CHAPTER 1
<<THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JĔR‑Ē‑MĪ‑́ĂH>> The words of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the son of Hĭl‑kī‑́ăh, of the priests that [were] in Ăn‑́ă‑thōth in the land of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn:
2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Jō‑sī‑́ăh the son of Ā‑́mŏn king of Jûd‑́ăh, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
3 It came also in the days of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, unto the carrying away of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm captive in the fifth month.
4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before 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.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.
7 ¶ But 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.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9 Then 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.
10 See, 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.
11 ¶ More­over the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
13 And 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.
14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
15 For, 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 Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Jûd‑́ăh.
16 And 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.
17 ¶ Thou 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.
18 For, 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 Jûd‑́ăh, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
CHAPTER 2
More­over the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2 Go and cry in the ears of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, 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.
3 Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl [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.
4 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jā‑́co̱b, and all the families of the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl:
5 ¶ Thus 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?
6 Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, 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?
7 And 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.
8 The 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 Bā‑́ăl, and walked after [things that] do not profit.
9 ¶ Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead.
10 For pass over the isles of Chĭt‑́tĭm, and see; and send unto Kē‑́där, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
11 Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit.
12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
13 For 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.
14 ¶ [Is] Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl a servant? [is] he a home­born [slave]? why is he spoiled?
15 The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned with­out inhabitant.
16 Also the children of Nŏph and Tă‑hăp‑́ă‑nēṡ have broken the crown of thy head.
17 Hast thou not procured this unto thy­self, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?
18 And now what hast thou to do in the way of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, to drink the waters of Sī‑́hôr? or what hast thou to do in the way of Ăs‑sy̆r‑́ĭ‑ă, to drink the waters of the river?
19 Thine 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.
20 ¶ For 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.
21 Yet 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?
22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, [yet] thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Bā‑́ă‑lĭm? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: [thou art] a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
24 A 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.
25 With­hold 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.
26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
27 Saying 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.
28 But 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 Jûd‑́ăh.
29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
31 ¶ O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days with­out number.
33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
34 Also 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.
35 Yet 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.
36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, as thou wast ashamed of Ăs‑sy̆r‑́ĭ‑ă.
37 Yea, 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.
CHAPTER 3
They 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.
2 Lift 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 Ă‑rā‑́bĭ‑ăn in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
3 Therefore the showers have been with­holden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou [art] the guide of my youth?
5 Will he reserve [his anger] for ever? will he keep [it] to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
6 ¶ The LORD said also unto me in the days of Jō‑sī‑́ăh the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
7 And I said after she had done all these [things], Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Jûd‑́ăh saw [it].
8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Jûd‑́ăh feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Jûd‑́ăh hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl hath justified her­self more than treacherous Jûd‑́ăh.
12 ¶ Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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.
13 Only 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.
14 Turn, 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 Zī‑́o̱n:
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and under­standing.
16 And 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.
17 At that time they shall call Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
18 In those days the house of Jûd‑́ăh shall walk with the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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.
19 But 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.
20 ¶ Surely [as] a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, saith the LORD.
21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping [and] supplications of the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl: for they have perverted their way, [and] they have forgotten the LORD their God.
22 Return, ye backsliding children, [and] I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou [art] the LORD our God.
23 Truly 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 Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl.
24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
25 We 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.
CHAPTER 4
If thou wilt return, O Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
2 And 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.
3 ¶ For thus saith the LORD to the men of Jûd‑́ăh and Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
4 Circumcise your­selves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Jûd‑́ăh and inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.
5 Declare ye in Jûd‑́ăh, and publish in Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble your­selves, and let us go into the defenced cities.
6 Set up the standard toward Zī‑́o̱n: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Ġĕn‑́tīleṡ 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.
8 For this gird you with sack­cloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.
9 And 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.
10 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.
11 At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
12 [Even] a full wind from those [places] shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.
13 Behold, 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.
14 O Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
15 For a voice declareth from Dăn, and publisheth affliction from mount Ē‑́phră‑ĭm.
16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, [that] watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Jûd‑́ăh.
17 As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
18 Thy way and thy doings have procured these [things] unto thee; this [is] thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
19 ¶ My 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.
20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, [and] my curtains in a moment.
21 How long shall I see the standard, [and] hear the sound of the trumpet?
22 For 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.
23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, [it was] with­out form, and void; and the heavens, and they [had] no light.
24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
25 I beheld, and, lo, [there was] no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
26 I 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.
27 For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
28 For 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.
29 The 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.
30 And [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.
31 For 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 Zī‑́o̱n, [that] bewaileth her­self, [that] spreadeth her hands, [saying], Woe [is] me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
CHAPTER 5
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, 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.
2 And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
3 O 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.
4 Therefore I said, Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor] the judgment of their God.
5 I 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.
6 Wherefore 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.
7 ¶ How 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.
8 They were [as] fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour’s wife.
9 Shall I not visit for these [things]? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10 ¶ Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they [are] not the LORD’S.
11 For the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and the house of Jûd‑́ăh have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.
12 They have belied the LORD, and said, [It is] not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
13 And the prophets shall become wind, and the word [is] not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
14 Wherefore 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.
15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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.
16 Their quiver [is] as an open sepulchre, they [are] all mighty men.
17 And 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.
18 Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
19 ¶ And 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.
20 Declare this in the house of Jā‑́co̱b, and publish it in Jûd‑́ăh, saying,
21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and with­out under­standing; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
22 Fear 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?
23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
24 Neither 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.
25 ¶ Your iniquities have turned away these [things], and your sins have with­holden good [things] from you.
26 For among my people are found wicked [men]: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
27 As a cage is full of birds, so [are] their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
28 They 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.
29 Shall I not visit for these [things]? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
30 ¶ A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The 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?
CHAPTER 6
O ye children of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn, gather your­selves to flee out of the midst of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and blow the trumpet in Tĕ‑kō‑́ă, and set up a sign of fire in Bĕth–hăc‑́cĕ‑rĕm: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
2 I have likened the daughter of Zī‑́o̱n to a comely and delicate [woman].
3 The 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.
4 Prepare 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.
5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
6 ¶ For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm: this [is] the city to be visited; she [is] wholly oppression in the midst of her.
7 As 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.
8 Be thou instructed, O Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
9 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grape­gatherer into the baskets.
10 To 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.
11 Therefore 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.
12 And 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.
13 For 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.
14 They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.
15 Were 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.
16 Thus 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].
17 Also I set watch­men over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
18 ¶ Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what [is] among them.
19 Hear, 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.
20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Shē‑́bă, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings [are] not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
21 Therefore 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.
22 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
23 They 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 Zī‑́o̱n.
24 We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.
25 Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy [and] fear [is] on every side.
26 ¶ O 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.
27 I have set thee [for] a tower [and] a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
28 They [are] all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: [they are] brass and iron; they [are] all corrupters.
29 The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
30 Reprobate silver shall [men] call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
CHAPTER 7
The word that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, saying,
2 Stand in the gate of the LORD’S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all [ye of] Jûd‑́ăh, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.
4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.
5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;
6 [If] 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:
7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
8 ¶ Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Bā‑́ăl, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
11 Is 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.
12 But go ye now unto my place which [was] in Shī‑́lōh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl.
13 And 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;
14 Therefore 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 Shī‑́lōh.
15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, [even] the whole seed of Ē‑́phră‑ĭm.
16 Therefore 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.
17 ¶ Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Jûd‑́ăh and in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm?
18 The 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.
19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: [do they] not [provoke] them­selves to the confusion of their own faces?
20 Therefore 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.
21 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.
22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
23 But 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.
24 But 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.
25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]:
26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.
27 Therefore 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.
28 But 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.
29 ¶ Cut off thine hair, [O Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm], and cast [it] away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
30 For the children of Jûd‑́ăh 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.
31 And they have built the high places of Tō‑́phĕt, which [is] in the valley of the son of Hĭn‑́no̱m, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded [them] not, neither came it into my heart.
32 ¶ Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tō‑́phĕt, nor the valley of the son of Hĭn‑́no̱m, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tō‑́phĕt, till there be no place.
33 And 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.
34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, and from the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, 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.
CHAPTER 8
At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Jûd‑́ăh, 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 Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, out of their graves:
2 And 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.
3 And 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.
4 ¶ More­over thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?
5 Why [then] is this people of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
6 I 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.
7 Yea, 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.
8 How 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.
9 The wise [men] are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom [is] in them?
10 Therefore 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.
11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.
12 Were 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.
13 ¶ I 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.
14 Why 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.
15 We looked for peace, but no good [came; and] for a time of health, and behold trouble!
16 The snorting of his horses was heard from Dăn: 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.
17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which [will] not [be] charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
18 ¶ [When] I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart [is] faint in me.
19 Behold 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 Zī‑́o̱n? [is] not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, [and] with strange vanities?
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
22 [Is there] no balm in Gĭl‑́ĕ‑ăd; [is there] no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
CHAPTER 9
Oh 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!
2 Oh 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.
3 And 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.
4 Take 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.
5 And 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.
6 Thine habitation [is] in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.
7 Therefore 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?
8 Their 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.
9 ¶ Shall I not visit them for these [things]? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10 For 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.
11 And I will make Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Jûd‑́ăh desolate, with­out an inhabitant.
12 ¶ Who [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?
13 And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
14 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Bā‑́ă‑lĭm, which their fathers taught them:
15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Behold, I will feed them, [even] this people, with worm­wood, and give them water of gall to drink.
