The Potter and the Clay

18 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying,[fn] 2 “Stand up and go down to the house of the potter, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the house of the potter and look, there he was doing work at the potter’s wheels. 4 And the vessel that he was making with the clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter, so he made again[fn] another vessel, as it was right in the eyes of the potter to make.

5 And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,[fn] 6 “Like this potter, am I not able to do to you, O house of Israel?” declares[fn] Yahweh. “Look, like the clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 One moment I speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom, to uproot, and to tear down, and to destroy it.[fn] 8 But if that nation turns back from its evil that I have threatened against it, then I will relent concerning the disaster that I planned to do to it. 9 And the next moment I speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom, to build, and to plant it.[fn] 10 But if it does evil in my sight, to not listen to my voice, then I will relent concerning the good that I said I would do to it.

11 “So now then, say, please, to the people[fn] of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,[fn] ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Look, I am preparing evil against you, and I am planning a plan against you. Please turn back, each one from his evil way, and walk rightly in your ways and your deeds.” ’ 12 But they will say, ‘It is hopeless, for we will go after our own plans, and each one of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’

• 13 “Therefore thus says Yahweh,‘Please ask among the nations, “Who has heard[fn]
  • The virgin of Israel has done something very horrible.
  • 14 the crags[fn] of Sirion? Or are the cold waters flowing from distant mountains dried up?
  • 15  They make smoke offerings to the idols,[fn]
• and they caused them to stumble in their ways, the ancient ways,
  • to go into[fn] not one that is built up.
  • 16  an object of whistling for eternity.
• All who pass by it will be appalled,
  • and he will shake his head.
  • 17  I will scatter them[fn] the enemy.
• I will show them my back and not my face
  • in the day of their disaster.’ ”