4 Now Yahweh’s message came to me:

5 “Before I formed you in your mother, I already knew you,

≈ and before you came out of the womb, I had a plan for you.

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 But I said, “Oh no, Yahweh, my master. Listen, I don’t know how to speak, because I’m just a young lad.”

7 but Yahweh told me, “Don’t say that you’re only a child, because you must go to everyone I send you to and you must tell them everything that I command you to say. 8 Don’t be afraid of them, because I’ll be with you to rescue you.”

That’s Yahweh’s message.

9 Then Yahweh stretched out his hand and touched my mouth and said, “Listen, I’ve put my messages into your mouth. 10 I’m appointing you today over the nations and kingdoms—to uproot and to break down, to destroy and to pull down, to build and to plant.”

11 Another time, Yahweh’s message came to me, saying, “Yirmeyah (Jeremiah), what do you see?”

“I see a branch from an almond tree,” I replied.

12 Then Yahweh told me, “You’ve done well to see that, because I keep watch[fn] on my message to make sure it happens.”

13 Then Yahweh asked me a second time what I was seeing, and I replied, “I see a pot full of boiling water and it’s tipping towards the north.”

14 “Yes, disaster will come from the north and be released onto all the inhabitants of this region,” Yahweh continued. 15 “Listen, I’m about to summon all the clans of the northern kingdoms, and they’ll come and attack the walls around Yerushalem and all of Yehudah’s other cities, then each king will place his throne at the entrance to Yerushalem’s gates.” That is Yahweh’s declaration. 16 “That’s how I’ll judge my people for their wickedness as they’ve abandoned me and sacrificed to other gods and bowed down to idols that they made with their own hands. 17 So Yirmeyah, get yourself ready and go and tell them everything that I’ll tell you. Don’t be scared in front of them or else I’ll scare you right there in front of them! 18 And listen, today I’ve you as strong as a fortified city and an iron pillar and bronze walls, as far as the kings of Yehudah are concerned, along with their officials and priests, and the general population. 19 They’ll oppose you but they won’t be able to defeat you because I’ll be with you to rescue you,” says Yahweh.

2 Then Yahweh gave me a message 2 to proclaim to Yerushalem’s ears:

“Yahweh says: I remember your loyal commitment when you were all young

≈ and your love when you were committed to me.

You all followed after me in the wilderness where no crops were planted.

3 Yisrael was set apart for Yahweh—the firstfruits of his harvest.

All those who devoured it became guilty—calamity came to them.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

4 Listen to Yahweh’s message you descendants of Yakov (Jacob),

≈ and all you clans that are part of Yisrael (Israel).

5 Yahweh asks: what injustices did you ancestors find in me,

that caused them to become distant from me.

They chased after vanity and became vain.

6 They didn’t try to find out where Yahweh was—

the one brought led them out of Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim)

then led them through the wilderness with its pits and desert areas.

It was a region of deep darkness without water—

an area that no one passes through, let alone lives in.

7 Then I took you to the Carmel region

to eat its fruit and other good things.

However you came and defiled my land

≈ and made the inheritance that I gave you into something detestable.

8 The priests didn’t ask where Yahweh was,

and the handlers of the law didn’t know me.

The shepherds rebelled against me,

and the prophets prophesied by Ba’al

and they went after things that wouldn’t profit them.

9 Yahweh declares: I will bring a case against you all,

and I’ll contend against your children and your grandchildren.

10 If you all cross over west to the coasts of Cypress island and look,

or head east to Kedar, ask around and pay careful attention

to see if something like this has ever happened before.

11 Has a country ever swapped out its gods (not that they were actual gods)?

But my people have exchanged their greatness for something of no benefit.

12 You heavens, be appalled and shudder.

≈ Become utterly desolate.

That’s what Yahweh says

13 because my people have done two evil things:

1. They’ve abandoned the spring of living water

and 2. They’ve gone and dug wells for themselves—broken cisterns that can’t hold any water.

14 Is Yisrael a slave? Was it born into slavery?

Why has it been carried off as plunder?

15 Young lions roared at it—

≈ they’ve made their voice heard.

They’ve made the land into wasteland—

≈ its cities have become ruins without any inhabitants.

16 Also the people from Memphis (Heb. Nof) and Tahpanhes have shaved your heads.

17 Didn’t you bring this on yourself by abandoning your god, Yahweh

at the time when he was leading you along the right path.

18 So now, what’s the point of travelling to Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) to drink from Shihor’s waters?

≈ And why bother taking a trip to Assyria (Heb. Ashshur) to drink the river water?