16 I 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.
17 ¶ Thus 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:
18 And 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.
19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zī‑́o̱n, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast [us] out.
20 Yet 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.
21 For 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.
22 Speak, 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].
23 ¶ Thus 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:
24 But 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.
25 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all [them which are] circumcised with the uncircumcised;
26 Ē‑́ġy̆pt, and Jûd‑́ăh, and Ē‑́do̱m, and the children of Ăm‑́mo̱n, and Mō‑́ăb, and all [that are] in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all [these] nations [are] uncircumcised, and all the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl [are] uncircumcised in the heart.
CHAPTER 10
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl:
2 Thus 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.
3 For 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.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They [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.
6 Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might.
7 Who 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.
8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.
9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tär‑́shĭsh, and gold from Ū‑́phăz, 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].
10 But 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.
11 Thus 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.
12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
13 When 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.
14 Every 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.
15 They [are] vanity, [and] the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
16 The portion of Jā‑́co̱b [is] not like them: for he [is] the former of all [things]; and Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl [is] the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts [is] his name.
17 ¶ Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
18 For 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].
19 ¶ Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this [is] a grief, and I must bear it.
20 My 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.
21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Jûd‑́ăh desolate, [and] a den of dragons.
23 ¶ O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in him­self: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
25 Pour 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 Jā‑́co̱b, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
CHAPTER 11
The word that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, saying,
2 Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Jûd‑́ăh, and to the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm;
3 And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Cursed [be] the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day [that] I brought them forth out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, 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:
5 That 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.
6 Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, and in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day [that] I brought them up out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, [even] unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
8 Yet 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.
9 And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Jûd‑́ăh, and among the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
10 They 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 Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and the house of Jûd‑́ăh have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
11 ¶ Therefore 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.
12 Then shall the cities of Jûd‑́ăh and inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm 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.
13 For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Jûd‑́ăh; and [according to] the number of the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm have ye set up altars to [that] shameful thing, [even] altars to burn incense unto Bā‑́ăl.
14 Therefore 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.
15 What 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.
16 The 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.
17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and of the house of Jûd‑́ăh, which they have done against them­selves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Bā‑́ăl.
18 ¶ And the LORD hath given me knowledge [of it], and I know [it]: then thou shewedst me their doings.
19 But 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.
20 But, 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.
21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Ăn‑́ă‑thōth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
22 Therefore 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:
23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Ăn‑́ă‑thōth, [even] the year of their visitation.
CHAPTER 12
Righteous [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?
2 Thou 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.
3 But 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.
4 How 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.
5 ¶ If 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 Jôr‑́dăn?
6 For 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.
7 ¶ I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
8 Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
9 Mine 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.
10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
11 They have made it desolate, [and being] desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth [it] to heart.
12 The 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.
13 They 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.
14 ¶ Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Jûd‑́ăh from among them.
15 And 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.
16 And 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 Bā‑́ăl; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.
CHAPTER 13
Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.
2 So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put [it] on my loins.
3 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,
4 Take the girdle that thou hast got, which [is] upon thy loins, and arise, go to E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.
5 So I went, and hid it by E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ, as the LORD commanded me.
6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
7 Then I went to E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ, 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.
8 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Jûd‑́ăh, and the great pride of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
10 This 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.
11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and the whole house of Jûd‑́ăh, 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.
12 ¶ Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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?
13 Then 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 Dā‑́vĭd’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, with drunkenness.
14 And 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.
15 ¶ Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
16 Give 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.
17 But 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.
18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble your­selves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, [even] the crown of your glory.
19 The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open [them]: Jûd‑́ăh shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where [is] the flock [that] was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
21 What 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?
22 ¶ And 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.
23 Can the Ē‑thĭ‑ō‑́pĭ‑ăn change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [then] may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
24 Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
25 This [is] thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
26 Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.
27 I 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 Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm! wilt thou not be made clean? when [shall it] once [be]?
CHAPTER 14
The word of the LORD that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh concerning the dearth.
2 Jûd‑́ăh mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm is gone up.
3 And 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.
4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plow­men were ashamed, they covered their heads.
5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook [it], because there was no grass.
6 And 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.
7 ¶ O 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.
8 O the hope of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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?
9 Why 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.
10 ¶ Thus 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.
11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for [their] good.
12 When 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.
13 ¶ Then 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.
14 Then 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.
15 Therefore 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.
16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm 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.
17 ¶ Therefore 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.
18 If 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.
19 Hast thou utterly rejected Jûd‑́ăh? hath thy soul lothed Zī‑́o̱n? 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!
20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, [and] the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.
21 Do not abhor [us], for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
22 Are there [any] among the vanities of the Ġĕn‑́tīleṡ 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].
CHAPTER 15
Then said the LORD unto me, Though Mō‑́ṡĕṡ and Săm‑́ū‑ĕl stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.
2 And 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.
3 And 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.
4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Mă‑năs‑́sēh the son of Hĕz‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, for [that] which he did in Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
5 For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?
6 Thou 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.
7 And 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.
8 Their 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.
9 She 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.
10 ¶ Woe 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.
11 The 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.
12 Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
13 Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil with­out price, and [that] for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.
14 And 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.
15 ¶ O 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.
16 Thy 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.
17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
18 Why 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?
19 ¶ Therefore 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.
20 And 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.
21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
CHAPTER 16
The word of the LORD came also unto me, saying,
2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.
3 For 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;
4 They 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.
5 For 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.
6 Both 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:
7 Neither 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.
8 Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.
9 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; 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.
10 ¶ And 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?
11 Then 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;
12 And 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:
13 Therefore 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.
14 ¶ Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt;
15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl 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.
16 ¶ Behold, 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.
17 For mine eyes [are] upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
18 And 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.
19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Ġĕn‑́tīleṡ 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.
20 Shall a man make gods unto him­self, and they [are] no gods?
21 Therefore, 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.
CHAPTER 17
The sin of Jûd‑́ăh [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;
2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
3 O 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.
4 And 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.
5 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
6 For 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.
7 Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
8 For 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.
9 ¶ The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10 I 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.
11 [As] 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.
12 ¶ A glorious high throne from the beginning [is] the place of our sanctuary.
13 O LORD, the hope of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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.
14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou [art] my praise.
15 ¶ Behold, they say unto me, Where [is] the word of the LORD? let it come now.
16 As 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.
17 Be not a terror unto me: thou [art] my hope in the day of evil.
18 Let 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.
19 ¶ Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Jûd‑́ăh come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm;
20 And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Jûd‑́ăh, and all Jûd‑́ăh, and all the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, that enter in by these gates:
21 Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to your­selves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring [it] in by the gates of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm;
22 Neither 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.
23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
24 And 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;
25 Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of Dā‑́vĭd, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Jûd‑́ăh, and the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm: and this city shall remain for ever.
26 And they shall come from the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, and from the places about Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and from the land of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn, 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.
27 But 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 Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and it shall not be quenched.
CHAPTER 18
The word which came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, saying,
2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4 And 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].
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6 O house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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 Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl.
7 [At what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy [it];
8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
9 And [at what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant [it];
10 If 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.
11 ¶ Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Jûd‑́ăh, and to the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, 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.
12 And 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.
13 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl hath done a very horrible thing.
14 Will [a man] leave the snow of Lĕb‑́ă‑no̱n [which cometh] from the rock of the field? [or] shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?
15 Because 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;
16 To make their land desolate, [and] a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.
17 I 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.
18 ¶ Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh; 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.
19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
20 Shall 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.
21 Therefore 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.
22 Let 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.
23 Yet, 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.
CHAPTER 19
Thus 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;
2 And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hĭn‑́no̱m, which [is] by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,
3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Jûd‑́ăh, and inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which who­soever heareth, his ears shall tingle.
4 Because 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 Jûd‑́ăh, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
5 They have built also the high places of Bā‑́ăl, to burn their sons with fire [for] burnt offerings unto Bā‑́ăl, which I commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind:
6 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tō‑́phĕt, nor The valley of the son of Hĭn‑́no̱m, but The valley of slaughter.
7 And I will make void the counsel of Jûd‑́ăh and Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm 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.
8 And 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.
9 And 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.
10 Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,
11 And 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 Tō‑́phĕt, till [there be] no place to bury.
12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and [even] make this city as Tō‑́phĕt:
13 And the houses of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and the houses of the kings of Jûd‑́ăh, shall be defiled as the place of Tō‑́phĕt, 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.
14 Then came Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from Tō‑́phĕt, 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,
15 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; 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.
CHAPTER 20
Now Păsh‑́u̇r the son of Ĭm‑́mĕr the priest, who [was] also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh prophesied these things.
2 Then Păsh‑́u̇r smote Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet, and put him in the stocks that [were] in the high gate of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn, which [was] by the house of the LORD.
3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Păsh‑́u̇r brought forth Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh out of the stocks. Then said Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Păsh‑́u̇r, but Mā‑́gôr–mĭs‑sā‑́bĭb.
4 For 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 Jûd‑́ăh into the hand of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and he shall carry them captive into Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and shall slay them with the sword.
5 More­over 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 Jûd‑́ăh will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
6 And thou, Păsh‑́u̇r, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
7 ¶ O 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.
8 For 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.
9 Then 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].
10 ¶ For 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.
11 But 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.
12 But, 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.
13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evil­doers.
14 ¶ Cursed [be] the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
15 Cursed [be] the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
16 And 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;
17 Because 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].
18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
CHAPTER 21
The word which came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, when king Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh sent unto him Păsh‑́u̇r the son of Mĕl‑chī‑́ăh, and Zĕph‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of Mā‑ă‑se᷍i‑́ăh the priest, saying,
2 Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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.
