her Season
4Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?
4"Tell them this: This is what the LORD says: When people fall down, don't they get up again? When someone turns away, doesn't he come back?
5Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
5Then why do these people of Jerusalem keep turning away, backsliding forever? They cling to lies; they refuse to come back.
6I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
6I have listened carefully, but they do not say what is right. No one is sorry for his wickedness, asking, 'What have I done?' Each one runs off on his own course, like a horse charging into battle.
7Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
7Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons, and the dove, the crane, and the swallow keep to the times of their migration. But my people do not know what the LORD requires.
Peace, Peace, When There Is No Peace
8How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.
8"How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us'? Look, the lying pen of the scribes has turned it into a lie.
9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?
9The wise will be put to shame; they will be shaken and trapped. They have rejected the word of the LORD, so what kind of wisdom do they really have?
10Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
10So I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners, because from the least of them to the greatest, every one is greedy for gain; from the prophet to the priest, every one deals dishonestly.
11For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
11They have treated the wound of my people as though it were nothing, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.
12Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
12Were they ashamed when they did such disgusting things? No, they were not ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. So they will fall along with the fallen; when their time of punishment comes, they will be brought down, says the LORD.
The Horses Heard from Dan
13I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
13"I will take everything away from them, says the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine and no figs on the fig tree; even the leaves will wither, and what I gave them will be taken from them."
14Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
14Why are we just sitting here? Gather together and let's go into the fortified cities and wait quietly there, for the LORD our God has silenced us and given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
15We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!
15We hoped for peace, but nothing good came; we hoped for a time of healing, but instead there is terror.
16The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.
16The snorting of the enemy's horses is heard from Dan; the whole land shakes at the neighing of his stallions. They have come and eaten up the land and everything in it, the city and everyone who lives there.
17For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
17"Look, I am sending poisonous snakes among you, snakes that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you," says the LORD.
Is There No Balm in Gilead
18When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.
18When I try to comfort myself in my sorrow, my heart grows faint inside me.
19Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?
19Listen to the cry of my people from a land far away: "Isn't the LORD in Zion? Isn't her King there?" "Why have they made me angry with their carved idols and their worthless foreign gods?"
20The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
20"The harvest is over, the summer has ended, and we are still not saved."
21For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
21Because my people are crushed, I am crushed too. I go about in mourning; horror has taken hold of me.
22Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
22Is there no healing ointment in Gilead? Is there no doctor there? Then why have my people not been healed?
IX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Oh That My Head Were Waters
1Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
1Oh, if only my head were a pool of water and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I could weep day and night for my people who have been killed!
2Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
2Oh, if only I had a travelers' shelter out in the desert, so I could leave my people and get away from them! For they are all unfaithful, a crowd of traitors.
3And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
3"They bend their tongues like bows to shoot lies, and they have grown strong in the land, but not for the truth. They go from one evil to the next, and they do not know me," says the LORD.
4Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.
4"Watch out for your neighbors, and do not trust even your brothers, for every brother is a cheat, and every neighbor goes around spreading slander.
5And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
5Each one deceives his neighbor, and no one tells the truth. They have trained their tongues to lie, and they wear themselves out doing wrong.
6Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.
6You live in the middle of deception, and in their deception they refuse to know me," says the LORD.
I Will Melt Them and Test Them
7Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?
7So this is what the LORD of hosts says: "I will melt them down and test them, for what else can I do because of my people?
8Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.
8Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit. With his mouth a man speaks kindly to his neighbor, but in his heart he is setting a trap for him.
9Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
9Should I not punish them for these things?" says the LORD. "Should I not take revenge on a nation like this?"
10For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.
10I will weep and wail for the mountains and cry a lament over the pastures of the wilderness, because they are burned up and no one passes through them. The lowing of cattle is not heard; the birds of the sky and the animals have fled and are gone.
11And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
11"I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a home for jackals, and I will make the towns of Judah a wasteland where no one lives."
Why the Land Is Burned Up
12Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
12Who is wise enough to understand this? Who has the LORD spoken to, so that he can explain it? Why has the land been ruined and burned up like a desert that no one crosses?
13And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
13The LORD says, "It is because they have abandoned my law, which I set before them. They have not obeyed my voice or followed it.
14But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:
14Instead they have followed the stubbornness of their own hearts and gone after the Baals, as their ancestors taught them."
15Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
15So this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "I am going to feed this people bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink.
16I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
16I will scatter them among nations that neither they nor their ancestors have known, and I will send the sword after them until I have wiped them out."
Call for the Mourning Women
17Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:
17This is what the LORD of hosts says: "Think about it! Call for the women who mourn for a living, and send for the most skilled of them.
18And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
18Let them come quickly and raise a wail over us, so that our eyes overflow with tears and our eyelids stream with water.
19For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.
19For the sound of wailing is heard from Zion: 'How ruined we are! How deeply ashamed! We have had to leave our land, because our homes have been torn down.'"
20Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.
20Now hear the word of the LORD, you women; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail, and teach one another a song of grief.
21For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.
21For death has climbed in through our windows and entered our palaces, to take the children from the streets and the young men from the town squares.
22Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.
22Say, "This is what the LORD says: The dead bodies of men will fall like manure on the open field, like grain left behind the reaper, and no one will gather them up."
Let Him Glory in Knowing the LORD
23Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
23This is what the LORD says: "Let the wise man not boast in his wisdom, let the strong man not boast in his strength, and let the rich man not boast in his riches.
24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
24But let anyone who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who shows faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, because these are the things I delight in," says the LORD.
Uncircumcised in Heart
25Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
25"Watch out," says the LORD, "the days are coming when I will punish all who are circumcised in body only:
26Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
26Egypt, Judah, Edom, the Ammonites, Moab, and all the desert people who trim the hair at their temples. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart."
X
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A God Cut Out of a Tree
1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
1Hear the word the LORD speaks to you, house of Israel.
2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
2This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations, and do not be terrified by signs in the sky, even though the nations are terrified by them.
3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
3The customs of the peoples are worthless. A man cuts a tree from the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his axe.
4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
4They decorate it with silver and gold and fasten it down with hammer and nails so it will not topple over.
5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
5These idols stand stiff as a scarecrow in a cucumber patch, and they cannot speak. They have to be carried, because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them; they cannot hurt you, and they cannot do any good either."
There Is None Like Thee
6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
6There is no one like you, O LORD. You are great, and your name is great in power.
7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
7Who would not fear you, King of the nations? That honor belongs to you. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.
8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
8They are all senseless and foolish; their teaching comes from a piece of wood, and it is worthless.
9Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
9Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz, shaped by the craftsman and the hands of the metalworker. The idols are dressed in blue and purple, all of them made by skilled workers.
10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
10But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. When he is angry, the earth trembles, and the nations cannot stand up under his fury.
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
11Tell them this: "The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth will vanish from the earth and from under these heavens."
12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
12He made the earth by his power; he set the world in place by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
13When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
13When he speaks, the waters in the sky roar. He makes the clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings the wind out of his storehouses.
14Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
14Every person is senseless and without knowledge; every metalworker is put to shame by his idol, for his cast image is a lie, and there is no breath in it.
15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
15They are worthless, objects of mockery; when their time of punishment comes, they will perish.
16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.
16The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe he has claimed as his own. The LORD of hosts is his name.
Gather Up Thy Wares
17Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
17Gather up your belongings and get out of the land, you who live under siege.
18For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.
18For this is what the LORD says: "This time I am going to hurl out the people who live in this land, and I will bring distress on them so that they will feel it."
My Tent Is Spoiled
19Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
19How terrible for me because of my injury! My wound will not heal. But I said, "This is truly my sickness, and I must bear it."
20My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
20My tent is destroyed, and all its ropes are snapped. My children have gone away from me, and they are no more. There is no one left to pitch my tent again or to hang its curtains.
21For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
21For the shepherds have become senseless and have not sought the LORD. That is why they have not succeeded, and all their flocks are scattered.
22Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
22Listen! The news is coming: a great uproar from the land of the north, to make the towns of Judah a wasteland, a home for jackals.
Correct Me, But With Judgment
23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
23O LORD, I know that a person's way is not his own; it is not in a person who walks to direct his own steps.
24O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
24Correct me, O LORD, but with fairness, not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing.
25Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
25Pour out your fury on the nations that do not know you and on the families that do not call on your name. For they have swallowed up Jacob; they have devoured him and finished him off and left his home in ruins.
XI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hear the Words of This Covenant
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
2"Listen to the words of this covenant, and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem.
3And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
3Say to them, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the words of this covenant,
4Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
4which I commanded your ancestors on the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace. I said, "Obey my voice and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God.
5That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.
5Then I will keep the promise I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, the land you have today."'" And I answered, "So be it, O LORD."
6Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
6Then the LORD said to me, "Announce all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: 'Listen to the words of this covenant and do them.
7For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
7For I solemnly warned your ancestors on the day I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, and I have kept warning them until today, again and again, saying, "Obey my voice."
8Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not.
8Yet they did not obey or pay attention. Instead each of them followed the stubbornness of his own evil heart. So I brought on them everything this covenant threatened, the covenant I commanded them to keep, but they did not keep it.'"
A Conspiracy in Judah
9And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
9Then the LORD said to me, "A conspiracy has been discovered among the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem.
10They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
10They have gone back to the sins of their ancestors, who refused to listen to my words, and they have followed other gods and served them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their ancestors.
11Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.
11So this is what the LORD says: I am going to bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. They will cry out to me, but I will not listen to them.
12Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
12Then the towns of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods they burn incense to, but those gods will not save them at all when trouble comes.
13For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
13For you have as many gods as you have towns, Judah, and you have set up as many altars to that shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal, as there are streets in Jerusalem.
The Green Olive Tree Set on Fire
14Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.
14"As for you, do not pray for this people. Do not lift up a cry or a prayer for them, for I will not listen when they call to me in their time of trouble.
15What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
15What right does my beloved have in my house, when she has done such shameful things with so many? Can holy meat turn your punishment aside? When you do evil, you celebrate.
16The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
16The LORD once called you a green olive tree, beautiful and full of good fruit. But with the roar of a mighty storm he has set it on fire, and its branches are broken.
17For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.
17The LORD of hosts, who planted you, has decreed disaster for you, because of the evil the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done. They have brought it on themselves by making me angry, burning incense to Baal."
Like a Lamb Led to the Slaughter
18And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.
18The LORD let me know what they were doing, and so I knew it; then you showed me what they were up to.
19But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
19I had been like a gentle lamb or an ox led to the slaughter. I did not know they were making plans against me: "Let's destroy the tree and its fruit; let's cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name is never remembered again."
20But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
20But, O LORD of hosts, you judge rightly; you test the heart and the mind. Let me see your vengeance on them, for I have laid my case before you.
The Men of Anathoth
21Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
21So this is what the LORD says about the men of Anathoth, who want to kill you and say, "Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hands."
22Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:
22This is what the LORD of hosts says: "I am going to punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, and their sons and daughters will die of hunger.
23And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.
23None of them will be left, for I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment."
XII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Why Does the Way of the Wicked Prosper
1Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
1LORD, you are always in the right whenever I bring a case to you. Still, let me talk with you about the way you rule. Why does the way of the wicked succeed? Why do all the people who deal so treacherously live at ease?
2Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
2You planted them, and they have taken root. They grow, and they even bear fruit. You are close to their lips but far from their hearts.
3But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
3But you, LORD, know me. You have seen me and tested how my heart stands toward you. Drag them off like sheep for slaughter and set them apart for the day of killing.
4How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.
4How long must the land mourn and the plants in every field wither because of the wickedness of the people who live there? The animals and the birds are dying, because the people said, "He will never see what becomes of us."
If Thou Hast Run With the Footmen
5If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
5"If you have raced against men on foot and they have worn you out, how will you compete with horses? If you feel safe only in a land of peace, what will you do in the thickets along the Jordan?
6For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
6"Even your own brothers and your father's household have betrayed you. Yes, even they have raised a crowd to shout after you. Do not trust them, even when they speak kindly to you.
I Have Forsaken Mine House
7I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
7"I have left my house; I have abandoned my inheritance. I have handed the one my soul loves dearly over to her enemies.
8Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
8"My inheritance has become to me like a lion in the forest; she roars against me, and so I have come to hate her.
9Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
9"Is my inheritance to me like a speckled bird, with the other birds circling around to attack her? Come, gather all the wild animals; bring them to devour.
10Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
10"Many shepherds have ruined my vineyard. They have trampled my field underfoot; they have turned my lovely field into a desolate wasteland.
11They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
11"They have made it a desolation, and in its desolation it mourns before me. The whole land is laid waste, because nobody takes it to heart.
12The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.
12"Destroyers have come over every bare hill in the wilderness, for the sword of the LORD devours from one end of the land to the other. No living thing has peace.
13They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
13"They have sown wheat but will reap thorns. They have worn themselves out and gained nothing. So be ashamed of your harvests, because of the fierce anger of the LORD."
A Word to the Evil Neighbours
14Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
14This is what the LORD says about all my wicked neighbors who lay hands on the inheritance I gave to my people Israel: "Look, I will uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.
15And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
15"But after I have uprooted them, I will turn back and have compassion on them, and I will bring each of them home again, every one to his own inheritance and every one to his own land.
16And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
16"And if they will carefully learn the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives,' just as they once taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be established among my people.
17But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.
17"But if they will not listen, then I will completely uproot that nation and destroy it," says the LORD.
XIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Belt Buried by the River
1Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.
1This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and buy yourself a linen belt, put it around your waist, and do not let it touch water."
2So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins.
2So I bought a belt, as the LORD had told me, and put it around my waist.
3And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,
3Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time:
4Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.
4"Take the belt you bought, the one around your waist, and get up, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a crack in the rocks."
5So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.
5So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the LORD had commanded me.
6And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
6Many days later the LORD said to me, "Get up, go to the Euphrates, and get the belt I told you to hide there."
7Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.
7So I went to the Euphrates, dug it up, and took the belt from the place where I had hidden it. And look, the belt was ruined; it was good for nothing.
What the Belt Meant
8Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
8Then the word of the LORD came to me:
9Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.
9"This is what the LORD says: In just this way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
10This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.
10"These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts and chase after other gods to serve and worship them, will be just like this belt, good for nothing.
11For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
11"For just as a belt clings to a man's waist, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me," says the LORD, "so that they might be my people, bringing me fame, praise, and honor. But they would not listen.
Every Jar Filled With Wine
12Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?
12"So give them this message: This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Every wine jar will be filled with wine. And they will say to you, 'Don't we already know that every wine jar will be filled with wine?'
13Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
13"Then tell them, This is what the LORD says: Look, I am going to fill everyone who lives in this land with drunkenness, the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and everyone who lives in Jerusalem.
14And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.
14"And I will smash them against one another, fathers and sons together," says the LORD. "I will not pity them or spare them or show mercy; I will destroy them."
Give Glory Before the Darkness
15Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
15Listen and pay attention. Do not be proud, for the LORD has spoken.
16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
16Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening mountains. You hope for light, but he will turn it to deep gloom and make it thick darkness.
17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock is carried away captive.
17But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will weep bitterly and overflow with tears, because the LORD's flock is being carried off into captivity.
A Word to the King and the Queen Mother
18Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.
18Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Come down from your thrones and sit low, for your splendid crowns have fallen from your heads."
19The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
19The cities of the south will be shut tight, with no one to open them. All Judah will be carried into exile, carried away completely.
The Leopard's Spots
20Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
20Lift up your eyes and look at those coming from the north. Where is the flock that was given to you, your beautiful flock?
21What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?
21What will you say when he sets over you the very ones you trained to be your close friends? Won't pain grip you like a woman in labor?
22And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.
22And if you ask yourself, "Why has all this happened to me?" it is because of your enormous guilt that your skirts have been pulled up and your body exposed.
23Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
23Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin, or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good, you who are so used to doing evil.
Scattered Like Stubble
24Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
24"So I will scatter you like straw blown away by the desert wind.
25This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
25"This is your lot, the share I have measured out for you," says the LORD, "because you have forgotten me and trusted in lies.
26Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.
26"So I myself will pull your skirts up over your face, and your shame will be seen.
27I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?
27"I have seen your adultery and your lustful neighing, your shameless prostitution, and your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. How terrible for you, Jerusalem! Will you never be clean? How long will it be?"
XIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Land Without Rain
1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
1This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah about the drought.
2Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
2Judah mourns, and her city gates waste away. Her people sit in mourning on the ground, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
3And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
3The nobles send their servants for water. They come to the cisterns and find none, and go back with their jars empty. Ashamed and dismayed, they cover their heads.
4Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
4Because the ground is cracked, since no rain has fallen on the land, the farmers are ashamed and cover their heads.
5Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.