19 Your own wickedness will punish you

≈ and your turning away will rebuke you.

So see and know that it’s evil and bitter to abandon your god Yahweh,

and you no longer have respect for me.

That’s Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s declaration.

20 I broke off your yoke from long ago.

≈ I tore your chains to pieces and you said that you wouldn’t disobey,

because you’d been lying down with prostitutes on every high hill and under every leafy tree.

21 I myself had planted you as a choice vine from a reliable seed,

but how you’ve changed yourself into some degenerate, wild vine,

22 because even if you wash yourself with bleach or use heaps of soap,

your guilt remains as a stain in front of me.

That is the declaration of my master, Yahweh.

23 How can you say, ‘I’m not defiled—I haven’t worshipped the Baals’?

Consider your conduct in the valley.

≈ Recognise what you’ve done:

behaving like a young, female camel that flits here and there.

24 You’re like a wild, female donkey, accustomed to the wilderness in its desire for the wind.

No one can hold her back when she’s in heat.

All those searching for her won’t give up trying to find her at mating time.

25 Keep your feet from becoming bare, and your throat from thirst,

but you’ve said that it’s hopeless,

as you love foreign gods and feel obliged to follow them.

26 It’s like the shame felt by a thief who gets caught.

So too, you Israelis will be shamed:

the people, their kings and officials, and their priests and prophets

27 who say to the tree, ‘You’re my father,’

and to the standing stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’

Yes, they show their backs to me, not their faces,

but when calamity comes, they’ll say, ‘Do something and rescue us!’

28 So where then are the gods that you made for yourself?

Let them take action if they can save you at the time of your calamity,

because you have as many gods and you have cities in Yehudah (Judah).

29 Why do you all complain to me, when all of you have rebelled against me?

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

30 It was a waste of time when I beat your sons—they wouldn’t accept discipline.

You’ve all killed your prophets like a destructive lion.

31 You in this generation, pay attention to Yahweh’s message.

Have I been a wilderness to Yisrael, or a land of thick darkness?

Why would my people say that they’ve now gone their own ways

and so won’t come back to me again?

32 Would a young woman forget to wear her jewelry,

≈ or a bride forget to wear her wedding sashes?

However my people have forgotten me for such a long time.

33 You’ve become very good at finding love—

you could even teach prostitutes a thing or two!

34 The blood of innocent, poor people was even found on your clothes—

it wasn’t because you caught them breaking in, but you did it anyway

35 then you said, ‘But I’m innocent—surely he’s not angry at me.’

Listen, I’m about to judge you because you said that you didn’t sin.

36 Why are you constantly changing your alliances?

You’ll be disappointed by Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) just like you were disappointed by Assyria (Heb. Ashshur).

37 What’s more, you’ll be removed from this place will your hands on your head,

because Yahweh has rejected the ones that you put your confidence in

→ and they won’t be of any help to you.

19 Then I thought to myself about how I’d accept you to be my children,

and give you a desirable land—an inheritance that all nations consider very beautiful.

I decided that you’ll all call me ‘my father’,

and then you all won’t turn away from me.

20 However, like a woman who deals treacherously with her companion,

so too you’ve all dealt treacherously with me, you Israeli people.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

21 A sound of weeping is heard on the barren hilltops—

≈ the Israeli people begging for mercy

because they’ve followed paths of disobedience

≈ and they’ve forgotten their god, Yahweh.

22 Come back, you unfaithful children—I will cure your faithlessness.

Say, look, we’re coming back to you because you’re our god, Yahweh.

23 Deception definitely comes from the hills—a commotion of mountains.

Our god Yahweh is certainly Yisrael’s salvation.

24 From our youth, that shameful idol worship has consumed our ancestors’ hard work—

their sheep and cattle, and their sons and daughters.

25 Let us lie down in our shame, and let our humiliation cover us,

because we’ve disobeyed our god, Yahweh.

Our ancestors and then we ourselves, haven’t listened to the voice of our god, Yahweh.

4 Yahweh says:

If you’ll return, Yisrael (Israel),

yes, if you’ll return to me

and remove those detestable idols away from me without wavering,

2 and if you promise as Yahweh lives, in truth, justice, and righteousness,

then the nations will bless themselves in him,

and it’s him that they’ll boast about.

3 Yes, tells the people from Yerushalem and across all Yehudah (Judah):

Plough your unploughed ground, but don’t sow thornbushes.[ref]

4 Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh by removing the foreskins from your hearts

you people of Yerushalem and Yehudah,

so that my rage doesn’t burst out and burn like fire,

because there wouldn’t be anyone to extinguish it due to the wickedness of your behaviour.