3 ¶ Then said Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh:
4 Thus saith the LORD God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, where­with ye fight against the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and [against] the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, which besiege you with­out the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.
5 And 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.
6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.
7 And after­ward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, 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 Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
8 ¶ And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
9 He 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 C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.
10 For 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and he shall burn it with fire.
11 ¶ And touching the house of the king of Jûd‑́ăh, [say], Hear ye the word of the LORD;
12 O house of Dā‑́vĭd, 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.
13 Behold, 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?
14 But 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.
CHAPTER 22
Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Jûd‑́ăh, and speak there this word,
2 And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Jûd‑́ăh, that sittest upon the throne of Dā‑́vĭd, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:
3 Thus 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.
4 For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of Dā‑́vĭd, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
5 But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
6 For thus saith the LORD unto the king’s house of Jûd‑́ăh; Thou [art] Gĭl‑́ĕ‑ăd unto me, [and] the head of Lĕb‑́ă‑no̱n: [yet] surely I will make thee a wilderness, [and] cities [which] are not inhabited.
7 And 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.
8 And 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?
9 Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.
10 ¶ Weep 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.
11 For thus saith the LORD touching Shăl‑́lŭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, which reigned instead of Jō‑sī‑́ăh his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:
12 But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.
13 ¶ Woe 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;
14 That 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.
15 Shalt 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?
16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then [it was] well [with him: was] not this to know me? saith the LORD.
17 But 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].
18 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh; 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!
19 He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
20 ¶ Go up to Lĕb‑́ă‑no̱n, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bā‑́shăn, and cry from the pass­ages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.
21 I 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.
22 The 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.
23 O inhabitant of Lĕb‑́ă‑no̱n, 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!
24 [As] I live, saith the LORD, though Cō‑nī‑́ăh the son of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm king of Jûd‑́ăh were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
25 And 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 Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and into the hand of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns.
26 And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.
27 But to the land where­unto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
28 [Is] this man Cō‑nī‑́ăh 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?
29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
30 Thus 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 Dā‑́vĭd, and ruling any more in Jûd‑́ăh.
CHAPTER 23
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl 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.
3 And 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.
4 And 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.
5 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto Dā‑́vĭd a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In his days Jûd‑́ăh shall be saved, and Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt;
8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
9 ¶ Mine 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.
10 For 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.
11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.
12 Wherefore 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.
13 And I have seen folly in the prophets of Să‑mâr‑́ĭ‑ă; they prophesied in Bā‑́ăl, and caused my people Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl to err.
14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm 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 Sŏd‑́o̱m, and the inhabitants thereof as Gō‑mŏr‑́răh.
15 Therefore 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 Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
16 Thus 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.
17 They 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.
18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard [it]?
19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
20 The 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.
21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22 But 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.
23 [Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
24 Can 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.
25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
26 How long shall [this] be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, [they are] prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27 Which 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 Bā‑́ăl.
28 The 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.
29 [Is] not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
31 Behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32 Behold, 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.
33 ¶ And 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.
34 And [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.
35 Thus 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?
36 And 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.
37 Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
38 But 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;
39 Therefore, 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:
40 And I will bring an ever­lasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
CHAPTER 24
The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs [were] set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n had carried away captive Jĕc‑ō‑nī‑́ăh the son of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm king of Jûd‑́ăh, and the princes of Jûd‑́ăh, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and had brought them to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
2 One 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.
3 Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
4 ¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Jûd‑́ăh, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns for [their] good.
6 For 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.
7 And 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.
8 ¶ And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king of Jûd‑́ăh, and his princes, and the residue of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt:
9 And 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.
10 And 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.
CHAPTER 25
The word that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh concerning all the people of Jûd‑́ăh in the fourth year of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, that [was] the first year of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n;
2 The which Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet spake unto all the people of Jûd‑́ăh, and to all the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, saying,
3 From the thirteenth year of Jō‑sī‑́ăh the son of Ā‑́mŏn king of Jûd‑́ăh, 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.
4 And 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.
5 They 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:
6 And 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.
7 Yet 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.
8 ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,
9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
10 More­over 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.
11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n seventy years.
12 ¶ And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, [that] I will punish the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, and will make it perpetual desolations.
13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, [even] all that is written in this book, which Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh hath prophesied against all the nations.
14 For 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.
15 ¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl 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.
16 And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.
17 Then took I the cup at the LORD’S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
18 [To wit], Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, 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;
19 Phâr‑́a̅o̅h king of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;
20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Ŭz, and all the kings of the land of the Phĭl‑́ĭs‑tīneṡ, and Ăsh‑́kĕ‑lo̱n, and Ăz‑́zăh, and Ĕk‑́rŏn, and the remnant of Ăsh‑́dŏd,
21 Ē‑́do̱m, and Mō‑́ăb, and the children of Ăm‑́mo̱n,
22 And all the kings of Tȳ‑́rŭs, and all the kings of Zī‑́dŏn, and the kings of the isles which [are] beyond the sea,
23 Dē‑́dăn, and Tē‑́mă, and Bŭz, and all [that are] in the utmost corners,
24 And all the kings of Ă‑rā‑́bĭ‑a, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,
25 And all the kings of Zĭm‑́rī, and all the kings of Ē‑́lăm, and all the kings of the Mēdeṡ,
26 And 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 Shē‑́shăc͟h shall drink after them.
27 Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
28 And 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.
29 For, 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.
30 Therefore 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.
31 A 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.
32 Thus 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.
33 And 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.
34 ¶ Howl, 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.
35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
36 A 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.
37 And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
38 He 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.
CHAPTER 26
In the beginning of the reign of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh came this word from the LORD, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
3 If 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.
4 And 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,
5 To 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;
6 Then will I make this house like Shī‑́lōh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
7 So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
8 ¶ Now it came to pass, when Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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.
9 Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shī‑́lōh, and this city shall be desolate with­out an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh in the house of the LORD.
10 ¶ When the princes of Jûd‑́ăh 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].
11 Then 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.
12 ¶ Then spake Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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.
13 Therefore 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.
14 As for me, behold, I [am] in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.
15 But 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.
16 ¶ Then 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.
17 Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
18 Mī‑́căh the Mō‑răs‑́thīte prophesied in the days of Hĕz‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, and spake to all the people of Jûd‑́ăh, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zī‑́o̱n shall be plowed [like] a field, and Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
19 Did Hĕz‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh and all Jûd‑́ăh 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.
20 And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Ū‑rī‑́jăh the son of Shĕm‑a᷍i‑́ăh of Kĭr‑́jăth–jē‑́ă‑rĭm, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh:
21 And when Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Ū‑rī‑́jăh heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Ē‑́ġy̆pt;
22 And Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the king sent men into Ē‑́ġy̆pt, [namely], Ĕl‑nā‑́thăn the son of Ăc͟h‑́bôr, and [certain] men with him into Ē‑́ġy̆pt.
23 And they fetched forth Ū‑rī‑́jăh out of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, and brought him unto Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
24 Nevertheless the hand of Ă‑hī‑́kăm the son of Shā‑́phăn was with Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
CHAPTER 27
In the beginning of the reign of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh came this word unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
3 And send them to the king of Ē‑́do̱m, and to the king of Mō‑́ăb, and to the king of the Ăm‑́mo̱n‑ītes, and to the king of Tȳ‑́rŭs, and to the king of Zī‑́dŏn, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm unto Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh;
4 And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Thus shall ye say unto your masters;
5 I 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.
6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
7 And 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.
8 And it shall come to pass, [that] the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
9 Therefore 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n:
10 For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.
11 But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.
12 ¶ I spake also to Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and serve him and his people, and live.
13 Why 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n?
14 Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
15 For 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.
16 Also 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
17 Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?
18 But 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 Jûd‑́ăh, and at Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, go not to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
19 ¶ For 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,
20 Which Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n took not, when he carried away captive Jĕc‑ō‑nī‑́ăh the son of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm king of Jûd‑́ăh from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and all the nobles of Jûd‑́ăh and Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm;
21 Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, concerning the vessels that remain [in] the house of the LORD, and [in] the house of the king of Jûd‑́ăh and of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm;
22 They shall be carried to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
CHAPTER 28
And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, in the fourth year, [and] in the fifth month, [that] Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of Ā‑́zu̇r the prophet, which [was] of Gĭb‑́ĕ‑o̱n, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD’S house, that Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n took away from this place, and carried them to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n:
4 And I will bring again to this place Jĕc‑ō‑nī‑́ăh the son of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm king of Jûd‑́ăh, with all the captives of Jûd‑́ăh, that went into Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
5 ¶ Then the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said unto the prophet Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
6 Even the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said, Ä‑́mĕn: 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n into this place.
7 Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
8 The 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.
9 The 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.
10 ¶ Then Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh’s neck, and brake it.
11 And Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh went his way.
12 ¶ Then the word of the LORD came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh [the prophet], after that Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
13 Go and tell Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.
15 ¶ Then said the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh unto Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the prophet, Hear now, Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
16 Therefore 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.
17 So Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
CHAPTER 29
Now these [are] the words of the letter that Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet sent from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm 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 Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär had carried away captive from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n;
2 (After that Jĕc‑ō‑nī‑́ăh the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Jûd‑́ăh and Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm;)
3 By the hand of Ĕl‑ā‑́săh the son of Shā‑́phăn, and Gĕm‑ă‑rī‑́ăh the son of Hĭl‑kī‑́ăh, (whom Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh sent unto Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n to Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n) saying,
4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm unto Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n;
5 Build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
6 Take 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.
7 And 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.
8 ¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; 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.