5Even the deer in the field gives birth and then abandons her fawn, because there is no grass.
6And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.
6The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills panting for air like jackals. Their eyes grow dim, because there is nothing green to eat.
A Plea From the People
7O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
7LORD, even though our sins speak against us, act for the honor of your name. Our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
8O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
8Hope of Israel, its Savior in times of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who only stops to spend the night?
9Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
9Why should you be like a man caught off guard, like a warrior who cannot save anyone? Yet you, LORD, are right here among us, and we bear your name. Do not leave us.
Do Not Pray for This People
10Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
10This is what the LORD says about these people: "They love to wander this way and that; they never hold back their feet. So the LORD takes no pleasure in them. Now he will remember their guilt and punish their sins."
11Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
11Then the LORD said to me, "Do not pray for the good of these people.
12When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
12"When they fast, I will not listen to their cry. When they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off with the sword, with famine, and with disease."
The Prophets Who Promised Peace
13Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
13Then I said, "Oh, Lord GOD! Look, the prophets keep telling them, 'You will not see the sword, and you will not go hungry. I will give you lasting peace in this place.'"
14Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
14Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them; I gave them no commands and never spoke to them. They are giving you false visions, worthless fortune-telling, and the inventions of their own minds.
15Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
15"So this is what the LORD says about the prophets who prophesy in my name even though I did not send them, who keep saying, 'No sword or famine will touch this land': those very prophets will die by sword and famine.
16And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
16"And the people they prophesy to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. There will be no one to bury them, or their wives, or their sons, or their daughters, for I will pour their own wickedness back on them.
Tears Night and Day
17Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
17"Say this to them: Let my eyes stream with tears night and day without stopping, for the virgin daughter of my people has been shattered by a terrible wound, a crushing blow.
18If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
18"If I go out into the fields, I see people cut down by the sword. If I go into the city, I see people wasting away from hunger. Yes, both prophet and priest wander into a land they do not know."
Remember Your Covenant
19Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!
19Have you completely rejected Judah? Do you loathe Zion? Why have you struck us so that there is no healing for us? We hoped for peace, but nothing good came; we hoped for a time of healing, but here is only terror.
20We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.
20LORD, we admit our wickedness and the guilt of our ancestors; we have sinned against you.
21Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
21For the honor of your name, do not despise us; do not disgrace the throne of your glory. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.
22Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
22Can any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Can the skies send showers on their own? No, it is you, LORD our God. So we will wait for you, for you are the one who made all these things.
XV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Not Even Moses or Samuel
1Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
1Then the LORD said to me, "Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me pleading, my heart would not go out to these people. Send them away from my presence and let them go!
2And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.
2"And if they ask you, 'Where should we go?' tell them, This is what the LORD says: Those marked for death, to death; those marked for the sword, to the sword; those marked for famine, to famine; and those marked for captivity, to captivity.
3And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
3"I will send four kinds of destroyers against them," says the LORD, "the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the wild animals to devour and destroy.
4And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
4"I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.
No One to Ask How She Is
5For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?
5"Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve for you? Who will stop to ask how you are doing?
6Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
6"You have abandoned me," says the LORD. "You keep turning your back on me. So I will stretch out my hand against you and destroy you; I am tired of holding back.
7And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways.
7"I will winnow them with a pitchfork at the gates of the land. I will take away their children and destroy my people, since they will not turn from their ways.
8Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
8"Their widows will outnumber the sand of the seas. At noonday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men. Suddenly I will bring down on them anguish and terror.
9She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.
9"The mother of seven grows faint and gasps out her last breath. Her sun goes down while it is still day; she is shamed and disgraced. And those who are left I will hand over to the sword before their enemies," says the LORD.
Jeremiah Curses the Day He Was Born
10Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.
10What sorrow is mine, my mother, that you gave birth to me, a man everyone in the whole land argues and fights with! I have never lent money at interest, and no one has lent to me, yet every one of them curses me.
11The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
11The LORD said, "Surely I will set you free for good. Surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and distress.
12Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
12"Can anyone break iron, iron from the north, or bronze?
13Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.
13"Your wealth and your treasures I will hand over as plunder, free of charge, because of all the sins throughout your whole land.
14And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.
14"I will make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know, for my anger has lit a fire that will burn against you."
A Stream That Fails
15O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
15LORD, you understand. Remember me and take care of me; take vengeance for me on those who hunt me. In your patience, do not take me away. Know that it is for your sake I bear this abuse.
16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
16When your words came, I ate them up; your words were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God of hosts.
17I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
17I never sat in the company of those who laugh and make merry; I sat alone because your hand was on me, for you had filled me with outrage.
18Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
18Why does my pain go on and on? Why is my wound so deep it refuses to heal? Will you be to me like a stream that runs dry, like water that cannot be counted on?
A Wall of Bronze
19Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
19So this is what the LORD says: "If you come back, I will take you back, and you will stand before me as my servant. If you speak what is worthwhile and not what is worthless, you will be my spokesman. Let them turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
20And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
20"I will make you a wall to these people, a fortified wall of bronze. They will fight against you, but they will not win, for I am with you to rescue and deliver you," says the LORD.
21And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
21"I will rescue you from the grip of the wicked and set you free from the clutches of the cruel."
XVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Prophet Told Not to Marry
1The word of the LORD came also unto me, saying,
1The word of the LORD also came to me:
2Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.
2"You must not marry or have sons or daughters in this place.
3For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land;
3"For this is what the LORD says about the sons and daughters born in this place, and about the mothers who bear them and the fathers who father them in this land:
4They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
4"They will die of deadly diseases. No one will mourn them or bury them; they will lie like manure on the ground. They will be destroyed by the sword and by famine, and their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the wild animals."
Forbidden to Attend a Funeral
5For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and mercies.
5For this is what the LORD says: "Do not enter a house where there is mourning; do not go to grieve or to comfort them. For I have taken my peace away from these people," says the LORD, "my steady love and my mercy.
6Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
6"Great and small alike will die in this land. They will not be buried, and no one will mourn for them, or cut themselves, or shave their heads for them.
7Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
7"No one will offer food to comfort those who mourn the dead, and no one will hand them the cup of comfort for the loss of a father or a mother.
Forbidden to Attend a Wedding
8Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.
8"And do not go into a house where there is feasting to sit with them and eat and drink.
9For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
9"For this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Look, before your very eyes and in your own lifetime, I will silence in this place the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bridegroom and the bride.
When They Ask Why
10And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?
10"When you tell these people all this, they will ask you, 'Why has the LORD decreed such a great disaster against us? What wrong have we done? What sin have we committed against the LORD our God?'
11Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;
11"Then tell them, It is because your ancestors abandoned me," says the LORD, "and went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. They abandoned me and did not keep my law.
12And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:
12"And you have behaved even worse than your ancestors. Look, every one of you follows the stubbornness of his own evil heart instead of listening to me.
13Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.
13"So I will throw you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your ancestors have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.
A New Exodus From the North
14Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
14"Yet the days are coming," says the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,'
15But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
15"but instead, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the lands where he had driven them.' For I will bring them back to the land I gave to their ancestors.
Fishermen and Hunters
16Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
16"Look, I will send for many fishermen," says the LORD, "and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down from every mountain and every hill and out of the cracks in the rocks.
17For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
17"For my eyes are on everything they do. They cannot hide from my face, and their guilt is not hidden from my eyes.
18And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
18"First I will pay them back double for their guilt and their sin, because they have defiled my land with the lifeless bodies of their detestable idols and filled my inheritance with their disgusting things."
The Nations Will Come
19O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
19LORD, my strength and my fortress, my safe place in the day of trouble, the nations will come to you from the ends of the earth and say, "Our ancestors inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols that did them no good at all."
20Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?
20Can people make gods for themselves? Such things are not gods at all!
21Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.
21"So look, this time I will teach them; I will show them my power and my might, and they will know that my name is the LORD."
XVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Sin Written With an Iron Pen
1The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
1"The sin of Judah is written with an iron pen, engraved with a diamond point on the tablet of their hearts and on the horns of your altars.
2Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
2"Even their children remember their altars and their sacred poles beside the leafy trees on the high hills.
3O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.
3"My mountain in the open country, I will hand over your wealth and all your treasures as plunder, along with your high places, because of the sin throughout your whole land.
4And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.
4"You will lose your grip on the inheritance I gave you, and I will make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know, for you have lit a fire in my anger that will burn forever."
The Bush in the Desert and the Tree by Water
5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
5This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in people, who depends on mere flesh for strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
6"He will be like a scrubby bush in the desert, and he will not notice when good times come. He will live in the parched places of the wilderness, in a salty land where no one lives.
7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
7"Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is the LORD.
8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
8"He will be like a tree planted beside water, sending out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves stay green. It is not anxious in a year of drought, and it never stops bearing fruit.
The Heart and the Partridge
9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
9"The heart is more deceptive than anything else, and desperately sick. Who can understand it?
10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
10"I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind, to repay each person according to his ways, according to what his actions deserve.
11As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
11"Like a partridge that sits on eggs it did not lay is the one who gets rich unfairly. In the middle of his life the riches will leave him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool."
The Fountain of Living Waters
12A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
12A glorious throne, set on high from the very beginning, is the place of our sanctuary.
13O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.
13LORD, hope of Israel, all who abandon you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust, because they have abandoned the LORD, the spring of living water.
Heal Me and I Shall Be Healed
14Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
14Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
15Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.
15Look how they keep saying to me, "Where is this word of the LORD? Let it come true now!"
16As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
16As for me, I have not run away from being the shepherd who follows you, and I have not wished for the day of disaster. You know that; whatever came from my lips was spoken openly before you.
17Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.
17Do not become a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of trouble.
18Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
18Let those who hunt me be put to shame, but keep me from shame. Let them be terrified, but keep me from terror. Bring the day of disaster on them and crush them with double destruction.
Stand in the Gates
19Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;
19This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and stand at the People's Gate, where the kings of Judah go in and out, and then at all the other gates of Jerusalem.
20And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
20"Say to them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, all of Judah, and everyone who lives in Jerusalem and comes in through these gates.
21Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
21"'This is what the LORD says: Be careful, for your own sake, not to carry any load on the Sabbath day or bring it in through the gates of Jerusalem.
22Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
22"'Do not carry a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day, and do not do any work. Instead, keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors.
23But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
23"'But they did not listen or pay attention. They stiffened their necks so they would not hear and would not accept correction.
Two Futures for the City
24And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
24"'But if you carefully obey me,' says the LORD, 'and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy by doing no work on it,
25Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.
25"'then kings and princes who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this city, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the people of Judah, and those who live in Jerusalem. And this city will be lived in forever.
26And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.
26"'People will come from the towns of Judah and the villages around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the foothills, from the hill country, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings, and incense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD.
27But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
27"'But if you will not obey me by keeping the Sabbath day holy, and if you carry loads in through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will set fire to its gates. It will consume the palaces of Jerusalem, and no one will put it out.'"
XVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Clay in the Potter's Hand
1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
2"Get up and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my message."
3Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
3So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, working at his wheel.
4And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
4But the clay pot he was shaping went wrong in the potter's hands, so he formed it again into another pot, shaping it however he thought best.
5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5Then the word of the LORD came to me:
6O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
6"House of Israel, can't I do with you just as this potter does?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so you are in my hand, house of Israel.
The Principle Runs Both Ways
7At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
7"At one moment I may announce that a nation or a kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed.
8If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
8"But if that nation I warned turns away from its evil, then I will change my mind about the disaster I had planned to bring on it.
9And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
9"And at another moment I may announce that a nation or a kingdom is to be built up and planted.
10If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
10"But if it does evil in my sight and does not obey my voice, then I will change my mind about the good I had said I would do for it.
Judah's Answer
11Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
11"So now, speak to the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem and say, This is what the LORD says: Look, I am shaping a disaster for you and working out a plan against you. Turn back now, every one of you, from your evil ways, and make your ways and your actions good."
12And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.
12But they answered, "It's no use! We will follow our own plans; every one of us will do whatever his stubborn, evil heart desires."
Snow That No One Leaves
13Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.
13So this is what the LORD says: "Ask among the nations: who has ever heard of such a thing? The virgin Israel has done a most horrible thing.
14Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?
14"Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Do its cool streams, flowing from far away, ever run dry?
15Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;
15"Yet my people have forgotten me. They burn incense to worthless idols, which have made them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient paths to walk on side trails, on a road that was never built up.
16To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.
16"So their land will become a desolation, something to be hissed at forever. Everyone who passes by will be appalled and shake his head.
17I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
17"Like an east wind I will scatter them before their enemies. I will show them my back and not my face on the day of their disaster."
The Plot Against Jeremiah
18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
18Then they said, "Come on, let's make plans against Jeremiah. The law will never be lost from the priest, or advice from the wise, or the word from the prophet. Come, let's attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says."
A Prophet's Curse
19Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
19Pay attention to me, LORD, and listen to what my accusers are saying.
20Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.
20Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit to take my life. Remember how I stood before you to speak up for them and to turn your anger away from them.
21Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.
21So hand their children over to famine, and give them up to the power of the sword. Let their wives lose their children and become widows; let their men be struck down by death, and their young men killed by the sword in battle.
22Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.
22Let a scream be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring raiders upon them, for they have dug a pit to catch me and hidden traps for my feet.
23Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.
23But you, LORD, know all their plots to kill me. Do not forgive their wrongdoing or wipe their sin from your sight. Let them be thrown down before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.
XIX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Potter's Jar and the Valley of Hinnom
1Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter’s earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;
1This is what the LORD says: "Go and buy a clay jar from a potter, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests with you.
2And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,
2Go out to the valley of the son of Hinnom, near the entrance of the East Gate, and there announce the words I will tell you.
3And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.
3Say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Look, I am going to bring such disaster on this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will ring.
4Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
4For they have abandoned me and made this place foreign to me. They have burned incense here to other gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of innocent people.
5They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:
5They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as offerings to Baal, something I never commanded or spoke of; it never even entered my mind.
The Valley of Slaughter
6Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.
6So watch: the days are coming, says the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Tophet or the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.
7And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
7In this place I will make the plans of Judah and Jerusalem come to nothing. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who want them dead, and I will give their bodies as food to the birds of the sky and the wild animals.
8And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.
8I will make this city a ruin and an object of scorn; everyone who passes by will be shocked and will hiss at all its wounds.
9And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.
9I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another's flesh during the siege and the distress that their enemies, the ones who want them dead, will bring upon them.'
Broken Beyond Mending
10Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,
10Then break the jar in front of the men who go with you,
11And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.
11and say to them, 'This is what the LORD of hosts says: In just this way I will break this people and this city, as a potter's jar is broken so that it can never be mended again. They will bury the dead in Tophet until there is no room left to bury anyone.
12Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet:
12That is what I will do to this place and to the people who live here, says the LORD. I will make this city like Tophet.
13And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.
13The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be made unclean like the place of Tophet, every house on whose roof they burned incense to all the stars of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.'"
Repeated in the Temple Court
14Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD’s house; and said to all the people,
14Then Jeremiah came back from Tophet, where the LORD had sent him to prophesy, and he stood in the courtyard of the LORD's house and said to all the people,
15Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.
15"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Look, I am going to bring on this city and all its towns every disaster I have announced against it, because they have stiffened their necks and refused to listen to my words."
XX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Pashur Beats Jeremiah and Puts Him in the Stocks
1Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
1Now Pashhur son of Immer, the priest who was chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.
2Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
2So Pashhur had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and locked him in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, beside the house of the LORD.
3And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.
3The next day, when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, "The LORD has not named you Pashhur but Magor-missabib, Terror on Every Side.
4For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.
4For this is what the LORD says: 'I am going to make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. They will fall by the sword of their enemies while your own eyes watch. I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon, and he will carry them off captive to Babylon and kill them with the sword.
5Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
5I will hand over all the wealth of this city, everything it has worked for, everything valuable in it, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah, to their enemies, who will plunder them, seize them, and carry them to Babylon.
6And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
6And you, Pashhur, and everyone who lives in your house will go into captivity. You will go to Babylon, and there you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.'"
A Fire Shut Up in My Bones
7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
7O LORD, you persuaded me, and I was persuaded; you are stronger than I am, and you have won. I am laughed at all day long; everyone mocks me.
8For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
8For whenever I speak, I have to cry out; I shout, "Violence and ruin!" The word of the LORD has brought me nothing but insults and mockery all day long.
9Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
9Then I said, "I will not mention him or speak in his name anymore." But his word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I wore myself out holding it in, and I could not.
10For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
10For I have heard many people whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my close friends are watching for me to stumble, saying, "Maybe he can be tricked; then we will get the better of him and take our revenge on him."
The LORD Like a Fearsome Warrior
11But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
11But the LORD is with me like a mighty, fearsome warrior, so my persecutors will stumble and will not win. They will be deeply ashamed, because they will not succeed; their disgrace will last forever and never be forgotten.