5 Announce in Yerushalem and declare in Yehudah to blow the horn in the land.

Call out loudly to gather together and enter the fortified cities.

6 Lift up a banner towards Tsiyyon (Zion) and get to safety.

Don’t stand still because I’m about to bring calamity from the north with horrific destruction.

7 A lion has come up from its thicket,

≈ and a destroyer of nations has set out.

He’s come out from his place to make your country into a wasteland.

Your cities will be reduced to ruins with no inhabitants.

8 So put on sackcloth—mourn and wail

because Yahweh’s burning anger hasn’t turned away from us.

9 Yahweh says that at that time,

the king and his officials will lose heart

and the priests and prophets will be astonished.

10 Then I replied, “Oh now! My master Yahweh,

you’ve certainly completely deceived Yerushalem and also this people,

saying, ‘It will be well for you all.’ Yet the sword will come for our throats.”

11 When that happens, Yerushalem and this people will be told:

A scorching wind will come from the bare hills in the wilderness.

It won’t be coming just to winnow the grain and blow away the chaff—

12 it’ll be a strong blast from me.

Then I’ll speak judgements against them.

13 Listen, he goes up like the clouds,

and his chariots are like the storm wind.

≈ His horses are faster than eagles.

→ We won’t end well because we’ll be devastated.

14 Yerushalem, wash the evil from your heart so that you can be saved.

How much longer will you hold onto your wicked thoughts for,

15 because a voice from Dan declares trouble

and disaster is proclaimed from Efrayim’s hill?

16 Remind the nations—

≈ listen, announce to Yerushalem:

They’re coming from a distant land to lay siege against you,

and they raise their voice against Yehudah’s cities.

17 They’ll surround Yerushalem like the watchmen around a field because it rebelled against me.

That’s Yahweh’s declaration.

18 Your conduct and your actions have brought that to you, Yerushalem.

That’s your punishment—it’s bitter and it’ll pierce to your heart.

19 My inward parts, my insides!

≈ I writhe with chest pains.

≈ My heart is pounding—I won’t stay silent,

→ because my soul, you hear the sound of the trumpet—an alarm for battle.

20 Destruction followed by more destruction has been proclaimed,

≈ because all the land has been devastated.

Suddenly my tents are devastated—

≈ my tent fabrics gone in a moment.

21 How long do I have to watch the enemy’s banner for?

How long will that trumpet sound go on for?

22 Yes, my people are foolish—they don’t know me.

≈ They’re like stupid children who don’t understand anything.

They’ve very clever at doing what’s evil

≈ and they don’t know how to do what’s good.

23 I saw the land, and wow, it was formless and empty,

≈ and the skies didn’t have any light.

24 I saw the mountains, and wow, they were quaking,

≈ and all the hills shook back-and-forth.

25 I looked, and wow, there were no more people,

≈ and all the birds had flown away.

26 I saw, and wow, the orchard had turned into a wilderness,

≈ and all the cities had been pulled down out of Yahweh’s sight

due to his burning anger,

27 because Yahweh says this:

The entire country will become desolate,

^ but I won’t completely destroy it.

28 The land will mourn after that,

≈ and the skies will darken from above,

because I’ve revealed my resolution,

^ and I won’t change my mind or turn back from it.

29 The city people will flee from the sound of approaching horsemen and archers.

≈ They’ll head into the thickets and up onto the cliffs.

→ Every city will be abandoned without anyone living in them.

30 So you,[fn] what will you do for the devastated one?

You dress in scarlet, adorning yourself with gold jewelry.

≈ You make your eyes look bigger with makeup, but it won’t help—

your lovers reject you and they’re coming for your life.

31 Yes, I hear a sound like a woman in labour—

≈ distress like a woman giving birth to her first child—

the sound of Tsiyyon’s daughter as she gasps for breath.

She spreads out her hands saying,

‘I fear for my life because of those murderers.’

5 Roam around Yerushalem’s streets and look and observe,

≈ and search around its plazas.

If you can find one person there who values justice and strives to be faithful,

then I’ll forgive the city.

2 Even when they make an oath in Yahweh’s name,

it’ll still be a lie.

3 Yahweh, don’t you look for honesty?

You struck them but they don’t even react.

You brought them to an end, but they refuse to accept correction.

They make their faces harder than rock and refuse to change.

4 Then I thought that maybe they’re just poor people?

They act foolishly because they’re not educated about Yahweh’s way

or what their god requires of them?