9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
10 ¶ For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
11 For 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.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And 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.
15 ¶ Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n;
16 [Know] that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of Dā‑́vĭd, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, [and] of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
17 Thus 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.
18 And 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:
19 Because 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.
20 ¶ Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n:
21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, of Ā‑́hăb the son of Kō‑la᷍i‑́ăh, and of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the son of Mā‑ă‑se᷍i‑́ăh, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Jûd‑́ăh which [are] in Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, saying, The LORD make thee like Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh and like Ā‑́hăb, whom the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n roasted in the fire;
23 Because they have committed villany in Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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.
24 ¶ [Thus] shalt thou also speak to Shĕm‑a᷍i‑́ăh the Nĕ‑hĕl‑́ă‑mīte, saying,
25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that [are] at Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and to Zĕph‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of Mā‑ă‑se᷍i‑́ăh the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑dă 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.
27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh of Ăn‑́ă‑thōth, which maketh him­self a prophet to you?
28 For therefore he sent unto us [in] Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, saying, This [captivity is] long: build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
29 And Zĕph‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the priest read this letter in the ears of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet.
30 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shĕm‑a᷍i‑́ăh the Nĕ‑hĕl‑́ă‑mīte; Because that Shĕm‑a᷍i‑́ăh hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shĕm‑a᷍i‑́ăh the Nĕ‑hĕl‑́ă‑mīte, 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.
CHAPTER 30
The word that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, saying,
2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and Jûd‑́ăh, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
4 ¶ And these [are] the words that the LORD spake concerning Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and concerning Jûd‑́ăh.
5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
6 Ask 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?
7 Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jā‑́co̱b’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
8 For 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:
9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and Dā‑́vĭd their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
10 ¶ Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jā‑́co̱b, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jā‑́co̱b shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make [him] afraid.
11 For 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.
12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise [is] incurable, [and] thy wound [is] grievous.
13 [There is] none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
14 All 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.
15 Why 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.
16 Therefore 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.
17 For 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] Zī‑́o̱n, whom no man seeketh after.
18 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jā‑́co̱b’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.
19 And 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.
20 Their children also shall be as afore­time, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
21 And 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.
22 And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
24 The 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.
CHAPTER 31
At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, and they shall be my people.
2 Thus saith the LORD, The people [which were] left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; [even] Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, when I went to cause him to rest.
3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an ever­lasting love: therefore with loving­kindness have I drawn thee.
4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
5 Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Să‑mâr‑́ĭ‑ă: the planters shall plant, and shall eat [them] as common things.
6 For there shall be a day, [that] the watch­men upon the mount Ē‑́phră‑ĭm shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zī‑́o̱n unto the LORD our God.
7 For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jā‑́co̱b, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl.
8 Behold, 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.
9 They 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 Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, and Ē‑́phră‑ĭm [is] my first­born.
10 ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.
11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jā‑́co̱b, and ransomed him from the hand of [him that was] stronger than he.
12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zī‑́o̱n, 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.
13 Then 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.
14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
15 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Rā‑́măh, lamentation, [and] bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they [were] not.
16 Thus 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.
17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
18 ¶ I have surely heard Ē‑́phră‑ĭm 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.
19 Surely 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.
20 [Is] Ē‑́phră‑ĭm 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.
21 Set thee up way­marks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the high­way, [even] the way [which] thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, turn again to these thy cities.
22 ¶ How 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.
23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Jûd‑́ăh and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, [and] mountain of holiness.
24 And there shall dwell in Jûd‑́ăh itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husband­men, and they [that] go forth with flocks.
25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
26 Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.
27 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and the house of Jûd‑́ăh with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
28 And 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.
29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.
30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
31 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, and with the house of Jûd‑́ăh:
32 Not 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 Ē‑́ġy̆pt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; 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.
34 And 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.
35 ¶ Thus 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:
36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, [then] the seed of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
37 Thus 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 Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
38 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hăn‑́ă‑ne᷍el unto the gate of the corner.
39 And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gâr‑́ĕb, and shall compass about to Gō‑́ăth.
40 And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kī‑́drŏn, 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.
CHAPTER 32
The word that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD in the tenth year of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, which [was] the eighteenth year of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär.
2 For then the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’s army besieged Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm: and Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Jûd‑́ăh’s house.
3 For Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and he shall take it;
4 And Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh shall not escape out of the hand of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
5 And he shall lead Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, ye shall not prosper?
6 ¶ And Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
7 Behold, Hăn‑́ă‑me᷍el the son of Shăl‑́lŭm thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that [is] in Ăn‑́ă‑thōth: for the right of redemption [is] thine to buy [it].
8 So Hăn‑́ă‑me᷍el 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 Ăn‑́ă‑thōth, which [is] in the country of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn: 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.
9 And I bought the field of Hăn‑́ă‑me᷍el my uncle’s son, that [was] in Ăn‑́ă‑thōth, and weighed him the money, [even] seventeen shē‑́kĕls of silver.
10 And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed [it], and took witnesses, and weighed [him] the money in the balances.
11 So I took the evidence of the purchase, [both] that which was sealed [according] to the law and custom, and that which was open:
12 And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh, the son of Mā‑ă‑se᷍i‑́ăh, in the sight of Hăn‑́ă‑me᷍el mine uncle’s [son], and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Je̅w̅ṡ that sat in the court of the prison.
13 ¶ And I charged Bâr‑́ŭc͟h before them, saying,
14 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; 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.
15 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
16 ¶ Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,
17 Ah 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:
18 Thou 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,
19 Great 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:
20 Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, [even] unto this day, and in Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, and among [other] men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
21 And hast brought forth thy people Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;
22 And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
23 And 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:
24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, 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].
25 And 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 C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns.
26 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
27 Behold, I [am] the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
28 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, and into the hand of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and he shall take it:
29 And the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, 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 Bā‑́ăl, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.
30 For the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and the children of Jûd‑́ăh have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
31 For 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,
32 Because of all the evil of the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and of the children of Jûd‑́ăh, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Jûd‑́ăh, and the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
33 And 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.
34 But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
35 And they built the high places of Bā‑́ăl, which [are] in the valley of the son of Hĭn‑́no̱m, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] unto Mō‑́lĕc͟h; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Jûd‑́ăh to sin.
36 ¶ And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
37 Behold, 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:
38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
39 And 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:
40 And 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.
41 Yea, 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.
42 For 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.
43 And 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 C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns.
44 Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal [them], and take witnesses in the land of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn, and in the places about Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and in the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, 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.
CHAPTER 33
More­over the word of the LORD came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD [is] his name;
3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
4 For thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Jûd‑́ăh, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;
5 They come to fight with the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, 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.
6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.
7 And I will cause the captivity of Jûd‑́ăh and the captivity of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl to return, and will build them, as at the first.
8 And 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.
9 ¶ And 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.
10 Thus 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 Jûd‑́ăh, and in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, that are desolate, with­out man, and with­out inhabitant, and with­out beast,
11 The 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.
12 Thus 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.
13 In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn, and in the places about Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and in the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth [them], saith the LORD.
14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and to the house of Jûd‑́ăh.
15 ¶ In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto Dā‑́vĭd; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
16 In those days shall Jûd‑́ăh be saved, and Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm shall dwell safely: and this [is the name] where­with she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
17 ¶ For thus saith the LORD; Dā‑́vĭd shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl;
18 Neither shall the priests the Lē‑́vītes want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.
19 ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
20 Thus 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;
21 [Then] may also my covenant be broken with Dā‑́vĭd my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Lē‑́vītes the priests, my ministers.
22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of Dā‑́vĭd my servant, and the Lē‑́vītes that minister unto me.
23 More­over the word of the LORD came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
24 Considerest 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.
25 Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant [be] not with day and night, [and if] I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jā‑́co̱b, and Dā‑́vĭd my servant, [so] that I will not take [any] of his seed [to be] rulers over the seed of Ā‑́bră‑hăm, Ī‑́ṡa̅a̅c, and Jā‑́co̱b: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
CHAPTER 34
The word which came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, when Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and against all the cities thereof, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Go and speak to Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and he shall burn it with fire:
3 And 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
4 Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:
5 [But] 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.
6 Then Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet spake all these words unto Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh in Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm,
7 When the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’s army fought against Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and against all the cities of Jûd‑́ăh that were left, against Lā‑́c͟hĭsh, and against Ă‑zē‑́kăh: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Jûd‑́ăh.
8 ¶ [This is] the word that came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, after that the king Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh had made a covenant with all the people which [were] at Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, to proclaim liberty unto them;
9 That every man should let his man­servant, and every man his maid­servant, [being] an Hē‑́bre̅w̅ or an Hē‑́bre̅w̅‑ĕss, go free; that none should serve him­self of them, [to wit], of a Je̅w̅ his brother.
10 Now 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.
11 But 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.
12 ¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, saying,
13 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, out of the house of bond­men, saying,
14 At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hē‑́bre̅w̅, 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.
15 And 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:
16 But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his hand­maid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for hand­maids.
17 Therefore 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.
18 And 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,
19 The princes of Jûd‑́ăh, and the princes of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;
20 I 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.
21 And Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’s army, which are gone up from you.
22 Behold, 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 Jûd‑́ăh a desolation with­out an inhabitant.
CHAPTER 35
The word which came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD in the days of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, saying,
2 Go unto the house of the Rē‑́c͟hăb‑ītes, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.
3 Then I took Jā‑ăz‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, the son of Hă‑băz‑ĭ‑nī‑́ăh, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rē‑́c͟hăb‑ītes;
4 And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hā‑́năn, the son of Ĭg‑dă‑lī‑́ăh, a man of God, which [was] by the chamber of the princes, which [was] above the chamber of Mā‑ă‑se᷍i‑́ăh the son of Shăl‑́lŭm, the keeper of the door:
5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rē‑́c͟hăb‑ītes pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.