12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
12O LORD of hosts, you who test the righteous and see the mind and the heart, let me see your vengeance on them, for I have laid my case before you.
13Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
13Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For he has rescued the life of the needy from the hands of evil people.
Cursed Be the Day I Was Born
14Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
14Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother gave birth to me never be blessed.
15Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
15Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, "A baby boy has been born to you!" and made him so happy.
16And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
16May that man be like the cities the LORD overthrew without pity. May he hear cries of alarm in the morning and shouts of battle at noon,
17Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
17because he did not kill me in the womb, so that my mother would have been my grave, her womb forever heavy with me.
18Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
18Why did I ever come out of the womb to see hard labor and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?
XXI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Zedekiah Sends to Inquire
1The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malchiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to him, saying,
2Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.
2"Please ask the LORD on our behalf, because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will do for us one of his wonderful works, as he has before, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us."
I Myself Will Fight Against You
3Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
3Then Jeremiah said to them, "This is what you are to tell Zedekiah:
4Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.
4'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn back the weapons of war in your hands, the ones you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls, and I will gather them into the middle of this city.
5And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.
5I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a strong arm, in anger, in fury, and in great wrath.
6And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.
6I will strike down the people who live in this city, both people and animals; they will die of a terrible plague.
7And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
7Afterward, says the LORD, I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the people, whoever is left in this city after the plague, the sword, and the famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to their enemies, and to those who want them dead. He will strike them down with the edge of the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or mercy.'
The Way of Life and the Way of Death
8And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
8And tell this people, 'This is what the LORD says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
9He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.
9Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, by famine, or by plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life as his prize.
10For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.
10For I have set my face against this city to bring harm and not good, says the LORD. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire.'
A Word to the House of David
11And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
11And to the royal house of Judah, say, 'Hear the word of the LORD.
12O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
12House of David, this is what the LORD says: Give fair judgment every morning, and rescue the one who has been robbed from the hand of the oppressor, or my fury will break out like fire and burn with no one to put it out, because of the evil you have done.
13Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?
13Look, I am against you, you who live in the valley, you rock of the plain, says the LORD, you who say, "Who could ever come down against us? Who could enter our homes?"
14But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
14But I will punish you according to what your deeds have produced, says the LORD. I will light a fire in your forest, and it will devour everything around it.'"
XXII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Go Down to the King's House
1Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
1This is what the LORD says: "Go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak this message there.
2And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:
2Say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David, you and your officials and your people who come in through these gates.
3Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
3This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right, and rescue the one who has been robbed from the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.
4For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
4For if you truly do these things, then kings who sit on David's throne will come in through the gates of this palace, riding in chariots and on horses, each king with his officials and his people.
5But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
5But if you will not listen to these words, I swear by myself, says the LORD, that this palace will become a ruin.'
Gilead and the Head of Lebanon
6For thus saith the LORD unto the king’s house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.
6For this is what the LORD says about the royal house of Judah: 'You are like Gilead to me, like the summit of Lebanon, yet I will surely turn you into a desert, into towns where no one lives.
7And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.
7I will send destroyers against you, each with his weapons, and they will cut down your finest cedars and throw them into the fire.
8And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?
8Many nations will pass by this city, and they will ask one another, "Why has the LORD done this to such a great city?"
9Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.
9And the answer will be, "Because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD their God and worshiped other gods and served them."'"
Shallum, Who Will Not Return
10Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.
10Do not weep for the one who is dead or mourn for him; weep bitterly instead for the one who is taken away, for he will never come back or see the land of his birth again.
11For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:
11For this is what the LORD says about Shallum son of Josiah, king of Judah, who became king in place of his father Josiah and who has gone away from this place: "He will never return here.
12But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.
12He will die in the place where they have taken him captive, and he will never see this land again."
Woe to the Builder of Cedar Rooms
13Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;
13"How terrible for the one who builds his palace by injustice and his upper rooms by wrongdoing, who makes his neighbor work for nothing and does not pay him for his labor,
14That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
14who says, 'I will build myself a grand palace with spacious upper rooms,' and cuts out windows for it, panels it with cedar, and paints it bright red.
15Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
15Does it make you a king to have more cedar than anyone else? Your father had plenty to eat and drink, and he did what was just and right, and things went well for him.
16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
16He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and things went well. Is that not what it means to know me? says the LORD.
17But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
17But your eyes and your heart are set on nothing but dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, and on oppression and violence.
Buried Like a Donkey
18Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
18So this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: They will not mourn for him, crying, 'Oh, my brother!' or 'Oh, my sister!' They will not mourn for him, crying, 'Oh, my master!' or 'Oh, his majesty!'
19He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
19He will be buried like a donkey, dragged off and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem."
Cry From Lebanon and Bashan
20Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.
20"Go up to Lebanon and cry out; lift up your voice in Bashan; cry out from Abarim, for all your lovers have been crushed.
21I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.
21I spoke to you when you were secure, but you said, 'I will not listen.' This has been your way since you were young: you have not obeyed my voice.
22The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.
22The wind will sweep away all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will surely be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness.
23O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!
23You who live in Lebanon, nested among the cedars, how you will groan when pains come upon you, pain like a woman in labor!
Coniah Plucked Off Like a Signet Ring
24As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
24As surely as I live, says the LORD, even if Coniah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off.
25And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.
25I will hand you over to those who want you dead, to those you dread, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to the Chaldeans.
26And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.
26I will hurl you and the mother who bore you into another country, where neither of you was born, and there you will both die.
27But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
27But you will never come back to the land you long to return to."
28Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
28Is this man Coniah a despised, broken pot, a jar nobody wants? Why are he and his children thrown out and flung into a land they do not know?
29O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
29O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD!
30Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
30This is what the LORD says: "Record this man as childless, a man who will not succeed in his lifetime, for none of his descendants will succeed in sitting on David's throne or ruling in Judah again."
XXIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Woe to the Shepherds
1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
1"How terrible for the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" says the LORD.
2Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
2So this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who tend my people: "You have scattered my flock and driven them away, and you have not cared for them. Look, I am going to punish you for the evil you have done, says the LORD.
3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
3I myself will gather what is left of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their pastures, where they will be fruitful and multiply.
4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
4I will appoint shepherds over them who will care for them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, and none of them will go missing, says the LORD.
The Righteous Branch
5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
5Look, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch. He will reign as king and act wisely, and he will do what is just and right in the land.
6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety, and this is the name he will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
7So look, the days are coming, says the LORD, when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,'
8But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
8but, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where I had driven them.' And they will live in their own land."
My Heart Is Broken Because of the Prophets
9Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
9About the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones tremble. I am like a drunken man, like someone overcome by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words.
10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
10For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures in the wilderness have dried up. The prophets run after evil, and they use their power for what is wrong.
11For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.
11"Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my own house I have found their wickedness, says the LORD.
12Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
12So their path will become like slippery ground in the dark; they will be driven on and fall there, for I will bring disaster on them in the year of their punishment, says the LORD.
Samaria's Prophets and Jerusalem's
13And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
13Among the prophets of Samaria I saw something disgraceful: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.
14I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
14But among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: they commit adultery and live by lies. They encourage evildoers so that no one turns from his wickedness. To me they are all like Sodom, and the people of the city are like Gomorrah."
15Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
15So this is what the LORD of hosts says about the prophets: "Look, I will feed them bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, because from the prophets of Jerusalem godlessness has spread through the whole land."
They Say You Shall Have Peace
16Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
16This is what the LORD of hosts says: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They fill you with empty hopes; they speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.
17They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
17They keep saying to those who despise me, 'The LORD has said you will have peace,' and to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his own heart they say, 'No harm will come to you.'
18For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
18But who has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear his word? Who has paid attention to his word and listened?
19Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
19Look, the storm of the LORD has gone out in fury, a raging whirlwind; it will crash down on the heads of the wicked.
20The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
20The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has carried out and accomplished what he has in mind. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.
I Sent Them Not, Yet They Ran
21I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
21I did not send these prophets, yet they ran with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.
22But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
22But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and turned them from their evil way and from the evil they were doing.
23Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
23Am I only a God who is nearby, says the LORD, and not a God who is far away too?
24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
24Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? says the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the LORD.
Dreams, Chaff, and the Word Like a Hammer
25I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
25I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name: 'I had a dream! I had a dream!'
26How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
26How long will this go on in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the deceptions of their own minds?
27Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
27They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name for Baal.
28The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
28Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What does straw have to do with wheat? says the LORD.
29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
29Is not my word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
30Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
30So look, I am against the prophets, says the LORD, who steal my words from one another.
31Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
31Look, I am against the prophets, says the LORD, who wag their own tongues and say, 'He declares.'
32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
32Look, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, says the LORD. They tell them and lead my people astray with their lies and their reckless boasting, though I never sent them or commanded them. They do this people no good at all, says the LORD.
What Is the Burden of the LORD
33And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.
33When these people, or a prophet, or a priest asks you, 'What is the burden of the LORD?' you are to answer them, 'What burden? I will cast you off, says the LORD.'
34And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.
34As for the prophet, priest, or anyone among the people who says, 'The burden of the LORD,' I will punish that man and his household.
35Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
35This is what each of you is to say to your neighbor and to your brother: 'What has the LORD answered?' or 'What has the LORD said?'
36And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.
36But you must never again mention 'the burden of the LORD,' because every man's own word becomes his burden, and you have twisted the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God.
37Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
37This is what you are to say to a prophet: 'What has the LORD answered you?' or 'What has the LORD said?'
38But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;
38But if you say, 'The burden of the LORD,' then this is what the LORD says: Because you use this phrase, 'The burden of the LORD,' when I sent word to you saying, 'You must not say, "The burden of the LORD,"'
39Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:
39therefore I, yes I, will surely forget you and cast you away from my presence, along with the city I gave to you and your ancestors.
40And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
40I will bring on you everlasting disgrace and lasting shame that will never be forgotten."
XXIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Two Baskets of Figs
1The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.
1The LORD showed me a vision: two baskets of figs were set in front of the temple of the LORD. This was after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried off Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, along with the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalworkers, from Jerusalem and brought them to Babylon.
2One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.
2One basket had very good figs, like the first figs to ripen, and the other basket had very bad figs, so rotten they could not be eaten.
3Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
3Then the LORD said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" And I said, "Figs. The good ones are very good, and the bad ones are very bad, so bad they cannot be eaten."
The Good Figs Are the Exiles
4Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
4Then the word of the LORD came to me again:
5Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
5"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Like these good figs, I will look with favor on the exiles of Judah, whom I have sent away from this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their own good.
6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
6I will keep my eyes on them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them.
7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
7I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me with their whole heart.
The Bad Figs Are Those Who Remain
8And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
8But like the bad figs that are too rotten to eat, says the LORD, so I will treat Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, the rest of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who live in the land of Egypt.
9And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
9I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, an object of scorn and a byword, a taunt and a curse in every place I drive them.
10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.
10And I will send the sword, famine, and plague against them until they are wiped out from the land I gave to them and to their ancestors."
XXV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Twenty-Three Years of Speaking to Judah
1The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
1This is the message that came to Jeremiah about all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
2The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
2Jeremiah the prophet spoke it to all the people of Judah and to everyone living in Jerusalem. He said:
3From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.
3"From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, right up to this day, twenty-three years now, the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, rising early to do it; but you have not listened.
4And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
4The LORD has sent you all his servants the prophets, rising early to send them, but you have not listened or turned your ear to hear.
5They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
5They said, 'Turn back now, every one of you, from your evil way and from the evil things you do, and live in the land the LORD gave to you and your ancestors forever and ever.
6And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
6Do not run after other gods to serve them and bow down to them, and do not stir me to anger with the things your hands have made; then I will do you no harm.'
7Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
7Yet you have not listened to me, says the LORD, and so you have stirred me to anger with the things your hands have made, to your own harm.
The Families of the North and the Seventy Years
8Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,
8Therefore this is what the LORD of hosts says: Because you have not listened to my words,
9Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
9watch: I will send for all the families of the north, says the LORD, and for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its people and against all these surrounding nations. I will destroy them completely and make them a horror, something to hiss at, a ruin that lasts forever.
10Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
10More than that, I will take away from them the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.
11And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
11This whole land will become a desolate ruin and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.
Babylon's Own Reckoning
12And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
12And when the seventy years are finished, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation for their sin, says the LORD, and the land of the Chaldeans too, and I will make it a ruin forever.
13And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.
13I will bring on that land everything I have spoken against it, everything written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.
14For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.
14For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them in turn, and I will pay them back for what they have done and for the work of their own hands."
The Cup of Wine of Fury
15For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.
15This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: "Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my fury, and make all the nations I send you to drink from it.
16And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.
16They will drink and stagger and go out of their minds because of the sword I am sending among them."
The Nations That Drink
17Then took I the cup at the LORD’s hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
17So I took the cup from the LORD's hand and made all the nations he sent me to drink from it:
18To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;
18Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, with their kings and their officials, to make them a ruin, a horror, something to hiss at and a curse, as they are today;
19Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;
19Pharaoh king of Egypt, with his servants, his officials and all his people;
20And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
20all the mixed peoples; all the kings of the land of Uz; all the kings of the land of the Philistines, with Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and what is left of Ashdod;
21Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,
21Edom, Moab and the people of Ammon;
22And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,
22all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coastlands across the sea;
23Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,
23Dedan, Tema, Buz and all who live in the farthest corners;
24And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,
24all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed peoples who live in the desert;
25And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,
25all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam and all the kings of the Medes;
26And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.
26all the kings of the north, near and far, one after another, and every kingdom of the world on the face of the earth. And after all of them, the king of Sheshach will drink.
No One Will Be Left Out
27Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
27"Then tell them: This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Drink, get drunk, vomit, and fall down, never to rise again, because of the sword I am sending among you.
28And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.
28And if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, tell them: This is what the LORD of hosts says: You will most certainly drink.
29For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.
29Look, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears my name, and should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling for a sword against everyone who lives on the earth, says the LORD of hosts.
The LORD Roars From On High
30Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
30So prophesy all these words against them and tell them: The LORD will roar from on high and thunder from his holy dwelling; he will roar mightily against his own fold; he will shout like those who tread the grapes, against everyone who lives on the earth.
31A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
31The noise will reach to the ends of the earth, for the LORD has a case against the nations; he will bring his charge against all people, and he will hand the wicked over to the sword, says the LORD.
32Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
32This is what the LORD of hosts says: Look, disaster is spreading from nation to nation, and a great storm is rising from the farthest parts of the earth.
33And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
33On that day those the LORD has slain will lie from one end of the earth to the other. No one will mourn them, gather them, or bury them; they will be like manure on the ground.
Wail, You Shepherds
34Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
34Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the ashes, you leaders of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and scattering have come, and you will fall and shatter like a fine vase.
35And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
35The shepherds will have no way to flee, and the leaders of the flock no way to escape.
36A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.
36Listen to the shepherds crying out and the leaders of the flock wailing, for the LORD is laying waste their pasture.
37And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
37The peaceful meadows are silenced because of the LORD's fierce anger.
38He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.
38Like a lion he has left his den, for their land has become a wasteland because of the cruelty of the oppressor and because of his fierce anger."
XXVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Stand in the Court of the LORD's House
1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,
1At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the LORD:
2Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
2"This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD's house and speak to the people from all the towns of Judah who come to worship there. Tell them everything I command you to say; do not leave out a single word.
3If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
3Perhaps they will listen and each one will turn from his evil way; then I will change my mind about the disaster I am planning to bring on them because of the evil they have done.
4And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
4Say to them: This is what the LORD says: If you will not listen to me and live by my law, which I have set before you,
5To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
5and listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again, rising early to send them, though you have not listened,
6Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth."
The Priests and Prophets Seize Him
7So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
7The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
8Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.
8And as soon as Jeremiah had finished saying everything the LORD had commanded him to say to all the people, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, "You must die!
9Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
9Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be left empty, with no one living in it?" And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
Jeremiah's Defense Before the Officials
10When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’s house.
10When the officials of Judah heard about this, they came up from the king's palace to the house of the LORD and took their seats at the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD's house.
11Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
11Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, "This man deserves to die, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears."
12Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
12Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city everything you have heard.
13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
13So now, change your ways and your actions and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will change his mind about the disaster he has pronounced against you.
14As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.
14As for me, I am in your hands. Do with me whatever seems good and right to you.
15But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
15But know this for certain: if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and on everyone living in it, for the LORD truly did send me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."
The Verdict and the Precedent of Micah
16Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.
16Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve to die, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God."
17Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
17Then some of the elders of the land stood up and said to the whole assembly of the people,
18Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
18"Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and he told all the people of Judah, 'This is what the LORD of hosts says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple hill will be like the high places of a forest.'