5 So I’ll go to the leaders and speak to them,

because they know Yahweh’s way and what their god requires.

However, all of them have broken out from under his yoke,

and torn off the chains.

6 Because of that, a lion from a thicket will attack them.

≈ A wolf from the wilderness will devastate them.

≈ A leopard lies in wait outside their cities—

→ everyone who goes out from them will be torn to pieces

because their disobedience is extensive

≈ and their disloyalty is substantial.

7 How could I forgive you for that?

Your children have abandoned me and have made oaths by things that are not gods.

I satisfied them, but they committed adultery

and ritually cut themselves[fn] at the prostitute’s house.

8 They were well-fed, lusty horses,

each man neighing at his neighbour’s wife.

9 Yahweh asks:

Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?

≈ Shouldn’t I avenge myself on a nation like that?

10 Go along the rows in the vineyard and destroy them,

but don’t completely destroy them—

break off their shoots because they don’t belong to Yahweh.

11 No, Yisrael’s and Yehudah’s people had indeed dealt treacherously with me.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

12 They’ve denied Yahweh and said:

He doesn’t exist and nothing bad will happen us,

and we’ll never experience war or famine.

13 The prophets are full of air and don’t have any message.

So let what they say, happen to them.

14 So Commander-in-chief Yahweh says this:

Because you’ve spoken those words,

I’ll put my messages in your mouth as a fire

and this people group will be the wood that it consumes.

15 Listen you Israelis to Yahweh’s declaration:

I’m about to bring to you all a nation from far away—

it’s an enduring nation that’s been around for a long time.

You won’t know their language or understand what they say.

16 Its quiver is like an open tomb.

All of them are warriors.

17 It will consume your grain and your food.

They’ll devour your sons and daughters, and your flocks and your cattle.

They’ll strip your grapevines and your fig trees.

With their swords, they’ll shatter your fortified cities that you were trusting in.

18 But Yahweh says:

Even in those days, I won’t completely destroy you all.

19 When the people ask why Yahweh’s doing that, you’ll tell them:

You rejected me and served foreign gods in your own country,

so you’ll all serve strangers in a land that doesn’t belong to you.

20 Declare this to Yakov’s (Jacob’s) descendants,

and proclaim it in Yehudah (Judah):

21 Please listen to this, you foolish, heartless people.

They have eyes but do not see,

and they have ears, but do not hear.[ref]

22 Yahweh declares:

Should you all respect and strive to obey me,

and shouldn’t you tremble in front of me?

It was me who designated the sand as the boundary for the ocean—

it’s a permanent line and the sea doesn’t go past it.

The waters surge but get no further,

and the waves roar, but can’t get past it.[ref]

23 But this group of people has a stubborn and rebellious heart.

They’ve turned aside and gone away.

24 They don’t say to themselves:

Please, let’s strive to obey our god Yahweh—

the one who gives the autumn and spring rains at the appropriate time.

He decides on the harvest weeks for us.

25 Your disobedience has diverted those things,

≈ and your sins have withheld goodness from you all

26 because there are wicked influencers among my people.

They lie in wait like a bird-catcher.

≈ They set a trap and catch people.

27 Their homes are full of deceit like a cage full of birds.

→ so that’s how they’ve become rich and powerful.

28 They’ve become fat and slick.

They also disobey by doing evil.

They don’t plead the cause of those who are fatherless,

≈ and they’re successful, yet they haven’t insisted on justice for the poor.

29 Yahweh says:

Why shouldn’t I punish them for all that behaviour?

≈ Why shouldn’t I avenge myself on a nation like this one?

30 Something horrible and shocking has happened in the country:

31 The prophets prophesy with lies,

and the priests rule by their own authority,

and my people love it this way,

but what will you all do when it comes to its end?

6 Get out of Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and get yourselves to safety, you people of Benyamin,

and blow a trumpet in Tekoa.

≈ Send up a signal from Beyt-Hakkerem

because disaster and terrible destruction looms from the north.

2 Although it’s beautiful and delicate,

I will destroy Tsiyyon’s (Zion’s) daughter.

3 Shepherds and their flocks will go and pitch their tents all around it.[fn]

Each one will graze their own area.

4 Prepare for battle.

Take action and let’s attack at midday.

It won’t be good for us if the day is ending

because the evening shadows get longer.

5 Take action and attack at night

and destroy its palaces.

6 Commander-in-chief Yahweh says:

Cut down trees for timber

and mound up a ramp against Yerushalem (Jerusalem).

→ That city must be punished as it’s full of oppression.

7 Just as a well keeps its water fresh,

≈ so too she keeps her evil fresh.