6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jŏn‑́ă‑dăb the son of Rē‑́c͟hăb our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, [neither] ye, nor your sons for ever:
7 Neither 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.
8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jŏn‑́ă‑dăb the son of Rē‑́c͟hăb our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
9 Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:
10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jŏn‑́ă‑dăb our father commanded us.
11 But it came to pass, when Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm for fear of the army of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, and for fear of the army of the Sy̆r‑́ĭ‑ăns: so we dwell at Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
12 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Go and tell the men of Jûd‑́ăh and the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.
14 The words of Jŏn‑́ă‑dăb the son of Rē‑́c͟hăb, 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.
15 I 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.
16 Because the sons of Jŏn‑́ă‑dăb the son of Rē‑́c͟hăb have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
17 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Behold, I will bring upon Jûd‑́ăh and upon all the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm 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.
18 ¶ And Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said unto the house of the Rē‑́c͟hăb‑ītes, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jŏn‑́ă‑dăb your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
19 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Jŏn‑́ă‑dăb the son of Rē‑́c͟hăb shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.
CHAPTER 36
And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, [that] this word came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, saying,
2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, and against Jûd‑́ăh, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Jō‑sī‑́ăh, even unto this day.
3 It may be that the house of Jûd‑́ăh 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.
4 Then Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh called Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh: and Bâr‑́ŭc͟h wrote from the mouth of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
5 And Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh commanded Bâr‑́ŭc͟h, saying, I [am] shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:
6 Therefore 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 Jûd‑́ăh that come out of their cities.
7 It 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.
8 And Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh did according to all that Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD’S house.
9 And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, in the ninth month, [that] they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and to all the people that came from the cities of Jûd‑́ăh unto Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
10 Then read Bâr‑́ŭc͟h in the book the words of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gĕm‑ă‑rī‑́ăh the son of Shā‑́phăn 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.
11 ¶ When Mī‑c͟ha᷍i‑́ăh the son of Gĕm‑ă‑rī‑́ăh, the son of Shā‑́phăn, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
12 Then he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, [even] Ē‑lī‑́shă‑mă the scribe, and Dĕl‑a᷍i‑́ăh the son of Shĕm‑a᷍i‑́ăh, and Ĕl‑nā‑́thăn the son of Ăc͟h‑́bôr, and Gĕm‑ă‑rī‑́ăh the son of Shā‑́phăn, and Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the son of Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, and all the princes.
13 Then Mī‑c͟ha᷍i‑́ăh declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Bâr‑́ŭc͟h read the book in the ears of the people.
14 Therefore all the princes sent Jĕ‑hū‑́dī the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, the son of Shĕl‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, the son of Cū‑́shī, unto Bâr‑́ŭc͟h, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
15 And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Bâr‑́ŭc͟h read [it] in their ears.
16 Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Bâr‑́ŭc͟h, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
17 And they asked Bâr‑́ŭc͟h, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
18 Then Bâr‑́ŭc͟h answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote [them] with ink in the book.
19 Then said the princes unto Bâr‑́ŭc͟h, Go, hide thee, thou and Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh; and let no man know where ye be.
20 ¶ And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Ē‑lī‑́shă‑mă the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
21 So the king sent Jĕ‑hū‑́dī to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Ē‑lī‑́shă‑mă the scribe’s chamber. And Jĕ‑hū‑́dī read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
22 Now the king sat in the winter­house in the ninth month: and [there was a fire] on the hearth burning before him.
23 And it came to pass, [that] when Jĕ‑hū‑́dī 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.
24 Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, [neither] the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.
25 Nevertheless Ĕl‑nā‑́thăn and Dĕl‑a᷍i‑́ăh and Gĕm‑ă‑rī‑́ăh had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.
26 But the king commanded Jĕ‑räh‑́me᷍el the son of Hăm‑́mĕ‑lĕc͟h, and Sĕ‑ra᷍i‑́ăh the son of Ăz‑́rĭ‑ĕl, and Shĕl‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the son of Ăb‑́de᷍el, to take Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the scribe and Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet: but the LORD hid them.
27 ¶ Then the word of the LORD came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Bâr‑́ŭc͟h wrote at the mouth of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the king of Jûd‑́ăh hath burned.
29 And thou shalt say to Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm king of Jûd‑́ăh, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
30 Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm king of Jûd‑́ăh; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of Dā‑́vĭd: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
31 And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and upon the men of Jûd‑́ăh, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
32 ¶ Then took Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh another roll, and gave it to Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the scribe, the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh all the words of the book which Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm king of Jûd‑́ăh had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
CHAPTER 37
And king Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh reigned instead of Cō‑nī‑́ăh the son of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm, whom Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n made king in the land of Jûd‑́ăh.
2 But 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 Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh.
3 And Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king sent Jĕ‑hū‑́căl the son of Shĕl‑ē‑mī‑́ăh and Zĕph‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of Mā‑ă‑se᷍i‑́ăh the priest to the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.
4 Now Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison.
5 Then Phâr‑́a̅o̅h’s army was come forth out of Ē‑́ġy̆pt: and when the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns that besieged Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm heard tidings of them, they departed from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
6 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
7 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Thus shall ye say to the king of Jûd‑́ăh, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Phâr‑́a̅o̅h’s army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Ē‑́ġy̆pt into their own land.
8 And the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.
9 Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not your­selves, saying, The C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.
10 For though ye had smitten the whole army of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns 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.
11 ¶ And it came to pass, that when the army of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns was broken up from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm for fear of Phâr‑́a̅o̅h’s army,
12 Then Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh went forth out of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm to go into the land of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn, to separate him­self thence in the midst of the people.
13 And when he was in the gate of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn, a captain of the ward [was] there, whose name [was] Ī‑rī‑́jăh, the son of Shĕl‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, the son of Hăn‑ă‑nī‑́ăh; and he took Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns.
14 Then said Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, [It is] false; I fall not away to the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns. But he hearkened not to him: so Ī‑rī‑́jăh took Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, and brought him to the princes.
15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jŏn‑́ă‑thăn the scribe: for they had made that the prison.
16 ¶ When Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh had remained there many days;
17 Then Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh 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 Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
18 More­over Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said unto king Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?
19 Where [are] now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n shall not come against you, nor against this land?
20 Therefore 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 Jŏn‑́ă‑thăn the scribe, lest I die there.
21 Then Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king commanded that they should commit Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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 Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh remained in the court of the prison.
CHAPTER 38
Then Shĕph‑ă‑tī‑́ăh the son of Măt‑́tăn, and Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Păsh‑́u̇r, and Jû‑́căl the son of Shĕl‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, and Păsh‑́u̇r the son of Măl‑chī‑́ăh, heard the words that Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh had spoken unto all the people, saying,
2 Thus 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 C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.
3 Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’s army, which shall take it.
4 Therefore 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.
5 Then Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king said, Behold, he [is] in your hand: for the king [is] not [he that] can do [any] thing against you.
6 Then took they Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, and cast him into the dungeon of Măl‑chī‑́ăh the son of Hăm‑́mĕ‑lĕc͟h, that [was] in the court of the prison: and they let down Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh with cords. And in the dungeon [there was] no water, but mire: so Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh sunk in the mire.
7 ¶ Now when Ē‑́bĕd–mĕ‑́lĕc͟h the Ē‑thĭ‑ō‑́pĭ‑ăn, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Bĕn‑́jă‑mĭn;
8 Ē‑́bĕd–mĕ‑́lĕc͟h went forth out of the king’s house, and spake to the king, saying,
9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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.
10 Then the king commanded Ē‑́bĕd–mĕ‑́lĕc͟h the Ē‑thĭ‑ō‑́pĭ‑ăn, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
11 So Ē‑́bĕd–mĕ‑́lĕc͟h 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 Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh.
12 And Ē‑́bĕd–mĕ‑́lĕc͟h the Ē‑thĭ‑ō‑́pĭ‑ăn said unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, Put now [these] old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine arm­holes under the cords. And Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh did so.
13 So they drew up Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh remained in the court of the prison.
14 ¶ Then Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king sent, and took Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet unto him into the third entry that [is] in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
15 Then Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said unto Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh, 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?
16 So Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king sware secretly unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, 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.
17 Then said Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh unto Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
18 But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
19 And Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king said unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, I am afraid of the Je̅w̅ṡ that are fallen to the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
20 But Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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.
21 But if thou refuse to go forth, this [is] the word that the LORD hath shewed me:
22 And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Jûd‑́ăh’s house [shall be] brought forth to the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’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.
23 So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
24 ¶ Then said Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
25 But 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:
26 Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jŏn‑́ă‑thăn’s house, to die there.
27 Then came all the princes unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, 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.
28 So Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm was taken: and he was [there] when Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm was taken.
CHAPTER 39
In the ninth year of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, in the tenth month, came Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n and all his army against Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and they besieged it.
2 [And] in the eleventh year of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh, in the fourth month, the ninth [day] of the month, the city was broken up.
3 And all the princes of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n came in, and sat in the middle gate, [even] Nĕr‑́găl–shă‑rē‑́zĕr, Săm‑́gär–nē‑́bō, Sär‑́sĕ‑c͟hĭm, Răb–́săr‑ĭs, Nĕr‑́găl–shă‑rē‑́zĕr, Răb–́măg, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
4 ¶ And it came to pass, [that] when Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king of Jûd‑́ăh 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.