19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.
19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Didn't Hezekiah fear the LORD and plead with him, so that the LORD changed his mind about the disaster he had pronounced against them? We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves!"
Urijah Is Killed, and Ahikam Shields Jeremiah
20And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
20There was another man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim, who prophesied against this city and this land in the same words as Jeremiah.
21And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
21When King Jehoiakim, with all his warriors and all his officials, heard what he said, the king tried to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it, and in fear he fled and went to Egypt.
22And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.
22Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor and some others with him.
23And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
23They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him killed with the sword and had his body thrown into the burial ground of the common people.
24Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
24But Ahikam son of Shaphan stood by Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
XXVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Bonds and Yokes for Five Kings
1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
1At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
2"This is what the LORD said to me: Make yourself straps and a yoke and put them on your neck.
3And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;
3Then send word to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre and the king of Sidon, by the messengers who have come to Jerusalem to see Zedekiah king of Judah.
4And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters;
4Order them to say to their masters: This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says. Tell your masters this:
Serve Babylon and Live
5I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
5By my great power and my outstretched arm I made the earth, and the people and animals that live on it, and I give it to whomever I see fit.
6And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
6Now I have handed all these lands over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, my servant; I have even given him the wild animals to serve him.
7And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.
7All the nations will serve him, his son and his grandson, until the time for his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will make him their servant.
8And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
8But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation, says the LORD, with sword, famine and plague, until I have wiped them out by his hand.
9Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:
9So do not listen to your prophets, your fortune-tellers, your dreamers, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon.'
10For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.
10They are prophesying a lie to you that will only carry you far from your land; I will drive you out, and you will perish.
11But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.
11But the nation that puts its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serves him, I will leave in its own land, says the LORD, to farm it and live there."
The Same Word to Zedekiah
12I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
12I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah: "Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live.
13Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?
13Why should you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague, as the LORD has said will happen to any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?
14Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
14Do not listen to the words of the prophets who tell you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying a lie to you.
15For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.
15I have not sent them, says the LORD, yet they prophesy lies in my name, so that I will drive you out and you will perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you."
The Temple Vessels Will Not Come Back Yet
16Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD’s house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
16Then I said to the priests and to all this people, "This is what the LORD says: Do not listen to your prophets who tell you, 'Look, the articles of the LORD's house will soon be brought back from Babylon.' They are prophesying a lie to you.
17Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?
17Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city be turned into a ruin?
18But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
18If they are prophets and the word of the LORD is with them, let them plead now with the LORD of hosts that the articles still left in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem will not be taken to Babylon.
19For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,
19For this is what the LORD of hosts says about the pillars, the Sea, the stands and the rest of the articles that remain in this city,
20Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
20the ones Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem.
21Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;
21Yes, this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem:
22They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.
22They will be carried to Babylon, and there they will stay until the day I come for them, says the LORD. Then I will bring them back and return them to this place."
XXVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hananiah Announces the Yoke Broken
1And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
1That same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD in front of the priests and all the people. He said,
2Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
2"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
3Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
3Within two full years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took from here and carried to Babylon.
4And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
4And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles of Judah who went to Babylon, says the LORD, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon."
Jeremiah's Answer and the Test of Time
5Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
5Then the prophet Jeremiah answered the prophet Hananiah in front of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD.
6Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD’s house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.
6The prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! May the LORD do just that. May the LORD make the words you have prophesied come true and bring back the articles of the LORD's house and all the exiles from Babylon to this place.
7Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
7But listen now to what I am saying in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people:
8The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
8The prophets who came before me and before you, long ago, prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms.
9The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
9As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only when his word comes true will it be known that the LORD really sent him."
The Yoke Is Broken Off His Neck
10Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and brake it.
10Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the prophet Jeremiah's neck and broke it.
11And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.
11And Hananiah said in front of all the people, "This is what the LORD says: In the same way, within two full years, I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations." And the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.
Yokes of Iron
12Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
12After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
13Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
13"Go and tell Hananiah: This is what the LORD says: You have broken yokes of wood, but in their place you will make yokes of iron.
14For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.
14For this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations so that they will serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and serve him they will. I have even given him the wild animals."
Hananiah Dies That Year
15Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
15Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, "Listen, Hananiah. The LORD has not sent you, and you are making this people trust in a lie.
16Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
16So this is what the LORD says: Watch, I am going to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you will die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD."
17So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
17And the prophet Hananiah died that same year, in the seventh month.
29
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Letter and Its Carriers
1Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
1These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon.
2(After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)
2(This was after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the metalworkers had left Jerusalem.)
3By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
3He sent it by Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah was sending to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter said:
Build Houses and Seek the City's Peace
4Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
4"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
5Build houses and settle down in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
6Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
6Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Grow in number there; do not dwindle away.
7And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
7Work for the well-being of the city where I have sent you as exiles, and pray to the LORD for it, because when it does well, you will do well too.
Ignore the Prophets Among You
8For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
8For this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Do not let the prophets and fortune-tellers among you fool you, and do not listen to the dreams you are so eager to have dreamed.
9For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
9They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them, says the LORD.
After Seventy Years
10For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
10For this is what the LORD says: When Babylon's seventy years are complete, I will come to you and keep my good promise to you by bringing you back to this place.
11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
11For I know the thoughts I am thinking about you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of trouble, so that you will reach the end you are longing for.
12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
12Then you will call on me, and you will come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
13You will look for me and find me, when you search for me with your whole heart.
14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
14I will let you find me, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
A Word About Those Still in Jerusalem
15Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
15You may say, 'The LORD has raised up prophets for us here in Babylon,'
16Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
16but this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David's throne and about all the people still living in this city, your relatives who did not go into exile with you:
17Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
17This is what the LORD of hosts says: Watch, I am sending on them the sword, famine and plague, and I will make them like rotten figs, so bad they cannot be eaten.
18And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:
18I will pursue them with sword, famine and plague, and I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, a curse and an object of dread, hissing and scorn among all the nations where I drive them,
19Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
19because they have not listened to my words, says the LORD, the words I sent them by my servants the prophets, rising early to send them. And you have not listened either, says the LORD.
Ahab, Zedekiah, and What Became of Them
20Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
20So hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.
21Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
21This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: Watch, I will hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your eyes.
22And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
22Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: 'May the LORD treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire.'
23Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
23For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and they have spoken lies in my name that I never commanded. I know it, and I am a witness to it, says the LORD."
Shemaiah's Letter and Its Answer
24Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
24Say this also to Shemaiah the Nehelamite:
25Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
25"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: You sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying,
26The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
26'The LORD has made you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest, to be in charge of the house of the LORD, so that any madman who sets himself up as a prophet you can put in prison and in the stocks.
27Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
27So why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who sets himself up as a prophet among you?
28For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
28He has even sent word to us in Babylon, saying: This exile will be long. Build houses and settle down in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.'"
29And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
29Zephaniah the priest read this letter aloud to the prophet Jeremiah.
30Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
30Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
31Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
31"Send this message to all the exiles: This is what the LORD says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie,
32Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.
32this is what the LORD says: Watch, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left to live among this people, and he will not see the good I am going to do for my people, says the LORD, because he has preached rebellion against the LORD."
30
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Write It in a Book
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
1This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
2"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Write down in a book all the words I have spoken to you.
3For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
3For the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity, says the LORD, and I will bring them back to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it."
The Time of Jacob's Trouble
4And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
4These are the words the LORD spoke about Israel and about Judah:
5For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
5"This is what the LORD says: We have heard a cry of terror, of fear, and not of peace.
6Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
6Ask and see: can a man give birth to a child? Then why do I see every man with his hands pressed to his sides like a woman in labor, and every face turned deathly pale?
7Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
7How terrible! That day is so great that there is none like it. It is a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.
The Yoke Broken and Jacob Brought Home
8For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
8On that day, says the LORD of hosts, I will break the yoke off your neck and snap your straps, and foreigners will no longer make him their slave.
9But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
9Instead they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
10Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
10So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, says the LORD; do not be dismayed, Israel. For watch, I will save you from far away, and your descendants from the land where they are captives. Jacob will come home and have rest and quiet, and no one will make him afraid.
11For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
11For I am with you, says the LORD, to save you. Though I completely destroy all the nations where I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but only in fair measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.
Your Wound Cannot Be Healed
12For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.
12For this is what the LORD says: Your injury cannot be healed; your wound is severe.
13There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
13There is no one to plead your case, no one to bandage you up; you have no medicine that can heal.
14All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
14All your lovers have forgotten you; they do not come looking for you. For I have struck you as an enemy would, punished you as a cruel man would, because your guilt is so great and your sins so many.
15Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
15Why do you cry out over your injury? Your pain cannot be healed. Because your guilt is so great and your sins so many, I have done these things to you.
I Will Restore Your Health
16Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
16Therefore all who devour you will be devoured; every one of your enemies will go into captivity. Those who plunder you will be plundered, and all who prey on you I will give as prey.
17For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
17For I will restore your health and heal your wounds, says the LORD, because they have called you an outcast, saying, 'This is Zion; nobody cares about her.'
The City Rebuilt on Its Own Mound
18Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.
18This is what the LORD says: Watch, I will bring Jacob's tents back from captivity and have compassion on his homes. The city will be rebuilt on its own mound of ruins, and the palace will stand where it always stood.
19And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
19Out of them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of people celebrating. I will make them many, not few; I will bring them honor, and they will not be looked down on.
20Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
20Their children will be as they were in days gone by, and their community will be set firmly before me, and I will punish everyone who oppresses them.
21And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.
21Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will come from among them. I will bring him near, and he will come close to me, for who would dare on his own to come close to me? says the LORD.
22And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
22You will be my people, and I will be your God."
The Whirlwind of the LORD
23Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
23Look, the storm of the LORD goes out in fury, a sweeping storm; it will crash down on the heads of the wicked.
24The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
24The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has done it, until he has carried out the purposes of his heart. In the days to come you will understand this.
31
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Israel Rebuilt in the North
1At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
1"At that same time," says the LORD, "I will be the God of every family of Israel, and they will be my people."
2Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
2This is what the LORD says: "The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness, when I went to give Israel rest."
3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
3Long ago the LORD appeared to me and said, "Yes, I have loved you with a love that never ends; that is why I have drawn you to myself with faithful kindness.
4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
4I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt, virgin Israel. Once more you will pick up your tambourines and go out to dance with those who celebrate.
5Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
5Once more you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; those who plant them will enjoy their fruit as their own.
6For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
6For a day is coming when the watchmen on the hills of Ephraim will call out, 'Get up, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'"
Gathered From the North Country
7For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
7For this is what the LORD says: "Sing for Jacob with gladness; shout for the greatest of the nations. Announce it, give praise, and say, 'LORD, save your people, what is left of Israel.'
8Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
8Watch: I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest ends of the earth, and with them will come the blind and the lame, women expecting a child and women in labor, all together; a great crowd will return here.
9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
9They will come weeping, and I will lead them as they pray for mercy. I will bring them along streams of water on a level road where they will not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
The Shepherd Who Gathers His Flock
10Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
10Hear the word of the LORD, you nations, and announce it in the distant islands. Say, 'The one who scattered Israel will gather him again and watch over him the way a shepherd watches his flock.'
11For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
11For the LORD has bought Jacob back and rescued him from a hand that was too strong for him.
12Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
12So they will come and sing on the heights of Zion, streaming together to the good things of the LORD: grain, new wine, and oil, the young of the flock and the herd. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will never be sorrowful again.
13Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
13Then the young women will rejoice in the dance, and the young men and old men together, for I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness in place of sorrow.
14And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
14I will fill the priests with rich food, and my people will be satisfied with my goodness," says the LORD.
Rachel Weeping in Ramah
15Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
15This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter crying: Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted about her children, because they are gone."
16Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
16This is what the LORD says: "Hold back your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," says the LORD. "They will come back from the land of the enemy.
17And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
17There is hope for your future," says the LORD. "Your children will come back to their own land.
Ephraim Turns and God Relents
18I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
18I have clearly heard Ephraim grieving: 'You disciplined me, and I took the discipline like a young bull not used to the yoke. Bring me back, and I will come back, for you are the LORD my God.
19Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
19After I turned away, I was sorry; after I came to understand, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated, because I carry the disgrace of my younger days.'
20Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.
20Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he the child I delight in? Even though I have spoken against him, I still remember him fondly. That is why my heart aches for him; I will surely have mercy on him," says the LORD.
Signposts for the Road Home
21Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.
21"Set up road markers for yourself; put up signposts. Fix your mind on the highway, the road you traveled away. Come back, virgin Israel; come back to these cities of yours.
22How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
22How long will you wander this way and that, my unfaithful daughter? For the LORD has created something new on the earth: a woman will protect a man."
Judah's Farms and Flocks Again
23Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
23This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "When I bring them back from captivity, people will once again say these words in the land of Judah and its towns: 'May the LORD bless you, home of justice, holy mountain.'
24And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
24Farmers will live in Judah and in all its towns together, along with those who move about with their flocks.
25For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
25For I have refreshed the weary soul, and I have filled up everyone who was sorrowful."
26Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.
26At this I woke up and looked around, and my sleep had been sweet to me.
Sowing, and the End of a Proverb
27Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
27"Watch, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of people and the seed of animals.
28And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.
28And just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to overthrow and destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," says the LORD.
29In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.
29"In those days people will no longer say, 'The parents ate sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'
30But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
30Instead, each person will die for his own sin; whoever eats the sour grapes will have his own teeth set on edge.
The New Covenant
31Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
31Watch, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
32It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, a covenant they broke, even though I was a husband to them," says the LORD.
33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
33"But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days," says the LORD. "I will put my law deep inside them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
34No longer will each person teach his neighbor and his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," says the LORD. "For I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will not remember their sin anymore."
As Fixed as Sun and Sea
35Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
35This is what the LORD says, the one who gives the sun to light the day and sets the moon and stars in order to light the night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the LORD of hosts is his name:
36If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
36"Only if that order ever fails before me," says the LORD, "will the descendants of Israel ever stop being a nation before me."
37Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
37This is what the LORD says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below can be explored will I reject all the descendants of Israel for everything they have done," says the LORD.
The Rebuilt City
38Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
38"Watch, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when the city will be rebuilt for the LORD, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
39And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.
39The measuring line will stretch straight out from there to the hill of Gareb and then turn toward Goah.
40And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
40And the whole valley where the dead bodies and the ashes are thrown, and all the fields out to the Kidron Valley, as far as the corner of the Horse Gate on the east, will be holy to the LORD. It will never be uprooted or torn down again."
32
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jeremiah Under Arrest in the Besieged City
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
1This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.
2For then the king of Babylon’s army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house.
2At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the palace of the king of Judah.
3For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
3Zedekiah king of Judah had locked him up there, saying, "Why do you prophesy like this? You say, 'This is what the LORD says: Watch, I am going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.
4And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
4Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the Chaldeans; he will certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon, and he will speak with him face to face and see him with his own eyes.
5And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
5He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, and there he will stay until I deal with him,' says the LORD. 'Though you fight the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.'"
The Cousin With a Field to Sell
6And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
6Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me:
7Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
7'Watch, Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is going to come to you and say, "Buy my field in Anathoth, because as the nearest relative you have the right to buy it."'
8So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.
8Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, 'Please buy my field in Anathoth, in the territory of Benjamin. The right of inheritance is yours, and the right to buy it back is yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.
The Deed, the Silver, and the Witnesses
9And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
9So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out the money for him: seventeen shekels of silver.
10And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
10I signed the deed and sealed it, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
11So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
11Then I took the deed of purchase, both the sealed copy with the terms and conditions and the open copy,
12And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
12and I gave the deed to Baruch son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, in front of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who had signed the deed and all the Jews who were sitting in the courtyard of the guard.
Put the Deeds in a Clay Jar
13And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
13In front of them I gave Baruch these instructions:
14Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
14'This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, this sealed deed of purchase and this open copy, and put them in a clay jar so that they will last a long time.
15For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
15For this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields, and vineyards will be bought again in this land.'
Jeremiah's Prayer
16Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,
16After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD:
17Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
17'Ah, Lord GOD! Look, you made the heavens and the earth by your great power and your outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
18Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
18You show faithful love to thousands, yet you bring the guilt of the parents down on their children after them. You are the great and mighty God; the LORD of hosts is your name.
19Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
19Your plans are great and your deeds are mighty. Your eyes are open to all the ways of people, to repay each one according to his ways and according to what his actions deserve.
20Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
20You performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and you continue to do so to this day, in Israel and among all people, and you have made a name for yourself that remains today.
21And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;
21You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror.
22And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
22You gave them this land, which you swore to their ancestors you would give them, a land flowing with milk and honey.
23And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
23They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey your voice or live by your law. They did nothing you commanded them to do, so you have brought all this disaster on them.
