The Lord’s Negative Response
1Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel15:1 Ex 32:11–14; 1Sm 7:9; 12:23; Ps 99:6; 106:23; Ezk 14:14 should stand before me,15:1 Jr 15:19; 35:19 my compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from my presence, and let them go.15:1 Ex 6:1; 8:2; 9:2; 10:27; Jr 50:33
2If they ask you, ‘Where will we go? ’ tell them: This is what the Lord says:
those destined for the sword, to the sword.
Those destined for famine, to famine;
those destined for captivity, to captivity.
3“I will ordain four kinds15:3 Lit families of judgment for them” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away,15:3 Jr 22:19; 49:20–50:45 and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land15:3 Is 18:6; Jr 7:33; 19:7 to devour and destroy.
4I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh15:4 2Kg 21:1–18; 2Ch 33:1–20 son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.
Who will turn aside
to ask about your well-being?
This is the Lord’s declaration.
“You have turned your back,
so I have stretched out my hand against you
and destroyed you.
7I scattered them with a winnowing fork
at the city gates of the land.
I made them childless; I destroyed my people.
They would not turn from their ways.15:7 Jdg 2:19; 2Kg 17:13; 2Ch 7:14; Neh 9:35; Jr 18:11; 25:5; 35:15
8I made their widows more numerous
I brought a destroyer at noon
against the mother of young men.
I suddenly released on her
agitation and terrors.
she breathed her last breath.
Her sun set while it was still day;
she was ashamed and humiliated.
The rest of them I will give over to the sword
in the presence of their enemies.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
Jeremiah’s Complaint
10Woe is me, my mother,
that you gave birth to me,15:10 Jb 3:1–10
a man who incites dispute and conflict
in all the land.
I did not lend or borrow,
yet everyone curses me.15:10 Is 53:3
The Lord’s Response
11The Lord said:
Haven’t I set you loose for your good?
Haven’t I punished you
in a time of trouble,
in a time of distress with the enemy?15:11 Hb obscure
12Can anyone smash iron,
iron from the north, or bronze?
13I will give up your wealth
and your treasures as plunder,
in all your borders.
14Then I will make you serve your enemies15:14 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Tg; other Hb mss read you pass through
in a land you do not know,
for my anger will kindle a fire
Jeremiah’s Prayer for Vengeance
Avenge me against my persecutors.15:15 Jr 11:20
In your patience,15:15 Lit In the slowness of your anger don’t take me away.
Know that I suffer disgrace for your honor.15:15 Ps 69:7–9
Your words became a delight to me
and the joy of my heart,
for I bear your name,15:16 Jr 14:9
Lord God of Armies.
17I never sat with the band of revelers,
and I did not celebrate with them.
for you filled me with indignation.
18Why has my pain become unending,
refusing to be healed?
You truly have become like a mirage to me —
water that is not reliable.
Jeremiah Told to Repent
19Therefore, this is what the Lord says:
If you return, I will take you back;
you will stand in my presence.
And if you speak noble words,
rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.15:19 Ex 4:16
It is they who must return to you;
you must not return to them.
20Then I will make you a fortified wall of bronze
to this people.
They will fight against you
but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
This is the Lord’s declaration.
21I will rescue you from the power of evil people
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
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