5 But the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns’ army pursued after them, and over­took Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh in the plains of Jĕr‑́ĭ‑c͟hō: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑nĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n to Rĭb‑́lăh in the land of Hā‑́măth, where he gave judgment upon him.
6 Then the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n slew the sons of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh in Rĭb‑́lăh before his eyes: also the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n slew all the nobles of Jûd‑́ăh.
7 More­over he put out Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
8 ¶ And the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm.
9 Then Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard carried away captive into Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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.
10 But Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Jûd‑́ăh, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
11 ¶ Now Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n gave charge concerning Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh to Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard, saying,
12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
13 So Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard sent, and Nĕ‑bū‑shăṡ‑́băn, Răb–́săr‑ĭs, and Nĕr‑́găl–shă‑rē‑́zĕr, Răb–́măg, and all the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n’s princes;
14 Even they sent, and took Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm the son of Shā‑́phăn, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
15 ¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
16 Go and speak to Ē‑́bĕd–mĕ‑́lĕc͟h the Ē‑thĭ‑ō‑́pĭ‑ăn, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; 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.
17 But 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.
18 For 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.
CHAPTER 40
The word that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh from the LORD, after that Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard had let him go from Rā‑́măh, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm and Jûd‑́ăh, which were carried away captive unto Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
2 And the captain of the guard took Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
3 Now 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.
4 And 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, forbear: behold, all the land [is] before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
5 Now while he was not yet gone back, [he said], Go back also to Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm the son of Shā‑́phăn, whom the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n hath made governor over the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, 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.
6 Then went Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh unto Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm to Mĭz‑́păh; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
7 ¶ Now when all the captains of the forces which [were] in the fields, [even] they and their men, heard that the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n had made Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n;
8 Then they came to Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh to Mĭz‑́păh, even Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, and Jō‑hā‑́năn and Jŏn‑́ă‑thăn the sons of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and Sĕ‑ra᷍i‑́ăh the son of Tăn‑hū‑́mĕth, and the sons of Ē‑́pha᷍i the Nĕ‑tŏph‑́ă‑thīte, and Jĕz‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of a Mā‑ăc͟h‑́ă‑thīte, they and their men.
9 And Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm the son of Shā‑́phăn sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and it shall be well with you.
10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mĭz‑́păh to serve the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, 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.
11 Likewise when all the Je̅w̅ṡ that [were] in Mō‑́ăb, and among the Ăm‑́mo̱n‑ītes, and in Ē‑́do̱m, and that [were] in all the countries, heard that the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n had left a remnant of Jûd‑́ăh, and that he had set over them Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm the son of Shā‑́phăn;
12 Even all the Je̅w̅ṡ returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Jûd‑́ăh, to Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh, unto Mĭz‑́păh, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
13 ¶ More­over Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the captains of the forces that [were] in the fields, came to Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh to Mĭz‑́păh,
14 And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Bā‑́ă‑lĭs the king of the Ăm‑́mo̱n‑ītes hath sent Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh to slay thee? But Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm believed them not.
15 Then Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh spake to Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh in Mĭz‑́păh secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, and no man shall know [it]: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Je̅w̅ṡ which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Jûd‑́ăh perish?
16 But Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm said unto Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl.
CHAPTER 41
Now it came to pass in the seventh month, [that] Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of Ē‑lī‑́shă‑mă, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm to Mĭz‑́păh; and there they did eat bread together in Mĭz‑́păh.
2 Then arose Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm the son of Shā‑́phăn with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n had made governor over the land.
3 Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl also slew all the Je̅w̅ṡ that were with him, [even] with Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh, at Mĭz‑́păh, and the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns that were found there, [and] the men of war.
4 And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh, and no man knew [it],
5 That there came certain from Shē‑́c͟hĕm, from Shī‑́lōh, and from Să‑mâr‑́ĭ‑ă, [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.
6 And Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh went forth from Mĭz‑́păh to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm.
7 And it was [so], when they came into the midst of the city, that Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh slew them, [and cast them] into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that [were] with him.
8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl, 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.
9 Now the pit wherein Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh, [was] it which Ā‑́să the king had made for fear of Bā‑ăsh‑́ă king of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl: [and] Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh filled it with [them that were] slain.
10 Then Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl carried away captive all the residue of the people that [were] in Mĭz‑́păh, [even] the king’s daughters, and all the people that remained in Mĭz‑́păh, whom Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard had committed to Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm: and Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ăm‑́mo̱n‑ītes.
11 ¶ But when Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the captains of the forces that [were] with him, heard of all the evil that Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh had done,
12 Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, and found him by the great waters that [are] in Gĭb‑́ĕ‑o̱n.
13 Now it came to pass, [that] when all the people which [were] with Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl saw Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the captains of the forces that [were] with him, then they were glad.
14 So all the people that Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl had carried away captive from Mĭz‑́păh cast about and returned, and went unto Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh.
15 But Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh escaped from Jō‑hā‑́năn with eight men, and went to the Ăm‑́mo̱n‑ītes.
16 Then took Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the captains of the forces that [were] with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh, from Mĭz‑́păh, after [that] he had slain Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm, [even] mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gĭb‑́ĕ‑o̱n:
17 And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chĭm‑́hăm, which is by Bĕth–́lĕ‑hĕm, to go to enter into Ē‑́ġy̆pt,
18 Because of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns: for they were afraid of them, because Ĭsh‑́mā‑ĕl the son of Nĕth‑ă‑nī‑́ăh had slain Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm, whom the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n made governor in the land.
CHAPTER 42
Then all the captains of the forces, and Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and Jĕz‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the son of Hō‑sha᷍i‑́ăh, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
2 And said unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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:)
3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
4 Then Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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.
5 Then they said to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, 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.
6 Whether [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.
7 ¶ And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh.
8 Then called he Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the captains of the forces which [were] with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
9 And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;
10 If 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.
11 Be not afraid of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.
13 ¶ But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
15 And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Jûd‑́ăh; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Ē‑́ġy̆pt, and go to sojourn there;
16 Then it shall come to pass, [that] the sword, which ye feared, shall over­take you there in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Ē‑́ġy̆pt; and there ye shall die.
17 So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Ē‑́ġy̆pt 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.
18 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Ē‑́ġy̆pt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.
19 ¶ The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Jûd‑́ăh; Go ye not into Ē‑́ġy̆pt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.
20 For 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].
21 And [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.
22 Now 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.
CHAPTER 43
And it came to pass, [that] when Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh 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,
2 Then spake Ăz‑ă‑rī‑́ăh the son of Hō‑sha᷍i‑́ăh, and Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the proud men, saying unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Ē‑́ġy̆pt to sojourn there:
3 But Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
4 So Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Jûd‑́ăh.
5 But Jō‑hā‑́năn the son of Kă‑rē‑́ăh, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Jûd‑́ăh, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Jûd‑́ăh;
6 [Even] men, and women, and children, and the king’s daughters, and every person that Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard had left with Gĕd‑ă‑lī‑́ăh the son of Ă‑hī‑́kăm the son of Shā‑́phăn, and Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet, and Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh.
7 So they came into the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they [even] to Täh‑́păn‑hēṡ.
8 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh in Täh‑́păn‑hēṡ, saying,
9 Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which [is] at the entry of Phâr‑́a̅o̅h’s house in Täh‑́păn‑hēṡ, in the sight of the men of Jûd‑́ăh;
10 And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Behold, I will send and take Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
11 And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, [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.
12 And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Ē‑́ġy̆pt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array him­self with the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
13 He shall break also the images of Bĕth–shē‑́mĕsh, that [is] in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt; and the houses of the gods of the Ē‑ġy̆p‑́ti̅ăns shall he burn with fire.
CHAPTER 44
The word that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh concerning all the Je̅w̅ṡ which dwell in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, which dwell at Mĭg‑́dŏl, and at Täh‑́păn‑hēṡ, and at Nŏph, and in the country of Păth‑́rŏs, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and upon all the cities of Jûd‑́ăh; and, behold, this day they [are] a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,
3 Because 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.
4 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them], saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.
5 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.
6 Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Jûd‑́ăh and in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm; and they are wasted [and] desolate, as at this day.
7 Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Jûd‑́ăh, to leave you none to remain;
8 In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, 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?
9 Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Jûd‑́ăh, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Jûd‑́ăh, and in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm?
10 They 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.
11 ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Jûd‑́ăh.
12 And I will take the remnant of Jûd‑́ăh, that have set their faces to go into the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt; 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.
13 For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, as I have punished Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:
14 So that none of the remnant of Jûd‑́ăh, which are gone into the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Jûd‑́ăh, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
15 ¶ Then 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 Ē‑́ġy̆pt, in Păth‑́rŏs, answered Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, saying,
16 [As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
17 But 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 Jûd‑́ăh, and in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
18 But 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.
19 And 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?
20 ¶ Then Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him [that] answer, saying,
21 The incense that ye burned in the cities of Jûd‑́ăh, and in the streets of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, 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?
22 So 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.
23 Because 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.
24 More­over Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Jûd‑́ăh that [are] in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt:
25 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, 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.
26 Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Jûd‑́ăh that dwell in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt; 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 Jûd‑́ăh in all the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.
27 Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Jûd‑́ăh that [are] in the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.
28 Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt into the land of Jûd‑́ăh, and all the remnant of Jûd‑́ăh, that are gone into the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.
29 ¶ And 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:
30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Phâr‑́a̅o̅h–hŏph‑́ră king of Ē‑́ġy̆pt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh into the hand of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, his enemy, and that sought his life.