The Siege Ramps Are at the Wall
24Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
24Look at the siege ramps! They have reached the city to capture it. Through sword, famine, and plague the city is being handed over to the Chaldeans who are attacking it. What you said has happened, and you can see it.
25And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
25Yet you, Lord GOD, said to me, "Buy the field with money and call in witnesses," even though the city is being handed over to the Chaldeans.'"
Is Anything Too Hard for Me
26Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
26Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
27Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
27"Look, I am the LORD, the God of all living things. Is anything too hard for me?
28Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
28So this is what the LORD says: Watch, I am going to hand this city over to the Chaldeans and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will capture it.
29And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.
29The Chaldeans who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire. They will burn it down, along with the houses where people offered incense to Baal on the rooftops and poured out drink offerings to other gods to make me angry.
The Charge Against Jerusalem
30For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
30For the people of Israel and the people of Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth. Yes, the people of Israel have done nothing but provoke me to anger with the work of their hands," says the LORD.
31For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
31"From the day it was built until now, this city has stirred up my anger and my fury so much that I must remove it from my sight,
32Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
32because of all the evil the people of Israel and the people of Judah have done to make me angry: they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets, the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem.
33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
33They turned their backs to me instead of their faces. Though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or accept correction.
34But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
34They set up their disgusting idols in the house that bears my name and made it unclean.
35And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
35They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech. I never commanded such a thing; it never even entered my mind that they would do something so detestable and lead Judah into sin.
An Everlasting Covenant
36And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
36Now, then, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about this city, which you say is being handed over to the king of Babylon by sword, famine, and plague:
37Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:
37Watch, I will gather them out of all the lands where I drove them in my anger, my fury, and my great wrath. I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety.
38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
38They will be my people, and I will be their God.
39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
39I will give them one heart and one way of life, so that they will always fear me, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
40I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will put the fear of me in their hearts so that they will never turn away from me.
41Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
41I will rejoice in doing good to them, and with all my heart and all my soul I will plant them firmly in this land.
Fields Will Be Bought Again
42For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
42For this is what the LORD says: Just as I have brought all this great disaster on this people, so I will bring on them all the good I have promised them.
43And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
43Fields will be bought in this land, the land you say is a wasteland without people or animals, handed over to the Chaldeans.
44Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
44People will buy fields with money, sign deeds, seal them, and call in witnesses, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah, in the towns of the hill country, in the towns of the lowlands, and in the towns of the south. For I will bring them back from captivity," says the LORD.
33
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Second Word in the Prison Yard
1Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
1The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time while he was still confined in the courtyard of the guard:
2Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;
2"This is what the LORD says, the LORD who made the earth, who shaped it and set it in place; the LORD is his name:
3Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
3Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things that you do not know.
Houses Torn Down, a City Healed
4For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;
4For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the houses of this city and the palaces of the kings of Judah that have been torn down to defend against the siege ramps and the sword:
5They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.
5The people come to fight the Chaldeans, but only to fill those houses with the bodies of the men I have struck down in my anger and fury, for I have hidden my face from this city because of all its wickedness.
6Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.
6Yet watch: I will bring it health and healing. I will heal my people and let them enjoy peace and security in full measure.
7And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.
7I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and rebuild them as they were at first.
8And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.
8I will cleanse them from all the wrongdoing they committed against me, and I will forgive all the sins by which they rebelled against me.
9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.
9Then this city will bring me joy, praise, and honor before all the nations of the earth. They will hear about all the good I do for it, and they will tremble in awe at all the goodness and prosperity I provide for it.
The Voice of the Bridegroom
10Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,
10This is what the LORD says: You say this place is a wasteland, without people or animals. Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that lie empty, without people or inhabitants or animals, there will once again be heard
11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
11the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bridegroom and the bride, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, 'Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good; his mercy lasts forever.' For I will bring the land back from captivity, as it was at first," says the LORD.
12Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.
12This is what the LORD of hosts says: "In this place that is a wasteland without people or animals, and in all its towns, there will once again be pastures where shepherds rest their flocks.
13In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.
13In the towns of the hill country, the lowlands, and the south, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them," says the LORD.
The Branch for David
14Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
14"Watch, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will carry out the good promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
15In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
15In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch grow up from David's line, and he will do what is just and right in the land.
16In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety, and this is the name she will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
17For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;
17For this is what the LORD says: David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,
18Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.
18and the Levitical priests will never lack a man to stand before me and offer burnt offerings, burn grain offerings, and present sacrifices every day."
A Covenant as Firm as Day and Night
19And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying,
19The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
20Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
20"This is what the LORD says: If you could break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer came at their proper times,
21Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
21then my covenant with my servant David could also be broken, so that he would have no son to reign on his throne, and so could my covenant with the Levitical priests who serve me.
22As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
22Just as the stars of the sky cannot be counted and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who serve me."
The Two Families Not Cast Off
23Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
23The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
24Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
24"Have you not noticed what these people are saying? They say, 'The LORD has rejected the two families he chose.' So they look down on my people and no longer regard them as a nation.
25Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
25This is what the LORD says: If I have not made my covenant with day and night and set the fixed laws of heaven and earth,
26Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
26then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David and will not choose any of his descendants to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But I will bring them back from captivity and have mercy on them."
34
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Word to Zedekiah During the Siege
1The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying,
1This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the LORD while Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, with all his army and all the kingdoms and peoples of the empire he ruled, was fighting against Jerusalem and all the towns around it:
2Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:
2"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, 'This is what the LORD says: Watch, I am going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down.
3And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.
3You will not escape from his grasp; you will certainly be captured and handed over to him. You will see the king of Babylon with your own eyes, he will speak with you face to face, and you will go to Babylon.'
4Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:
4Yet hear the word of the LORD, Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD says about you: You will not die by the sword;
5But thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee; and they will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.
5you will die in peace. Just as people burned spices for your ancestors, the kings who reigned before you, so they will burn spices for you and mourn for you, crying, 'Ah, master!' For I myself have declared it," says the LORD.
Lachish and Azekah Still Standing
6Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
6Then Jeremiah the prophet told all this to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
7When the king of Babylon’s army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah.
7while the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and against the towns of Judah that were still standing, Lachish and Azekah, for these were the only fortified towns left in Judah.
Freedom Proclaimed and Taken Back
8This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;
8This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made an agreement with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves.
9That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.
9Everyone was to set free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, so that no one would keep a fellow Jew in slavery.
10Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go.
10All the officials and all the people who had entered into the agreement heard that everyone was to free his male and female slaves and no longer keep them in slavery, and they obeyed and let them go.
11But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.
11But afterward they changed their minds and took back the men and women they had set free, forcing them to be slaves again.
The Law They Never Kept
12Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
12Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
13Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying,
13"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your ancestors on the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. I said,
14At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.
14'At the end of every seven years each of you must free any fellow Hebrew who has been sold to you. After he has served you six years, you must let him go free.' But your ancestors did not listen to me or pay any attention.
15And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:
15Recently you turned around and did what is right in my sight; each of you proclaimed freedom for his neighbor, and you made an agreement before me in the house that bears my name.
16But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom he had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.
16But then you turned back and dishonored my name. Each of you took back the male and female slaves you had set free to go where they wished, and you forced them to be your slaves again.
Liberty to the Sword
17Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
17So this is what the LORD says: You have not obeyed me by proclaiming freedom, each for his brother and his neighbor. So watch, I proclaim a freedom for you," says the LORD, "a freedom to fall by the sword, by plague, and by famine, and I will make you a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
18And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,
18As for the men who broke my covenant and did not keep the terms of the agreement they made before me, I will treat them like the calf they cut in two when they walked between its pieces:
19The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;
19the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officers, the priests, and all the people of the land who walked between the pieces of the calf.
20I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.
20I will hand them over to their enemies, to those who want to kill them, and their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the earth.
21And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which are gone up from you.
21I will hand Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials over to their enemies, to those who want to kill them, and to the army of the king of Babylon, which has pulled back from you.
22Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.
22Watch, I will give the order," says the LORD, "and bring them back to this city. They will attack it, capture it, and burn it down, and I will make the towns of Judah a wasteland where no one lives."
35
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Rechabites Brought to the Temple
1The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,
1This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:
2Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.
2"Go to the family of the Rechabites and speak with them. Bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the side rooms, and offer them wine to drink."
3Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites;
3So I went and got Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah, along with his brothers and all his sons, the whole family of the Rechabites,
4And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door:
4and I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the doorkeeper.
5And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.
5Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups in front of the men of the Rechabite family and said to them, "Have some wine."
We Will Drink No Wine
6But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:
6But they answered, "We will not drink wine, because our ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab gave us this command: 'You and your descendants must never drink wine.
7Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.
7You must never build a house, sow seed, or plant a vineyard, or own any of these things. All your lives you must live in tents, so that you may live a long time in the land where you are strangers.'
8Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
8We have obeyed everything our ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us. We, our wives, our sons, and our daughters have never drunk wine,
9Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:
9and we have never built houses to live in or owned vineyards, fields, or crops.
10But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
10We have lived in tents and have obeyed and done everything our ancestor Jonadab commanded us.
11But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.
11But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, we said, 'Come, let us go to Jerusalem to get away from the armies of the Chaldeans and the Arameans.' That is why we are staying in Jerusalem."
What Judah Would Not Do
12Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
12Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
13Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.
13"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and listen to my words?' says the LORD.
14The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.
14'The command Jonadab son of Rechab gave his sons not to drink wine has been kept. To this day they drink none, because they obey their ancestor's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you have not listened to me.
15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.
15I have sent you all my servants the prophets again and again, saying, "Each of you, turn from your evil ways and change what you do. Do not follow other gods to serve them, and then you will live in the land I gave to you and your ancestors." But you have not paid attention or listened to me.
16Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
16The descendants of Jonadab son of Rechab have carried out the command their ancestor gave them, but this people has not listened to me.'
17Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
17So this is what the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Watch, I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem all the disaster I have pronounced against them, because I spoke to them and they did not listen, and I called to them and they did not answer."
A Promise to the Rechabites
18And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
18Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rechabites, "This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Because you have obeyed the command of your ancestor Jonadab, kept all his rules, and done everything he told you to do,
19Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.
19this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Jonadab son of Rechab will never lack a descendant to stand before me."
36
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Scroll Dictated
1And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
1In the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah, this message came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
2"Get a scroll and write on it every word I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you in the days of Josiah right up to today.
3It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
3Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the disaster I plan to bring on them, each one will turn from his evil way, and then I can forgive their wrongdoing and their sin."
4Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
4So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on a scroll all the words the LORD had spoken to him.
Baruch Sent to Read It Aloud
5And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:
5Then Jeremiah gave Baruch these instructions: "I am confined here; I cannot go into the house of the LORD.
6Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD’s house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
6So you go instead. On the day of fasting, read the LORD's words from the scroll you wrote at my dictation, so the people in the LORD's house can hear them. Read them also so that all the people of Judah who come in from their towns can hear.
7It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.
7Perhaps they will bring their plea before the LORD and each one will turn from his evil way, for the anger and fury the LORD has declared against this people are great."
8And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD’s house.
8Baruch son of Neriah did everything the prophet Jeremiah told him to do, and he read the LORD's words from the book in the LORD's house.
Read in the Temple, Reported to the Officials
9And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.
9In the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, a fast before the LORD was proclaimed for everyone in Jerusalem and for everyone who came to Jerusalem from the towns of Judah.
10Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD’s house, in the ears of all the people.
10Then Baruch read Jeremiah's words from the book in the house of the LORD, in the room of Gemariah son of Shaphan the secretary, in the upper courtyard at the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD's house, where all the people could hear.
11When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
11When Micaiah son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, heard all the LORD's words read from the book,
12Then he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
12he went down to the king's palace, to the secretary's room, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials.
13Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.
13Micaiah told them everything he had heard when Baruch read the book aloud to the people.
The Officials Hear It and Take Fright
14Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
14So all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch with this message: "Take the scroll you read to the people and come." So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and went to them.
15And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.
15"Sit down, please," they said, "and read it to us." So Baruch read it to them.
16Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
16When they had heard all the words, they looked at one another in fear and said to Baruch, "We must report all of this to the king."
17And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
17Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, how did you come to write all these words? Did he dictate them to you?"
18Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.
18Baruch answered, "He spoke all these words to me with his own mouth, and I wrote them down in ink in the book."
19Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.
19Then the officials said to Baruch, "Go and hide, you and Jeremiah both, and don't let anyone know where you are."
The King Cuts It Up and Burns It
20And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
20They stored the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary and went in to the king in the courtyard, where they reported everything to him.
21So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
21The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he brought it from the room of Elishama the secretary. Then Jehudi read it to the king and to all the officials standing around him.
22Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.
22It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in his winter quarters with a fire burning in the brazier in front of him.
23And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
23Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the fire in the brazier, until the whole scroll had been burned up in the fire.
24Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.
24Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words showed any fear or tore their clothes.
25Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.
25Even though Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.
26But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.
26Instead the king ordered Jerahmeel son of Hammelech, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the LORD had hidden them.
A Second Scroll and a Word Against Jehoiakim
27Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
27After the king had burned the scroll with the words Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
28Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
28"Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, the one Jehoiakim king of Judah burned.
29And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
29And say this about Jehoiakim king of Judah: This is what the LORD says. You burned that scroll and asked, 'Why did you write on it that the king of Babylon will surely come and destroy this land and wipe out both people and animals from it?'
30Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
30Therefore this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on David's throne, and his dead body will be thrown out to lie in the heat of the day and the frost of the night.
31And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
31I will punish him, his descendants, and his servants for their wrongdoing. I will bring on them, on the people of Jerusalem, and on the people of Judah every disaster I declared against them, because they would not listen."
The Book Rewritten
32Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
32So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it all the words of the book Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many more words like them were added.
37
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Zedekiah Sends to Jeremiah for Prayer
1And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.
1King Zedekiah son of Josiah reigned in place of Coniah son of Jehoiakim; Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had made him king over the land of Judah.
2But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.
2But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the LORD spoke through the prophet Jeremiah.
3And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.
3Still, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah with this request: "Please pray to the LORD our God for us."
4Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison.
4At that time Jeremiah was free to come and go among the people, for they had not yet put him in prison.
5Then Pharaoh’s army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.
5Pharaoh's army had marched out of Egypt, and when the Babylonians besieging Jerusalem heard the news, they withdrew from the city.
The Babylonians Will Come Back
6Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
6Then the word of the LORD came to the prophet Jeremiah:
7Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
7"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to ask me for guidance, that Pharaoh's army, which has come out to help you, is going to go back home to Egypt.
8And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.
8Then the Babylonians will return and attack this city; they will capture it and burn it down.
9Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.
9This is what the LORD says: Do not fool yourselves by thinking, 'The Babylonians are surely leaving us for good.' They are not leaving.
10For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.
10Even if you defeated the whole Babylonian army fighting against you and only wounded men were left in their tents, they would still get up and burn this city down."
Arrested at the Benjamin Gate
11And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army,
11When the Babylonian army had pulled back from Jerusalem because of Pharaoh's army,
12Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people.
12Jeremiah set out from Jerusalem for the territory of Benjamin to receive his share of property there among the people.
13And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.
13But when he reached the Benjamin Gate, the captain of the guard on duty there, a man named Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, seized the prophet Jeremiah and said, "You are deserting to the Babylonians!"
14Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.
14"That is a lie," Jeremiah said. "I am not deserting to the Babylonians." But Irijah would not listen to him; he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials.
15Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.
15The officials were furious with Jeremiah. They beat him and locked him up in the house of Jonathan the secretary, which they had turned into a prison.
The King Questions Him in Secret
16When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;
16So Jeremiah went into the dungeon, into its vaulted cells, and he stayed there for many days.
17Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
17Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought out. In his palace the king asked him privately, "Is there any word from the LORD?" "There is," Jeremiah answered. "You will be handed over to the king of Babylon."
18Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?
18Then Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "What crime have I committed against you, or your servants, or this people, that you have put me in prison?
19Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?
19Where are your prophets now, the ones who told you, 'The king of Babylon will not attack you or this land'?
20Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.
20Now please listen, my lord the king. Let my plea come before you: do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the secretary, or I will die there."
21Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
21So King Zedekiah gave orders for Jeremiah to be kept in the courtyard of the guard and to be given a loaf of bread each day from the bakers' street, as long as there was bread left in the city. And so Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard.
38
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Lowered into the Cistern
1Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
1Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchiah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people:
2Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.
2"This is what the LORD says: Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, by famine, or by plague, but whoever goes out to the Babylonians will live. He will escape with his life, and he will live.
3Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which shall take it.
3This is what the LORD says: This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, and it will capture it."
4Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
4So the officials said to the king, "We beg you, have this man put to death. By saying such things he is discouraging the soldiers left in this city and all the people. This man is not seeking the good of this people, but their harm."
5Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.
5King Zedekiah replied, "Look, he is in your hands. The king can do nothing to stop you."
6Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
6So they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Malchiah son of Hammelech, which was in the courtyard of the guard, lowering him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.
Ebed-melech Pulls Him Out
7Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
7Now Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the officials in the king's palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the cistern. The king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate at the time,
8Ebedmelech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake to the king, saying,
8so Ebed-melech went out from the palace and spoke to the king:
9My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.
9"My lord the king, these men have done a wicked thing in everything they have done to the prophet Jeremiah. They have thrown him into the cistern, and he will starve to death where he is, because there is no more bread in the city."
10Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
10Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, "Take thirty men from here with you and pull the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies."
11So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
11So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He got some old worn-out clothes and rotten rags from there and lowered them down to Jeremiah in the cistern with ropes.
12And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
12Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, "Put these old worn-out clothes and rags under your arms to pad the ropes." Jeremiah did so,
13So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
13and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard.
Surrender and Live
14Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
14Then King Zedekiah sent for the prophet Jeremiah and had him brought to the third entrance of the house of the LORD. "I am going to ask you something," the king said to Jeremiah. "Do not hide anything from me."
15Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
15Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I tell you, won't you surely put me to death? And if I give you advice, you won't listen to me anyway."
16So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
16But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret, "As surely as the LORD lives, who gave us this life, I will not put you to death, and I will not hand you over to these men who want to kill you."
17Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
17Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, says: If you will surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live.
18But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
18But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians, and they will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape from them."
The King's Fear
19And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
19King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Judeans who have already gone over to the Babylonians. The Babylonians might hand me over to them, and they would make sport of me."
20But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
20"They will not hand you over," Jeremiah said. "Please obey the voice of the LORD in what I am telling you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared.
21But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:
21But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the LORD has shown me:
22And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah’s house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.
22All the women left in the palace of the king of Judah will be led out to the officers of the king of Babylon, and those women will say to you, 'Your trusted friends misled you and got the better of you. Your feet sank in the mud, and they turned and left you.'
23So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
23All your wives and children will be led out to the Babylonians. You yourself will not escape from them; you will be captured by the king of Babylon, and you will be the cause of this city being burned down."
A Cover Story
24Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
24Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Don't let anyone know about this conversation, and you will not die.
25But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:
25If the officials hear that I talked with you, and they come and say to you, 'Tell us what you said to the king and what the king said to you. Don't hide it from us, and we won't put you to death,'
26Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan’s house, to die there.
26then tell them, 'I was pleading with the king not to send me back to Jonathan's house to die there.'"
27Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
27All the officials did come to Jeremiah and question him, and he told them exactly what the king had instructed him to say. So they stopped questioning him, because no one had overheard the conversation.
28So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.
28And Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. He was there when Jerusalem fell.
39
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The City Is Broken Open
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it.
2And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
2In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, on the ninth day of the fourth month, the city wall was broken through.
3And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
3Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came in and took their seats at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.
Zedekiah Captured and Blinded
4And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.
4When Zedekiah king of Judah and all his soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls, and he headed out toward the plain.
5But the Chaldeans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
5But the Babylonian army chased them and caught up with Zedekiah on the plains of Jericho. They captured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him.
6Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
6There at Riblah the king of Babylon killed Zedekiah's sons in front of his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah.
7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
7Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him in chains to take him to Babylon.
The City Burned and Its People Taken
8And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
8The Babylonians set fire to the king's palace and the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.
9Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried off into exile in Babylon the people who were left in the city, those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people who remained.
10But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
10But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.
Jeremiah Set Free
11Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
11Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard these orders about Jeremiah:
12Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
12"Take him and look after him. Do him no harm, but do for him whatever he asks of you."
13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon’s princes;
13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon
14Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
14sent and had Jeremiah taken out of the courtyard of the guard. They handed him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he lived among the people.
A Word for Ebed-melech
15Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
15While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD had come to him:
16Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
16"Go and tell Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says. I am about to carry out my words against this city, for harm and not for good, and on that day they will happen before your eyes.
17But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.
17But I will rescue you on that day, says the LORD; you will not be handed over to the men you fear.
18For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.
18I will surely save you. You will not fall by the sword; you will escape with your life, because you have put your trust in me, says the LORD."
40
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Nebuzaradan Releases Him at Ramah
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives from Jerusalem and Judah who were being taken into exile in Babylon.
2And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
2The captain of the guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, "The LORD your God declared this disaster against this place.
3Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
3And now the LORD has brought it about; he has done just what he said, because you people sinned against the LORD and did not obey his voice. That is why this has happened to you.
4And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
4But today I am setting you free from the chains on your hands. If you would like to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if you would rather not come with me to Babylon, then stay. Look, the whole land is before you; go wherever seems good and right to you."
5Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
5Before Jeremiah had turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, "Or go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed governor over the towns of Judah, and live with him among the people; or go anywhere else you think best." Then the captain of the guard gave him food and a gift and let him go.
6Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
6So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.
Gedaliah Governs from Mizpah
7Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
7When all the army commanders still out in the countryside, together with their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah son of Ahikam governor over the land and had put him in charge of the men, women, and children, the poor of the land who had not been taken into exile in Babylon,
8Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
8they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. They were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai from Netophah, and Jezaniah the son of a Maacathite, together with their men.
9And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
9Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, gave them and their men his oath: "Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians. Settle in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.
10As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
10As for me, I will stay at Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians who come to us. But you go and gather wine, summer fruit, and olive oil, store them in your jars, and live in the towns you have taken over."
The Scattered Return
11Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;
11Likewise, when all the Judeans in Moab, among the Ammonites, in Edom, and in all the other countries heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over them,
12Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
12they all came back from every place they had been scattered to and returned to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and they gathered a great deal of wine and summer fruit.
A Warning Refused
13Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
13Then Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders still out in the countryside came to Gedaliah at Mizpah
14And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
14and said to him, "Do you realize that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to kill you?" But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them.
15Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?
15Then Johanan son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah privately at Mizpah. "Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah," he said, "and no one will know. Why should he take your life, so that all the Judeans gathered around you are scattered and the remnant of Judah perishes?"
16But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
16But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "You must not do such a thing. What you are saying about Ishmael is not true."
41
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Murder at the Table
1Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
1In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood and one of the king's chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and there in Mizpah they ate a meal together.
2Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
2Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the man the king of Babylon had appointed governor over the land.
3Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.
3Ishmael also killed all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, along with the Babylonian soldiers who were there.
Eighty Pilgrims Killed
4And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,
4The day after Gedaliah's murder, before anyone knew about it,
5That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
5eighty men arrived from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria. Their beards were shaved off, their clothes were torn, and they had cut themselves, and they carried grain offerings and incense to bring to the house of the LORD.
6And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
6Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When he reached them he said, "Come and see Gedaliah son of Ahikam."
7And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.
7But when they came into the middle of the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw their bodies into a cistern.
8But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
8But ten of the men said to Ishmael, "Don't kill us! We have supplies of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in a field." So he held back and did not kill them along with the others.
9Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.
9The cistern into which Ishmael threw all the bodies of the men he had killed along with Gedaliah was the one King Asa had made when he was defending himself against Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the dead.
Johanan Overtakes Him at Gibeon
10Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king’s daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.
10Then Ishmael took captive all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah, the king's daughters and everyone else left there whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had placed under Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah carried them off and set out to cross over to the Ammonites.
11But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,
11When Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him heard about all the crimes Ishmael son of Nethaniah had committed,
12Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.
12they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They caught up with him by the great pool at Gibeon.
13Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.
13When all the people with Ishmael saw Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him, they were glad.
14So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.
14All the people Ishmael had carried off from Mizpah turned around and went over to Johanan son of Kareah.
15But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.
15But Ishmael son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men and fled to the Ammonites.
Turning Toward Egypt
16Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:
16Then Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him took charge of all the remaining people they had recovered from Ishmael son of Nethaniah at Mizpah after he had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam: the soldiers, the women, the children, and the court officials whom Johanan had brought back from Gibeon.
17And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
17They set out and stopped at the lodging place of Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go on into Egypt
18Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
18to get away from the Babylonians. They were afraid of them, because Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor over the land.
42
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Remnant Asks Jeremiah to Pray
1Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
1Then all the army commanders, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest came forward
2And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)
2and said to the prophet Jeremiah, "Please hear our request. Pray to the LORD your God for us, for all this remnant, because as you can see, only a few of us are left out of so many.
3That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
3Ask the LORD your God to show us the way we should go and what we should do."
4Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.
4"I have heard you," the prophet Jeremiah answered. "I will pray to the LORD your God as you have asked, and whatever the LORD answers, I will tell you. I will keep nothing back from you."
5Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.
5Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not do everything the LORD your God sends you to tell us.
6Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
6Whether we like it or not, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God."
Stay, and You Will Be Planted
7And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.
7Ten days later the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
8Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
8So he called together Johanan son of Kareah, all the army commanders with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest,
9And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;
9and said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to lay your request before him, says:
10If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
10If you will stay on in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have brought on you.
11Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
11Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, says the LORD, for I am with you to save you and rescue you from his power.
12And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.
12I will show you compassion, so that he will have compassion on you and let you return to your own land.
Egypt Will Not Save Them
13But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
13But if you say, 'We will not stay in this land,' and so disobey the voice of the LORD your God,
14Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
14if you say, 'No, we will go to the land of Egypt, where we will see no war, hear no trumpet, and never go hungry for bread, and we will settle there,'
15And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;
15then hear the word of the LORD, you remnant of Judah. This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: If you are determined to go to Egypt and settle there,
16Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.
16then the sword you fear will overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine you dread will follow right behind you into Egypt, and there you will die.
17So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.
17That is what will happen to everyone who is determined to go to Egypt and settle there: they will die by the sword, by famine, and by plague. Not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring on them.
18For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.
18For this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Just as my anger and fury were poured out on the people of Jerusalem, so my fury will be poured out on you if you go to Egypt. You will become an object of cursing and horror, a curse word and a disgrace, and you will never see this place again.
You Have Already Decided
19The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.
19The LORD has spoken to you, remnant of Judah: Do not go to Egypt. Know for certain that I have warned you today.
20For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.
20You were deceiving yourselves when you sent me to the LORD your God and said, 'Pray to the LORD our God for us, and tell us everything the LORD our God says, and we will do it.'
21And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.
21Today I have told you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God in anything he sent me to tell you.
22Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.
22So now know for certain that you will die by the sword, by famine, and by plague in the place where you want to go and settle."
43
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Called a Liar and Carried to Egypt
1And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
1When Jeremiah had finished telling all the people every word of the LORD their God, all these words that the LORD their God had sent him to bring them,
2Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
2Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the proud men spoke up and said to Jeremiah, "You are lying. The LORD our God did not send you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to live there.'
3But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
3It is Baruch son of Neriah who is stirring you up against us, so that we will be handed over to the Chaldeans to be put to death or carried off as captives to Babylon."
4So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
4So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army captains and all the people refused to obey the voice of the LORD and stay in the land of Judah.
5But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
5Instead Johanan son of Kareah and all the army captains took the whole remnant of Judah, the people who had come back from all the nations where they had been scattered to live in the land of Judah,
6Even men, and women, and children, and the king’s daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
6the men, the women, the children, the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, along with Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah.
7So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.
7They went into the land of Egypt, because they would not obey the voice of the LORD, and they came as far as Tahpanhes.
Stones Buried at Pharaoh's Doorway
8Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
8Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes:
9Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
9"Take some large stones in your hands and bury them in the clay of the brick pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes, while the men of Judah are watching.
10And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
10Then say to them, 'This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to send for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, my servant, and I will set his throne on these stones I have buried, and he will spread his royal canopy over them.
11And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.
11When he comes, he will strike the land of Egypt, handing over to death those marked for death, to captivity those marked for captivity, and to the sword those marked for the sword.
12And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
12I will light a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt; he will burn them and carry the gods away as captives. He will wrap the land of Egypt around himself as easily as a shepherd wraps himself in his cloak, and he will leave there in peace.
13He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.
13He will smash the sacred pillars of Beth-shemesh in the land of Egypt, and he will burn down the temples of the gods of the Egyptians.'"
44
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Word to the Jews Scattered in Egypt
1The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah about all the Jews living in the land of Egypt, at Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Noph, and in the region of Pathros:
2Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,
2"This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster I brought on Jerusalem and on all the towns of Judah. Look, today they lie in ruins, and no one lives in them,
3Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers.
3because of the wickedness they committed to make me angry, going off to burn incense and serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your ancestors had ever known.
4Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.
4Again and again I sent you all my servants the prophets, saying, 'Oh, do not do this disgusting thing that I hate!'
5But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.
5But they would not listen or pay attention; they would not turn from their wickedness and stop burning incense to other gods.
6Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.
6So my fury and my anger were poured out and burned in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, and they became the wasted ruins they are today.
Why Do It Again
7Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;
7"So now this is what the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, says: Why are you doing such great harm to yourselves, cutting off from Judah every man and woman, child and nursing baby, leaving yourselves no one at all?
8In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
8Why do you provoke me to anger with the things your hands have made, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you have come to live? You are cutting yourselves off and making yourselves a curse and a disgrace among all the nations of the earth.
9Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?
9Have you forgotten the wickedness of your ancestors, the wickedness of the kings of Judah and of their wives, and your own wickedness and that of your wives, done in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
10To this day they have not humbled themselves; they have not feared me or lived by my law and my statutes that I set before you and your ancestors.
The Sentence on the Remnant
11Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.
11"Therefore this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: I have set my face against you to bring disaster, and to cut off all of Judah.
12And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
12I will take the remnant of Judah, who were determined to go to the land of Egypt and live there, and they will all perish. They will fall in the land of Egypt, destroyed by sword and famine; from the least to the greatest they will die by sword and famine, and they will become an object of cursing and horror, a curse and a disgrace.
13For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:
13I will punish those living in the land of Egypt just as I punished Jerusalem, with sword, famine, and plague.
14So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
14Not one of the remnant of Judah who went to live in the land of Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, though they long to go back and live there. None will return except a few who escape."
The People Answer: The Queen of Heaven
15Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
15Then all the men who knew their wives had been burning incense to other gods, and all the women standing there, a huge crowd, all the people living in Pathros in the land of Egypt, answered Jeremiah:
16As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
16"We will not listen to the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD.
17But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
17We will go ahead and do everything we ourselves have declared: we will burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. Back then we had plenty of food, we were well off, and we saw no trouble.
18But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
18But ever since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything, and we have been destroyed by sword and famine."
19And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?
19"And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands that we made cakes to worship her and poured out drink offerings to her?"
Jeremiah Answers Men and Women Together
20Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying,
20Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men and the women and everyone who had given him that answer:
21The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?
21"The incense you burned in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your ancestors, your kings and your officials and the people of the land, did the LORD not remember it? Did it not come to his mind?
22So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
22The LORD could no longer put up with your evil deeds and the disgusting things you did, and so your land became the ruin, the horror, and the curse it is today, with no one living in it.
23Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.
23Because you burned incense, because you sinned against the LORD and did not obey the voice of the LORD or live by his law, his statutes, and his testimonies, this disaster has come upon you, as you see today."
Keep Your Vows, Then
24Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt:
24Jeremiah said further to all the people, including all the women, "Hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who are in the land of Egypt.
25Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.
25This is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: You and your wives have spoken with your mouths and carried it out with your hands, saying, 'We will certainly keep the vows we made to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.' Go ahead then, keep your vows! Carry out your vows!
26Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.
26But hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah living in the land of Egypt: I have sworn by my great name, says the LORD, that my name will never again be spoken by anyone from Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, 'As surely as the Lord GOD lives.'
27Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.
27I am watching over them for harm and not for good; every man of Judah in the land of Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all gone.
28Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.
28Only a few will escape the sword and return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah. Then all the remnant of Judah who went to live in the land of Egypt will know whose word stands, mine or theirs.
The Sign of Pharaoh Hophra
29And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:
29This will be the sign to you, says the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, so that you will know that my words against you will surely stand, for your harm:
30Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.
30This is what the LORD says: I am going to hand Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt over to his enemies, to those who want him dead, just as I handed Zedekiah king of Judah over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who wanted him dead."
45
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Word for Baruch the Scribe
1The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,
1This is the message that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch son of Neriah after he had written these words in a scroll at Jeremiah's dictation, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
2Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch:
2"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:
3Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
3You said, 'How miserable I am! The LORD has piled grief on top of my pain; I am worn out with groaning, and I can find no rest.'
4Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
4Here is what you are to say to him: The LORD says this: I am going to tear down what I built and uproot what I planted, and that means this whole land.
5And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
5And are you looking for great things for yourself? Do not look for them. I am bringing disaster on all people, says the LORD, but wherever you go, I will let you escape with your life."