CHAPTER 45
The word that Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet spake unto Bâr‑́ŭc͟h the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh, in the fourth year of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, unto thee, O Bâr‑́ŭc͟h;
3 Thou 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.
4 ¶ Thus 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.
5 And 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.
CHAPTER 46
The word of the LORD which came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet against the Ġĕn‑́tīleṡ;
2 Against Ē‑́ġy̆pt, against the army of Phâr‑́a̅o̅h–nē‑́c͟hō king of Ē‑́ġy̆pt, which was by the river E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ in Cär‑c͟hē‑́mĭsh, which Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n smote in the fourth year of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm the son of Jō‑sī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh.
3 Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horse­men, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines.
5 Wherefore 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.
6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ.
7 Who [is] this [that] cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
8 Ē‑́ġy̆pt 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.
9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ē‑thĭ‑ō‑́pĭ‑ăns and the Lĭb‑́y̆‑ăns, that handle the shield; and the Ly̆d‑́ĭ‑ăns, that handle [and] bend the bow.
10 For 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 E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ.
11 Go up into Gĭl‑́ĕ‑ăd, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Ē‑́ġy̆pt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.
12 The 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.
13 ¶ The word that the LORD spake to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet, how Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n should come [and] smite the land of Ē‑́ġy̆pt.
14 Declare ye in Ē‑́ġy̆pt, and publish in Mĭg‑́dŏl, and publish in Nŏph and in Täh‑́păn‑hēṡ: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
15 Why are thy valiant [men] swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.
16 He 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.
17 They did cry there, Phâr‑́a̅o̅h king of Ē‑́ġy̆pt [is but] a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.
18 [As] I live, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tā‑́bôr [is] among the mountains, and as Cär‑́mĕl by the sea, [so] shall he come.
19 O thou daughter dwelling in Ē‑́ġy̆pt, furnish thy­self to go into captivity: for Nŏph shall be waste and desolate with­out an inhabitant.
20 Ē‑́ġy̆pt [is like] a very fair heifer, [but] destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
21 Also 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.
22 The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
23 They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and [are] innumerable.
24 The daughter of Ē‑́ġy̆pt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.
25 The LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of Nō, and Phâr‑́a̅o̅h, and Ē‑́ġy̆pt, with their gods, and their kings; even Phâr‑́a̅o̅h, and [all] them that trust in him:
26 And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and into the hand of his servants: and after­ward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.
27 ¶ But fear not thou, O my servant Jā‑́co̱b, and be not dismayed, O Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jā‑́co̱b shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make [him] afraid.
28 Fear thou not, O Jā‑́co̱b 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.
CHAPTER 47
The word of the LORD that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet against the Phĭl‑́ĭs‑tīneṡ, before that Phâr‑́a̅o̅h smote Gā‑́ză.
2 Thus 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.
3 At 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;
4 Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Phĭl‑́ĭs‑tīneṡ, [and] to cut off from Tȳ‑́rŭs and Zī‑́dŏn every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Phĭl‑́ĭs‑tīneṡ, the remnant of the country of Căph‑́tôr.
5 Baldness is come upon Gā‑́ză; Ăsh‑́kĕ‑lo̱n is cut off [with] the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thy­self?
6 O thou sword of the LORD, how long [will it be] ere thou be quiet? put up thy­self into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
7 How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ăsh‑́kĕ‑lo̱n, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.
CHAPTER 48
Against Mō‑́ăb thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Woe unto Nē‑́bō! for it is spoiled: Kĭr‑ĭ‑ă‑thā‑́ĭm is confounded [and] taken: Mĭs‑́găb is confounded and dismayed.
2 [There shall be] no more praise of Mō‑́ăb: in Hĕsh‑́bŏn they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from [being] a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Măd‑́mĕn; the sword shall pursue thee.
3 A voice of crying [shall be] from Hŏr‑ō‑nā‑́ĭm, spoiling and great destruction.
4 Mō‑́ăb is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
5 For in the going up of Lū‑́hĭth continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Hŏr‑ō‑nā‑́ĭm the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
7 ¶ For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and C͟hē‑́mŏsh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together.
8 And 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.
9 Give wings unto Mō‑́ăb, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, with­out any to dwell therein.
10 Cursed [be] he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed [be] he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
11 ¶ Mō‑́ăb 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.
12 Therefore, 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.
13 And Mō‑́ăb shall be ashamed of C͟hē‑́mŏsh, as the house of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl was ashamed of Bĕth–́ĕl their confidence.
14 ¶ How say ye, We [are] mighty and strong men for the war?
15 Mō‑́ăb 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.
16 The calamity of Mō‑́ăb [is] near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
17 All 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!
18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dī‑́bŏn, come down from [thy] glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Mō‑́ăb shall come upon thee, [and] he shall destroy thy strong holds.
19 O inhabitant of Ă‑rō‑́ĕr, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, [and] say, What is done?
20 Mō‑́ăb is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Är‑́nŏn, that Mō‑́ăb is spoiled,
21 And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Hō‑́lŏn, and upon Jă‑hā‑́zăh, and upon Mĕph‑́ā‑ăth,
22 And upon Dī‑́bŏn, and upon Nē‑́bō, and upon Bĕth–dĭb‑lă‑thā‑́ĭm,
23 And upon Kĭr‑ĭ‑ă‑thā‑́ĭm, and upon Bĕth–găm‑́ŭl, and upon Bĕth–mē‑́ŏn,
24 And upon Kĕr‑́ĭ‑ōth, and upon Bŏz‑́răh, and upon all the cities of the land of Mō‑́ăb, far or near.
25 The horn of Mō‑́ăb is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
26 ¶ Make ye him drunken: for he magnified [him­self] against the LORD: Mō‑́ăb also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
27 For was not Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
28 O ye that dwell in Mō‑́ăb, 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.
29 We have heard the pride of Mō‑́ăb, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
30 I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but [it shall] not [be] so; his lies shall not so effect [it].
31 Therefore will I howl for Mō‑́ăb, and I will cry out for all Mō‑́ăb; [mine heart] shall mourn for the men of Kĭr–hē‑́rĕṡ.
32 O vine of Sĭb‑́măh, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jā‑́zĕr: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach [even] to the sea of Jā‑́zĕr: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Mō‑́ăb; and I have caused wine to fail from the wine­presses: none shall tread with shouting; [their] shouting [shall be] no shouting.
34 From the cry of Hĕsh‑́bŏn [even] unto Ĕl‑ē‑ā‑́lēh, [and even] unto Jā‑́hăz, have they uttered their voice, from Zō‑́är [even] unto Hŏr‑ō‑nā‑́ĭm, [as] an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nĭm‑́rĭm shall be desolate.
35 More­over I will cause to cease in Mō‑́ăb, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
36 Therefore mine heart shall sound for Mō‑́ăb like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kĭr–hē‑́rĕṡ: because the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished.
37 For every head [shall be] bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands [shall be] cuttings, and upon the loins sack­cloth.
38 [There shall be] lamentation generally upon all the house­tops of Mō‑́ăb, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Mō‑́ăb like a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure, saith the LORD.
39 They shall howl, [saying], How is it broken down! how hath Mō‑́ăb turned the back with shame! so shall Mō‑́ăb be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
40 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Mō‑́ăb.
41 Kĕr‑́ĭ‑ōth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Mō‑́ăb at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
42 And Mō‑́ăb shall be destroyed from [being] a people, because he hath magnified [him­self] against the LORD.
43 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [shall be] upon thee, O inhabitant of Mō‑́ăb, saith the LORD.
44 He 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 Mō‑́ăb, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
45 They that fled stood under the shadow of Hĕsh‑́bŏn because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Hĕsh‑́bŏn, and a flame from the midst of Sī‑́hŏn, and shall devour the corner of Mō‑́ăb, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
46 Woe be unto thee, O Mō‑́ăb! the people of C͟hē‑́mŏsh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
47 ¶ Yet will I bring again the captivity of Mō‑́ăb in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far [is] the judgment of Mō‑́ăb.
CHAPTER 49
Concerning the Ăm‑́mo̱n‑ītes, thus saith the LORD; Hath Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl no sons? hath he no heir? why [then] doth their king inherit Găd, and his people dwell in his cities?
2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Răb‑́băh of the Ăm‑́mo̱n‑ītes; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.
3 Howl, O Hĕsh‑́bŏn, for Ā‑́ī is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Răb‑́băh, 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.
4 Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, [saying], Who shall come unto me?
5 Behold, 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.
6 And after­ward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ăm‑́mo̱n, saith the LORD.
7 ¶ Concerning Ē‑́do̱m, thus saith the LORD of hosts; [Is] wisdom no more in Tē‑́măn? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dē‑́dăn; for I will bring the calamity of Ē‑́sa᷍u upon him, the time [that] I will visit him.
9 If grape­gatherers come to thee, would they not leave [some] gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
10 But I have made Ē‑́sa᷍u 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.
11 Leave thy father­less children, I will preserve [them] alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
12 For 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].
13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bŏz‑́răh shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
14 I 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.
15 For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, [and] despised among men.
16 Thy 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.
17 Also Ē‑́do̱m shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
18 As in the over­throw of Sŏd‑́o̱m and Gō‑mŏr‑́răh and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jôr‑́dăn 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?