46
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Nations, and Egypt at Carchemish
1The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.
2Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
2Concerning Egypt, about the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was at Carchemish by the river Euphrates when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated it in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
3Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
3"Get your bucklers and shields ready, and march out to battle!
4Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
4Harness the horses; mount up, you horsemen! Take your places with your helmets on; polish the spears and put on your armor.
5Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD.
5But why do I see them panicking and falling back? Their strongest men are crushed; they run away in a rush and do not look back. Fear surrounds them, says the LORD.
6Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
6The swift cannot run away, and the strong cannot escape; up in the north, by the river Euphrates, they stumble and fall.
Egypt Rises Like the Nile and Falls
7Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
7Who is this rising like a flood, whose waters surge like the rivers?
8Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.
8It is Egypt, rising like a flood, its waters surging like the rivers. He says, 'I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the people in it.'
9Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
9Charge, you horses! Race madly, you chariots! Let the warriors march out: the men of Ethiopia and Libya who carry the shield, and the men of Lydia who draw the bow.
10For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
10But that day belongs to the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, when he takes vengeance on his enemies. The sword will devour until it is full, drunk on their blood, for the Lord GOD of hosts is holding a sacrifice in the land of the north by the river Euphrates.
11Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.
11Go up to Gilead and fetch balm, virgin daughter of Egypt! You pile on remedies for nothing; you will not be healed.
12The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.
12The nations have heard of your shame, and your cries fill the earth, for warrior has stumbled against warrior, and both have fallen together."
Nebuchadnezzar Comes Against Egypt
13The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.
13The word the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon coming to strike the land of Egypt:
14Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
14"Announce it in Egypt, proclaim it in Migdol, proclaim it in Noph and in Tahpanhes. Say, 'Take your stand and get ready, for the sword is devouring everything around you.'
15Why are thy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.
15Why have your strong men been swept away? They could not stand, because the LORD drove them down.
16He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.
16He made many stumble; they fell over one another and said, 'Get up! Let us go back to our own people and the land where we were born, away from the cruel sword.'
17They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.
17There they cried out, 'Pharaoh king of Egypt is nothing but noise; he has let his chance slip by.'
18As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.
18As surely as I live, says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, one will come who stands out like Tabor among the mountains and like Carmel by the sea.
19O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.
19Pack your bags for exile, you people living in Egypt, for Noph will become a wasteland, ruined and empty of people.
The Heifer and the Woodcutters
20Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
20Egypt is a beautiful young cow, but destruction is coming; it is coming from the north.
21Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.
21Even the hired soldiers in her ranks are like fattened calves; they too turn and run away together. They cannot stand, for the day of their disaster has come upon them, the time of their punishment.
22The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
22Her sound will be like a snake slipping away, as they march on her in force and come at her with axes, like men felling timber.
23They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable.
23They will chop down her forest, says the LORD, thick as it is, for they outnumber the locusts; they cannot be counted.
24The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.
24The daughter of Egypt will be put to shame; she will be handed over to the people of the north."
Thebes, Pharaoh, and the Gods of Egypt
25The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him:
25The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "I am going to punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt with her gods and her kings; Pharaoh and everyone who trusts in him.
26And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.
26I will hand them over to those who want them dead, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Yet afterward Egypt will be lived in again as in days of old, says the LORD.
Fear Not, Jacob My Servant
27But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.
27But do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will save you from far away, and your descendants from the land of their captivity. Jacob will come home and live in peace and security, and no one will frighten him.
28Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.
28Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, says the LORD, for I am with you. I will bring a complete end to all the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not bring a complete end to you. I will discipline you in fair measure, though I will not let you go entirely unpunished."
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King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Flood Out of the North on Philistia
1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh attacked Gaza.
2Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
2This is what the LORD says: "See how the waters are rising in the north; they will become an overflowing flood. They will sweep over the land and everything in it, the city and the people living in it. Then the men will cry out, and everyone in the land will wail
3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
3at the thunder of his war horses' hooves, the rushing of his chariots, the rumbling of his wheels. Fathers will not look back for their children, because their hands have gone weak,
4Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
4because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines and to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every ally who is left. For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coast of Caphtor.
5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
5Gaza has shaved her head in grief; Ashkelon is silenced, along with what is left of their valley. How long will you cut yourselves in mourning?
The Sword That Cannot Rest
6O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
6'Ah, sword of the LORD, how long before you rest? Go back into your sheath; stop and be still!'
7How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.
7But how can it rest, when the LORD has given it orders? Against Ashkelon and against the seacoast, that is where he has sent it."
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King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Woe Unto Nebo: The Towns of Moab Fall
1Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
1Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "How terrible for Nebo, for it is destroyed! Kiriathaim is disgraced and captured; Misgab is disgraced and shattered.
2There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
2Moab will be praised no more. In Heshbon they plot her downfall: 'Come, let us wipe out that nation.' You too, Madmen, will be cut down; the sword will chase after you.
3A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
3Listen to the cries from Horonaim: ruin and great destruction!
4Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
4Moab is broken; her little ones cry out.
5For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
5Up the road to Luhith they go weeping without stopping; down the road to Horonaim the enemy hears cries of destruction.
6Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
6Run! Save your lives! Be like a bare shrub out in the wilderness.
Chemosh Goes Into Captivity
7For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
7Because you trusted in your own achievements and your treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile together with his priests and his officials.
8And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.
8The destroyer will come against every town, and not one town will escape. The valley will be ruined and the plain laid waste, as the LORD has said.
9Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
9Give Moab wings, so she can fly away and escape, for her towns will become a wasteland with no one living in them.
10Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
10Cursed is anyone who does the LORD's work half-heartedly, and cursed is anyone who holds his sword back from bloodshed.
Wine Left to Settle on Its Lees
11Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
11Moab has been at ease since his youth; he has rested like wine sitting undisturbed on its sediment, never emptied from one vessel into another, and he has never gone into exile. So his flavor has stayed the same, and his aroma has not changed.
12Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
12But the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will send men to pour him out; they will empty his jars and smash his jugs.
13And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.
13Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, just as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, which they trusted in.
14How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
14How can you say, 'We are warriors, strong men ready for battle'?
15Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
15Moab is destroyed, and her towns are overrun; her finest young men go down to the slaughter, says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
16The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
16Moab's downfall is near; his disaster is racing toward him.
17All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!
17Mourn for him, all you who live around him, all who know his name. Say, 'How the strong staff is snapped, the splendid rod!'
The Towns Listed and the Horn Cut Off
18Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
18Come down from your glory and sit on the parched ground, you people of Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab is coming against you, and he will wreck your fortresses.
19O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
19Stand by the road and watch, you who live in Aroer. Ask the man running away and the woman escaping, 'What has happened?'
20Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
20Moab is disgraced, for it has been shattered. Wail and cry out! Announce by the Arnon that Moab is destroyed.
21And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
21Judgment has come upon the land of the plateau: upon Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath,
22And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,
22upon Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim,
23And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon,
23upon Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul, and Beth-meon,
24And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
24upon Kerioth, Bozrah, and all the towns of the land of Moab, far and near.
25The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
25Moab's horn is cut off, and his arm is broken, says the LORD.
Made Drunk for Mocking Israel
26Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
26Make him drunk, for he set himself up against the LORD. Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he too will become a laughingstock.
27For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
27Wasn't Israel your laughingstock? Was he caught among thieves, that whenever you spoke of him you jumped for joy?
28O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth.
28Leave the towns and live among the rocks, you who dwell in Moab. Be like the dove that builds her nest at the mouth of a cave.
29We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
29We have heard of Moab's pride (he is proud beyond measure), of his loftiness, his arrogance, his conceit, and the haughtiness of his heart.
30I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
30I know his insolence, says the LORD, but it is empty; his boasts accomplish nothing.
Weeping for the Vines of Sibmah
31Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.
31So I wail for Moab; I cry out for all of Moab; my heart grieves for the men of Kir-heres.
32O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
32I weep for you, vine of Sibmah, more than Jazer weeps. Your branches spread out to the sea and reached as far as the sea of Jazer, but the destroyer has fallen on your summer fruit and your grape harvest.
33And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
33Joy and gladness are gone from the orchards and fields of Moab. I have stopped the wine flowing from the presses; no one treads the grapes with shouts of joy. There is shouting, but it is not the shout of joy.
34From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.
34The cry from Heshbon rises as far as Elealeh and Jahaz; they lift their voices from Zoar as far as Horonaim, like a three-year-old heifer, for even the waters of Nimrim will dry up.
35Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
35In Moab I will put an end, says the LORD, to those who offer sacrifices on the high places and burn incense to their gods.
Broken Like a Vessel Nobody Wanted
36Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
36So my heart moans for Moab like a flute; it moans like a flute for the men of Kir-heres, because the wealth they gained has vanished.
37For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
37Every head is shaved and every beard cut off; every hand is gashed, and everyone wears sackcloth around the waist.
38There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.
38On every rooftop in Moab and in every street there is nothing but mourning, for I have smashed Moab like a jar no one wants, says the LORD.
39They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
39How shattered it is! How they wail! How Moab has turned its back in shame! Moab has become a laughingstock and a horror to everyone around him.
The Eagle, the Pit and the Snare
40For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
40For this is what the LORD says: Look, an eagle is swooping down, spreading its wings over Moab.
41Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
41Kerioth is captured and the fortresses are seized; on that day the hearts of Moab's warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
42And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.
42Moab will be destroyed as a nation, because he set himself up against the LORD.
43Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.
43Terror, the pit, and the trap lie ahead of you, you who live in Moab, says the LORD.
44He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
44Anyone who runs from the terror will fall into the pit, and anyone who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the trap, for I am bringing on Moab the year of its reckoning, says the LORD.
Fire Out of Heshbon, and a Return
45They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
45Those who fled stand exhausted in the shadow of Heshbon, but a fire has broken out from Heshbon, a flame from the house of Sihon, and it devours the forehead of Moab and the skulls of the noisy boasters.
46Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
46How terrible for you, Moab! The people of Chemosh are finished, for your sons have been taken captive and your daughters carried into exile.
47Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
47Yet in days to come I will restore Moab's fortunes, says the LORD." This is the end of the judgment on Moab.
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King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Word Against Ammon
1Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
1About the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: "Does Israel have no sons? Does he have no heir? Then why has their king taken Gad as his own, and why do his people live in its cities?
2Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.
2So watch: the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will make the alarm of war ring out in Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a desolate heap, and her villages will be burned with fire. Then Israel will take back the land from those who took it from him," says the LORD.
3Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.
3"Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is plundered! Cry out, you daughters of Rabbah; put on sackcloth, mourn, and run back and forth along the hedges, for their king is going into captivity, and his priests and his princes with him.
4Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?
4Why do you boast about your valleys, your flowing valley, you backsliding daughter? You trusted in your treasures and said, 'Who could ever come against me?'
5Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.
5Watch: I am going to bring terror on you," says the Lord GOD of hosts, "from everyone around you. Each of you will be driven straight out, and no one will gather up those who wander away.
6And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.
6But afterward I will bring the people of Ammon back from captivity," says the LORD.
Edom and the Wisdom of Teman
7Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
7About Edom, this is what the LORD of hosts says: "Is there no wisdom left in Teman? Has good advice vanished from the sensible? Has their wisdom disappeared?
8Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.
8Run away, turn back, hide in deep places, you people of Dedan, for I will bring Esau's disaster on him at the time I come to punish him.
9If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
9If people came to pick your grapes, wouldn't they leave a few behind for gleaning? If robbers came at night, they would only wreck things until they had what they wanted.
10But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.
10But I myself have stripped Esau bare and exposed his secret places, so he will not be able to hide. His descendants are ruined, along with his brothers and his neighbors, and he is no more.
11Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
11Leave your orphaned children; I will keep them alive. And let your widows put their trust in me."
The Cup, Bozrah, and the Clefts of the Rock
12For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.
12For this is what the LORD says: "Look, those who did not deserve to drink the cup have surely had to drink it. And are you the one who will go completely unpunished? You will not go unpunished; you will surely drink it.
13For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
13For I have sworn by myself," says the LORD, "that Bozrah will become a ruin, a disgrace, a wasteland, and a curse, and all its towns will be ruins forever."
14I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
14I have heard a message from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent to the nations, saying, "Gather together and come against her; rise up for battle."
15For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
15"Look, I will make you small among the nations and despised among people.
16Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.
16You have been fooled by the fear you stir up in others and by your proud heart, you who live in the cracks of the rock and hold the top of the hill. Even if you set your nest as high as an eagle does, I will bring you down from there," says the LORD.
Edom Made a Desolation
17Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
17"Edom will become a wasteland. Everyone who passes by will be shocked and will hiss at all its wounds.
18As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
18As when Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns were overthrown," says the LORD, "no one will live there; no human being will settle in it.
19Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
19Watch: like a lion coming up from the thick growth along the Jordan against a strong pasture, so I will suddenly make Edom run away from her. Then whom will I choose and appoint over her? For who is like me? Who can call me to account? And what shepherd can stand against me?"
20Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
20So hear the plan the LORD has made against Edom and the purposes he has formed against the people of Teman: surely the littlest of the flock will be dragged away; surely he will make their pastures desolate because of them.
21The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
21The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; the sound of their cry is heard as far as the Red Sea.
22Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
22Watch: he will come up and swoop like an eagle, spreading his wings over Bozrah. On that day the hearts of Edom's mighty men will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
Damascus, Hamath, and Arpad
23Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
23About Damascus: "Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news. They lose heart; there is trouble like the restless sea, which cannot be still.
24Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
24Damascus has grown weak; she has turned to run away, and fear has caught hold of her. Distress and pains have seized her, like a woman giving birth.
25How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
25How is it that the famous city is not deserted, the city of my joy?
26Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
26So her young men will fall in her streets, and all her soldiers will be silenced on that day," says the LORD of hosts.
27And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.
27"And I will light a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it will burn up the palaces of Ben-Hadad."
Kedar and the Kingdoms of Hazor
28Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
28About Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon will strike down, this is what the LORD says: "Get up, go up against Kedar, and plunder the people of the east.
29Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.
29They will carry off their tents and their flocks; they will take their tent curtains, all their goods, and their camels for themselves, and people will shout at them, 'Terror on every side!'
30Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
30Run! Get far away! Hide in deep places, you people of Hazor," says the LORD, "for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has made a plan against you and formed a purpose against you.
31Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
31Get up, go up against the wealthy nation that lives without a care," says the LORD, "a people with neither gates nor bars, who live off by themselves.
32And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.
32Their camels will be taken as loot and their huge herds as plunder. I will scatter to every wind those who live in the farthest corners, and I will bring disaster on them from every side," says the LORD.
33And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.
33"Hazor will become a den for jackals, a wasteland forever. No one will live there; no human being will settle in it."
Elam's Bow Broken
34The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
34The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about Elam, at the start of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah:
35Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
35This is what the LORD of hosts says: "Watch: I will break the bow of Elam, the main source of their strength.
36And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
36I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the sky and scatter them to all those winds, and there will be no nation where the outcasts of Elam do not end up.
37For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:
37I will make Elam terrified before their enemies and before those who want to take their lives. I will bring disaster on them, my fierce anger," says the LORD, "and I will send the sword after them until I have finished them off.
38And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.
38I will set up my throne in Elam and destroy the king and the princes from there," says the LORD.
39But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.
39"But in the days to come I will bring Elam back from captivity," says the LORD.
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King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Babylon Is Taken
1The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.
1The word the LORD spoke against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans through Jeremiah the prophet.
2Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
2"Announce it among the nations and make it known; raise a banner and make it known, and hide nothing. Say, 'Babylon has been captured! Bel is put to shame; Merodach is shattered. Her idols are disgraced; her images are broken to pieces.'
3For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
3For a nation is coming up against her from the north. It will make her land a wasteland where no one lives; both people and animals will pack up and leave.
Israel and Judah Seek the Way to Zion
4In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
4In those days and at that time," says the LORD, "the people of Israel will come, and the people of Judah with them, walking and weeping as they go, and they will seek the LORD their God.
5They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
5They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it, saying, 'Come, let us join ourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.'
6My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
6My people have become sheep that are lost. Their shepherds led them the wrong way and turned them loose on the mountains; they wandered from mountain to hill and forgot their resting place.
7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
7Everyone who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, because they sinned against the LORD, the true pasture of justice, the LORD, the hope of their ancestors.'
Get Out of the Land of the Chaldeans
8Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks.
8Get out of Babylon; leave the land of the Chaldeans, and be like the male goats that lead the flock.
9For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
9For watch: I am going to rouse a company of great nations from the north country and bring them up against Babylon. They will take their places in battle against her, and from there she will be captured. Their arrows will be like those of an expert warrior; not one will come back without hitting its mark.
10And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
10Chaldea will be plundered; everyone who plunders her will get all they want," says the LORD.
Because You Rejoiced Over My Heritage
11Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;
11"Because you were glad, because you celebrated, you who ransacked my inheritance, because you grew fat like a heifer in the pasture and bellowed like bulls,
12Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
12your mother will be deeply shamed; the one who gave you birth will be disgraced. Look: she will be the least of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
13Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
13Because of the LORD's anger she will not be lived in but will be completely deserted. Everyone who passes by Babylon will be shocked and hiss at all her wounds.
14Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.
14Line up for battle against Babylon on every side, all you who draw the bow. Shoot at her; hold back no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD.
15Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.
15Shout against her from every side! She has given up; her foundations have collapsed, her walls are knocked down. This is the LORD's vengeance. Take vengeance on her; do to her what she has done to others.
16Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.
16Cut off the sower from Babylon, and the one who swings the sickle at harvest time. For fear of the cruel sword, everyone will turn back to their own people and run to their own land.
The Lion's Broken Bones and the Flock Brought Home
17Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
17Israel is a scattered sheep chased away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and last of all this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon broke his bones."
18Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
18So this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "Watch: I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria.
19And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.
19And I will bring Israel home to his own grazing land. He will feed on Carmel and Bashan, and on Mount Ephraim and in Gilead he will eat his fill.
20In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
20In those days and at that time," says the LORD, "people will look for Israel's guilt, and there will be none, and for Judah's sins, and they will not be found, for I will pardon the ones I keep alive.
Merathaim, Pekod, and the Hammer of the Earth
21Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
21Go up against the land of Merathaim, yes, against it, and against the people of Pekod. Lay waste and utterly destroy them as you follow after them," says the LORD, "and do everything I have commanded you.
22A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.
22The sound of battle is in the land, the sound of great destruction.
23How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!
23How the hammer of the whole earth is cut apart and broken! How Babylon has become a horror among the nations!
24I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
24I laid a trap for you, Babylon, and you have been caught in it without even realizing. You have been discovered and seized, because you set yourself against the LORD.
25The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
25The LORD has opened his armory and brought out the weapons of his fury, for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
26Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.
26Come against her from the farthest border. Open her granaries; pile her up like heaps of grain and destroy her completely. Let nothing of her be left.
27Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.
27Kill all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. How terrible for them, for their day has come, the time of their punishment.
The Vengeance of His Temple
28The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
28Listen! Those who flee and escape from the land of Babylon are declaring in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, vengeance for his temple.
29Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
29Call the archers together against Babylon, all who draw the bow. Camp around her on every side; let no one escape. Pay her back for what she has done; do to her everything she has done to others, for she has been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
30Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.
30So her young men will fall in the streets, and all her soldiers will be silenced on that day," says the LORD.
31Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee.
31"Watch: I am against you, you proud one," says the Lord GOD of hosts, "for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.
32And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.
32The proud one will stumble and fall, and no one will help him up. I will light a fire in his cities, and it will devour everything around him."
Their Redeemer Is Strong
33Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.
33This is what the LORD of hosts says: "The people of Israel and the people of Judah are oppressed together. All who took them captive hold them tight and refuse to let them go.
34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
34But their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will fully plead their case, so that he can bring rest to the land and trouble to the people of Babylon.
A Sword Upon the Chaldeans
35A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men.
35A sword against the Chaldeans," says the LORD, "and against the people of Babylon, against her princes, and against her wise men!
36A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.
36A sword against the liars, and they will become fools! A sword against her mighty men, and they will be terrified!
37A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
37A sword against their horses and their chariots and all the foreigners living among her, and they will become like women! A sword against her treasures, and they will be robbed!
38A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
38A drought on her waters, and they will dry up! For it is a land of carved idols, and they are crazy about their idols.
39Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.
39So the desert creatures will live there with the wild animals of the islands, and owls will make their home there. It will never be lived in again; no one will settle there from one generation to the next.
40As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
40As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns," says the LORD, "so no one will live there; no human being will settle in it.
A People From the North
41Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
41Watch: a people is on its way from the north, a great nation, and many kings will be roused from the farthest parts of the earth.
42They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
42They hold the bow and the spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, every one lined up like a man ready for battle against you, daughter of Babylon.
43The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.
43The king of Babylon has heard the news about them, and his hands have gone weak. Distress has taken hold of him, pains like a woman giving birth.
44Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
44Watch: like a lion coming up from the thick growth along the Jordan against a strong pasture, so I will suddenly make them run away from her. Then whom will I choose and appoint over her? For who is like me? Who can call me to account? And what shepherd can stand against me?"
45Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.
45So hear the plan the LORD has made against Babylon and the purposes he has formed against the land of the Chaldeans: surely the littlest of the flock will be dragged away; surely he will make their pasture desolate because of them.
46At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.
46At the sound of Babylon's capture the earth shakes, and the cry is heard among the nations.
51
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Destroying Wind and the Winnowers
1Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
1This is what the LORD says: "Watch: I am stirring up a destroying wind against Babylon and against those who live among the people who rise up against me.
2And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.
2I will send winnowers to Babylon who will winnow her and empty out her land, for on the day of trouble they will surround her on every side.
3Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.
3Let the archer draw his bow against the one who draws his, and against the one who struts in his armor. Do not spare her young men; destroy her whole army completely.
4Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.
4So the slain will fall in the land of the Chaldeans, pierced through in her streets.
5For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.
5For Israel has not been abandoned, nor has Judah, by their God, the LORD of hosts, even though their land was full of sin against the Holy One of Israel.
The Golden Cup and the Flight From Babylon
6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
6Escape from the middle of Babylon, and let everyone save his own life. Do not be cut down along with her guilt, for this is the time when the LORD takes vengeance; he is going to pay her back.
7Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
7Babylon has been a golden cup in the LORD's hand, one that made the whole earth drunk. The nations have drunk her wine, and that is why the nations have gone mad.
8Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
8All at once Babylon has fallen and been broken. Cry out over her! Bring healing balm for her wound, in case she might get better.
9We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
9We tried to heal Babylon, but she has not been healed. Abandon her, and let each of us go back to our own country, for her judgment reaches up to heaven; it is lifted as high as the skies.
10The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.
10The LORD has brought our righteousness to light. Come, let us tell in Zion what the LORD our God has done.
The Kings of the Medes
11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
11Sharpen the arrows; take up the shields! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, for his plan is to destroy Babylon. It is the LORD's vengeance, vengeance for his temple.
12Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.
12Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; strengthen the guard, post the watchmen, set the ambushes! For the LORD has both planned and done what he said against the people of Babylon.
13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
13You who make your home by many waters, with treasures piled high, your end has come; the measure of your greed is full.
14The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.
14The LORD of hosts has sworn by himself: "I will surely fill you with soldiers as thick as locusts, and they will raise a victory shout over you."
The Maker of the Earth and the Makers of Idols
15He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
15By his power he made the earth; by his wisdom he set the world firmly in place, and by his understanding he spread out the heavens.
16When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
16When his voice sounds, there is a rush of waters in the sky. He makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning along with the rain and brings the wind out of his storerooms.
17Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
17Every person is dull and knows nothing; every craftsman is put to shame by the idol he has made, for the image he casts is a lie, and there is no breath in any of them.
18They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
18They are worthless, a work of foolishness; when the time comes for them to be punished, they will perish.
19The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.
19The one who is Jacob's portion is nothing like these, for he is the one who shaped everything, and Israel is the people he owns as his own. His name is the LORD of hosts.
You Are My Battle Axe
20Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
20"You are my battle-axe and my weapons of war. With you I will smash nations to pieces, and with you I will destroy kingdoms.
21And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;
21With you I will smash the horse and its rider to pieces; with you I will smash the chariot and its driver to pieces.
22With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;
22With you I will also smash man and woman to pieces; with you I will smash old and young to pieces; with you I will smash the young man and the girl to pieces.
23I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.
23With you I will also smash the shepherd and his flock to pieces; with you I will smash the farmer and his team of oxen to pieces; with you I will smash governors and rulers to pieces.
24And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.
24And before your eyes I will pay back Babylon and everyone who lives in Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion," says the LORD.
The Burnt Mountain
25Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
25"Watch: I am against you, you destroying mountain," says the LORD, "you who destroy the whole earth. I will stretch out my hand against you, roll you down from the cliffs, and make you a burned-out mountain.
26And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD.
26No one will take a cornerstone from you, or a stone for a foundation; you will be desolate forever," says the LORD.
Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz
27Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.
27Raise a banner in the land; blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her; call up the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz against her. Appoint a commander against her; send up horses like bristling locusts.
28Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.
28Prepare the nations against her: the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and every land they rule.
29And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
29The land trembles and writhes, for every purpose the LORD has against Babylon will be carried out: to make the land of Babylon a wasteland with no one living in it.
30The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.
30The mighty men of Babylon have stopped fighting; they stay in their strongholds. Their strength has failed; they have become like women. Her homes are set on fire; the bars of her gates are broken.
31One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,
31One runner runs to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to tell the king of Babylon that his city has been captured at one end,
32And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.
32that the river crossings have been seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers are terrified.
33For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.
33For this is what the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor, and it is time to thresh her. A little while longer, and her harvest time will arrive."
Nebuchadnezzar Devoured Me
34Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.
34"Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured me; he has crushed me. He has made me an empty jar; he has swallowed me like a monster and filled his belly with my delicacies. Then he spat me out.
35The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.
35May the violence done to me and my flesh come back on Babylon," the people of Zion will say. "May my blood be on the people of Chaldea," Jerusalem will say.
36Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.
36So this is what the LORD says: "Watch: I will plead your case and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.
37And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.
37Babylon will become a heap of ruins, a home for jackals, a horror and a hissing, with no one living there.
38They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps.
38Together they roar like lions; they growl like lion cubs.
39In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.
39While they are heated up, I will set out their feast and make them drunk, so that they celebrate and then fall into an everlasting sleep and never wake up," says the LORD.
40I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.
40"I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams and male goats.
Sheshach Taken
41How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
41How Sheshach has been captured! How the pride of the whole earth has been seized! How Babylon has become a horror among the nations!
42The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.
42The sea has risen over Babylon; she is covered by its roaring waves.
43Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.
43Her towns have become a wasteland, a dry land and a desert, a land where no one lives and no human being passes through.
44And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.
44I will punish Bel in Babylon and make him spit out what he has swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him, and the wall of Babylon will fall.
45My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.
45My people, come out of her! Each of you, save your own life from the fierce anger of the LORD.
46And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.
46Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land. One rumor will come one year, and another rumor the next year: violence in the land, ruler against ruler.
Though Babylon Should Mount Up to Heaven
47Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.
47So watch: the days are coming when I will bring judgment on the carved idols of Babylon. Her whole land will be put to shame, and all her slain will lie fallen inside her.
48Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.
48Then heaven and earth and everything in them will shout for joy over Babylon, for the destroyers will come against her from the north," says the LORD.
49As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.
49Just as Babylon caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon the slain of all the earth will fall.
50Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.
50You who have escaped the sword, go! Do not stand still. Remember the LORD from far away, and let Jerusalem come to mind.
51We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’s house.
51"We are ashamed, because we have heard insults; disgrace has covered our faces, for strangers have entered the holy places of the LORD's house."
52Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.
52"So watch: the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will bring judgment on her carved idols, and throughout her land the wounded will groan.
53Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
53Though Babylon should climb as high as heaven, and though she should make her tall fortress stronger still, destroyers will come to her from me," says the LORD.
The Broad Walls of Babylon
54A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:
54The sound of a cry comes from Babylon, the sound of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans,
55Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
55because the LORD is destroying Babylon and silencing her loud voice. Her waves roar like mighty waters; the noise of their voice rings out,
56Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
56because the destroyer has come against her, against Babylon. Her mighty men are captured; every one of their bows is broken. For the LORD is a God who pays back, and he will surely repay.
57And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
57"I will make her princes and wise men drunk, her governors, her officials, and her mighty men. They will fall into an everlasting sleep and never wake up," says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
58Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.
58This is what the LORD of hosts says: "Babylon's thick walls will be completely torn down, and her high gates will be burned with fire. The people will have worked hard for nothing; the nations will have toiled only for the fire, and they will be worn out."
Seraiah Sinks the Scroll in the Euphrates
59The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this Seraiah was a quiet prince.
59This is the message Jeremiah the prophet gave to Seraiah son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went to Babylon with Zedekiah king of Judah in the fourth year of his reign. This Seraiah was a quiet prince.
60So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.
60Jeremiah wrote in a scroll all the disaster that would come on Babylon, all these words that are written against Babylon.
61And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;
61And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, "When you get to Babylon, be sure to read all these words aloud.
62Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.
62Then say, 'O LORD, you have spoken against this place, to cut it off so that nothing remains in it, neither people nor animals, and it will be desolate forever.'
63And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:
63And when you have come to the end of reading this scroll, fasten a stone to it and hurl it into the middle of the Euphrates,
64And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
64and say, 'This is how Babylon will sink, never to rise again from the disaster I am bringing on her. And they will be worn out.'" The words of Jeremiah end here.
52
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Zedekiah's Eleven Years
1Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
1Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah.
2And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
2He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done.
3For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
3Because of the LORD's anger, things came to this in Jerusalem and Judah, until he finally threw them out of his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
The Siege, the Flight, and the Blinding of Zedekiah
4And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.
4So in the ninth year of his reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with his whole army against Jerusalem. They set up camp against it and built siege works all around it.
5So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
5The city stayed under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
6And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.
6By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that there was no bread left for the people of the land.
7Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.
7Then the city wall was broken through, and all the soldiers fled. They left the city by night through the gate between the two walls, near the king's garden, even though the Chaldeans surrounded the city, and they headed toward the plain.
8But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
8But the Chaldean army chased the king and caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army scattered away from him.
9Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.
9They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him.
10And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
10The king of Babylon killed Zedekiah's sons in front of his eyes; he also killed all the officials of Judah at Riblah.
11Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
11Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, took him to Babylon, and kept him in prison until the day he died.
The Temple and the City Burned
12Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,
12Now on the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard who served the king of Babylon, came into Jerusalem.
13And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:
13He burned down the house of the LORD and the king's palace, and he set fire to all the houses of Jerusalem and every house belonging to the important people.
14And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.
14And the whole Chaldean army that was with the captain of the guard tore down all the walls around Jerusalem.
15Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.
15Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried off into exile some of the poorest people, the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the crowd.
16But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.
16But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some of the poorest people of the land behind to tend the vineyards and work the fields.
The Bronze Carried Off, Piece by Piece
17Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.
17The Chaldeans also broke up the bronze pillars that stood in the house of the LORD, the stands, and the bronze sea that was in the house of the LORD, and they carried all that bronze to Babylon.
18The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.
18They took away the pots, the shovels, the wick trimmers, the bowls, the dishes, and all the bronze articles used in the temple service.
19And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.
19The captain of the guard also took the basins, the firepans, the bowls, the pots, the lampstands, the dishes, and the cups—whatever was made of gold as gold, and whatever was made of silver as silver.
20The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brasen bulls that were under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
20As for the two pillars, the one sea, and the twelve bronze bulls under the stands, which King Solomon had made for the house of the LORD, the bronze in all these things was too much to weigh.
21And concerning the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.
21Concerning the pillars: each pillar was eighteen cubits high, a cord of twelve cubits went around it, it was four fingers thick, and it was hollow.
22And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like unto these.
22On top of it sat a bronze capital; each capital was five cubits high, with a network and pomegranates all around the capitals, all made of bronze. The second pillar, with its pomegranates, was just like it.
23And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.
23There were ninety-six pomegranates on each side, and altogether there were a hundred pomegranates on the network all the way around.
The Executions at Riblah
24And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
24The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second-ranking priest, and the three doorkeepers.
25He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king’s person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city.
25From the city he also took an officer who had been in charge of the soldiers; seven men who were among the king's close advisers and were found in the city; the chief secretary of the army, who enlisted the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land who were found inside the city.
26So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.
26Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
27And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.
27And the king of Babylon struck them down and executed them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away into exile from its own land.
The Count of Those Deported
28This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:
28These are the people Nebuchadnezzar carried into exile: in the seventh year, 3,023 Jews;
29In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons:
29in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, 832 people from Jerusalem;
30In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.
30in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried 745 Jews into exile. In all there were 4,600 people.
Jehoiachin Released From Prison
31And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison,
31In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, showed favor to Jehoiachin king of Judah and released him from prison.
32And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon,
32He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor above the seats of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.
33And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life.
33So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he ate at the king's table every day for the rest of his life.
34And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
34As for his living expenses, the king of Babylon gave him a regular allowance, a portion for each day, until the day he died, for as long as he lived.