20 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Ē‑́do̱m; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Tē‑́măn: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
21 The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bŏz‑́răh: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Ē‑́do̱m be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
23 ¶ Concerning Dă‑măs‑́cŭs. Hā‑́măth is confounded, and Är‑́păd: for they have heard evil tidings: they are faint­hearted; [there is] sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
24 Dă‑măs‑́cŭs 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.
25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
26 Therefore 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.
27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Dă‑măs‑́cŭs, and it shall consume the palaces of Bĕn–hā‑́dăd.
28 ¶ Concerning Kē‑́där, and concerning the kingdoms of Hā‑́zôr, which Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kē‑́där, and spoil the men of the east.
29 Their 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.
30 ¶ Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hā‑́zôr, saith the LORD; for Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
31 Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth with­out care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, [which] dwell alone.
32 And 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.
33 And Hā‑́zôr 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.
34 ¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet against Ē‑́lăm in the beginning of the reign of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh king of Jûd‑́ăh, saying,
35 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Ē‑́lăm, the chief of their might.
36 And upon Ē‑́lăm 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 Ē‑́lăm shall not come.
37 For I will cause Ē‑́lăm 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:
38 And I will set my throne in Ē‑́lăm, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.
39 ¶ But it shall come to pass in the latter days, [that] I will bring again the captivity of Ē‑́lăm, saith the LORD.
CHAPTER 50
The word that the LORD spake against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n [and] against the land of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns by Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet.
2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n is taken, Bĕl is confounded, Mĕr‑́ō‑́dăc͟h is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
3 For 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.
4 ¶ In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl shall come, they and the children of Jûd‑́ăh together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
5 They shall ask the way to Zī‑́o̱n with their faces thither­ward, [saying], Come, and let us join our­selves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant [that] shall not be forgotten.
6 My 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.
7 All 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.
8 Remove out of the midst of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and go forth out of the land of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, and be as the he goats before the flocks.
9 ¶ For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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.
10 And C͟hăl‑dē‑́ă shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
11 Because 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;
12 Your 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.
13 Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
14 Put your­selves in array against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.
15 Shout 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.
16 Cut off the sower from Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
17 ¶ Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Ăs‑sy̆r‑́ĭ‑ă hath devoured him; and last this Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n hath broken his bones.
18 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; Behold, I will punish the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n and his land, as I have punished the king of Ăs‑sy̆r‑́ĭ‑ă.
19 And I will bring Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Cär‑́mĕl and Bā‑́shăn, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ē‑́phră‑ĭm and Gĭl‑́ĕ‑ăd.
20 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none; and the sins of Jûd‑́ăh, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
21 ¶ Go up against the land of Mĕr‑ă‑thā‑́ĭm, [even] against it, and against the inhabitants of Pē‑́kŏd: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
22 A sound of battle [is] in the land, and of great destruction.
23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n become a desolation among the nations!
24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
25 The 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 C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns.
26 Come against her from the utmost border, open her store­houses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.
27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.
28 The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, to declare in Zī‑́o̱n the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
29 Call together the archers against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n: 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 Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl.
30 Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.
31 Behold, 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.
32 And 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.
33 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl and the children of Jûd‑́ăh [were] oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.
34 Their 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
35 ¶ A sword [is] upon the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and upon her princes, and upon her wise [men].
36 A sword [is] upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword [is] upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.
37 A 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.
38 A 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.
39 Therefore 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.
40 As God over­threw Sŏd‑́o̱m and Gō‑mŏr‑́răh and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD; [so] shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
41 Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
42 They 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
43 The king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.
44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jôr‑́dăn 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?
45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make [their] habitation desolate with them.
46 At the noise of the taking of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.
CHAPTER 51
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
2 And will send unto Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.
3 Against [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.
4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, and [they that are] thrust through in her streets.
5 For Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl [hath] not [been] forsaken, nor Jûd‑́ăh of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl.
6 Flee out of the midst of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
7 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n [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.
8 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
9 We would have healed Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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.
10 The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zī‑́o̱n the work of the LORD our God.
11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Mēdeṡ: for his device [is] against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, [and] the measure of thy covetousness.
14 The 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.
15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his under­standing.
16 When 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.
17 Every 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.
18 They [are] vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
19 The portion of Jā‑́co̱b [is] not like them; for he [is] the former of all things: and [Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl is] the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts [is] his name.
20 Thou [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;
21 And 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;
22 With 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;
23 I 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.
24 And I will render unto Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n and to all the inhabitants of C͟hăl‑dē‑́ă all their evil that they have done in Zī‑́o̱n in your sight, saith the LORD.
25 Behold, 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.
26 And 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.
27 Set 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 Ăr‑́ă‑răt, Mĭn‑́nī, and Ăsh‑chē‑́năz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.
28 Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Mēdeṡ, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.
29 And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, to make the land of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n a desolation with­out an inhabitant.
30 The mighty men of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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.
31 One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n that his city is taken at [one] end,
32 And that the pass­ages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.
33 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl; The daughter of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n [is] like a threshing­floor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.
34 Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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.
35 The violence done to me and to my flesh [be] upon Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, shall the inhabitant of Zī‑́o̱n say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of C͟hăl‑dē‑́ă, shall Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm say.
36 Therefore 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.
37 And Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n shall become heaps, a dwelling­place for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, with­out an inhabitant.
38 They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps.
39 In 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.
40 I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.
41 How is Shē‑́shăc͟h taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n become an astonishment among the nations!
42 The sea is come up upon Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.
43 Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth [any] son of man pass thereby.
44 And I will punish Bĕl in Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n shall fall.
45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.
46 And 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.
47 Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.
48 Then the heaven and the earth, and all that [is] therein, shall sing for Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.
49 As Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n [hath caused] the slain of Ĭṡ‑́rā‑ĕl to fall, so at Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n shall fall the slain of all the earth.
50 Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm come into your mind.
51 We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’S house.
52 Wherefore, 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.
53 Though Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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.
54 A sound of a cry [cometh] from Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and great destruction from the land of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns:
55 Because the LORD hath spoiled Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
56 Because the spoiler is come upon her, [even] upon Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
57 And 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.
58 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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.
59 ¶ The word which Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh the prophet commanded Sĕ‑ra᷍i‑́ăh the son of Nē‑rī‑́ăh, the son of Mā‑ă‑se᷍i‑́ăh, when he went with Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh the king of Jûd‑́ăh into Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n in the fourth year of his reign. And [this] Sĕ‑ra᷍i‑́ăh [was] a quiet prince.
60 So Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, [even] all these words that are written against Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
61 And Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh said to Sĕ‑ra᷍i‑́ăh, When thou comest to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;
62 Then 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.
63 And 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 E᷍u‑phrā‑́tēṡ:
64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n 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 Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh.
CHAPTER 52
Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm. And his mother’s name [was] Hă‑mū‑́tăl the daughter of Jĕr‑ē‑mī‑́ăh of Lĭb‑́năh.
2 And he did [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑kĭm had done.
3 For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm and Jûd‑́ăh, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh rebelled against the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
4 ¶ And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n came, he and all his army, against Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.
5 So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh.
6 And 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.
7 Then 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 C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns [were] by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.
8 ¶ But the army of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns pursued after the king, and over­took Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh in the plains of Jĕr‑́ĭ‑c͟hō; and all his army was scattered from him.
9 Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n to Rĭb‑́lăh in the land of Hā‑́măth; where he gave judgment upon him.
10 And the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n slew the sons of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Jûd‑́ăh in Rĭb‑́lăh.
11 Then he put out the eyes of Zĕd‑ē‑kī‑́ăh; and the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n bound him in chains, and carried him to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
12 ¶ Now in the fifth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, which [was] the nineteenth year of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, came Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn, captain of the guard, [which] served the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, into Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm,
13 And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm, and all the houses of the great [men], burned he with fire:
14 And all the army of the C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns, that [were] with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm round about.
15 Then Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn 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 Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, and the rest of the multitude.
16 But Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard left [certain] of the poor of the land for vine­dressers and for husband­men.
17 Also 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 C͟hăl‑dē‑́ăns brake, and carried all the brass of them to Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n.
18 The 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.
19 And 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.
20 The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brasen bulls that [were] under the bases, which king Sŏl‑́ŏ‑mo̱n had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was with­out weight.
21 And [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.
22 And 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.
23 And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; [and] all the pomegranates upon the net­work [were] an hundred round about.
24 ¶ And the captain of the guard took Sĕ‑ra᷍i‑́ăh the chief priest, and Zĕph‑ă‑nī‑́ăh the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
25 He 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.
26 So Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n to Rĭb‑́lăh.
27 And the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n smote them, and put them to death in Rĭb‑́lăh in the land of Hā‑́măth. Thus Jûd‑́ăh was carried away captive out of his own land.
28 This [is] the people whom Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Je̅w̅ṡ and three and twenty:
29 In the eighteenth year of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär he carried away captive from Jĕ‑rû‑́să‑lĕm eight hundred thirty and two persons:
30 In the three and twentieth year of Nĕb‑ū‑c͟hăd‑rĕz‑́zär Nĕb‑ū‑́zär–ăd‑́ăn the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Je̅w̅ṡ seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons [were] four thousand and six hundred.
31 ¶ And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑c͟hĭn king of Jûd‑́ăh, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth [day] of the month, [that] Ē‑́vĭl–mĕr‑́ō‑dăch king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n in the [first] year of his reign lifted up the head of Jĕ‑ho᷍i‑́ă‑c͟hĭn king of Jûd‑́ăh, and brought him forth out of prison,
32 And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that [were] with him in Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n,
33 And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life.
34 And [for] his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Băb‑́y̆‑lo̱n, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.