Violence and oppression can be heard there.

≈ I always see sickness and plague.

8 Take note of my warning Yerushalem

in case I turn away from you—

in case I make you desolate—

a land that’s not inhabited.

9 Commander-in-chief Yahweh says this:

Those who remain in Yisrael (Israel)

will be picked over like gleaning the last few grapes off a vine.

Return your hand over the branches like a grape-picker.

10 Who should I speak to and warn so they can list?

Wow, their ears are so closed that they can’t pay attention.

Wow, Yahweh’s message has become offensive to them—

they don’t enjoy hearing it.

11 Now I’m filled with Yahweh’s rage.

I’m tired of holding it in.

Pour it out on the children in the street

and on the young men who gather together,

because a husband will be captured with his wife—

the very elderly as well.

12 Then their houses will be turned over to others,

along with their fields and wives

because I’ll stretch out my hand

against the land’s inhabitants.

That’s Yahweh’s declaration

13 because from the smallest to the greatest,

they’re all greedy for dishonest gain.

From a prophet to the priest, everyone deals in lies.

14 They’ve lightly bandaged my peoples’s wound

by saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there wasn’t any peace.[ref]

15 Were they ashamed when they did something disgusting?[ref]

No, they weren’t ashamed—

they didn’t even know how to be humiliated

so therefore they’ll fall among the fallen.

At the time when I punish them, they’ll stumble.

That’s what Yahweh says.

16 Yahweh says this:

Stand at the crossroads and look,

and ask about the ancient paths.

‘Where is the path of the good?’ Then walk along it

and find rest for your spirit.

But they say, ‘We won’t walk on it.’

17 I set watchmen over you.

Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet,

But they said, ‘We won’t pay attention.’

18 Therefore listen you nations,

≈ and you congregation, know what will happen to them.

19 Listen, you earth.

Yes, I will bring disaster to this people—

the fruit of their own plans

because they paid no attention to my messages

≈ and they rejected my instructions.

20 What difference does it make to me if they burn frankincense that came from Sheva?

≈ Or if they have good cane from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings aren’t acceptable,

≈ and your sacrifices don’t please me.

21 So Yahweh says this:

Listen, I’ll give this group of people a stumbling block,

and they’ll trip over it—

fathers and sons together,

≈ both a neighbour and his friend.

22 Yahweh says this:

Listen, an army is about to come from a northern country,

≈ and a powerful nation will be roused from the remotest parts of the world.

23 They carry bows and spears.

It’s cruel and they have no mercy.

They make a noise like the sea roaring

and they ride in battle formation on horses

against you, Tsiyyon’s (Zion’s) daughter.

24 We felt weak when we heard the reports about them.

Distress took hold of us and we’re in agony like a woman about to give birth.

25 Don’t go out to the countryside,

≈ and don’t walk on the road

because of the enemy’s sword.

≈ There’s terror all around.

26 My people’s daughter, dress yourself in sackcloth

≈ and roll in ashes.

Go into mourning as if you’d lost an only child—

≈ a time of bitter wailing

because the destroyer will suddenly come against us.

27 I’ve appointed you to examine my people like ore,

so you can observe their conduct, and test them.

28 They’re all stubborn rebels who go around slandering others.

They’re all like bronze and iron, behaving corruptly.

29 The bellows fan the fire

but after the thorough refining, the lead remains.

The evil people haven’t been separated out.

30 They’ll be called ‘rejected silver’

because Yahweh has rejected them.

29 Shave your head in mourning and throw the hair away.

Sing a mourning song on the barren heights

because Yahweh has rejected and abandoned the generation who made him angry.

30 Yes, Yahweh says that Yehudah’s people have done what I consider evil—putting disgusting things in the temple that’s associated with my name, and so have defiled it. 31 They’ve built hilltop shrines to Tofet in Hinnom Valley outside Yerushalem (Jerusalem) to burn their sons and daughters in fire—something I’ve never commanded or even considered.[ref] 32 So listen, Yahweh says, that days are coming because of that that, when it’ll no longer be called ‘Tofet’ or ‘Hinnom Valley’, but rather, ‘The Valley of Slaughter’, because so many people will be buried in Tofet that they’ll run out of space. 33 Then the people’s corpses will become food for the vultures and the wild animals, and there’ll be no one left to frighten them away. 34 Then in Yehudah’s cities and Yerushalem’s streets, I’ll halt the sounds of joy and gladness, even wedding celebrations, because the region will become a wasteland.[ref]

8 Yahweh declares that they will bring the bones of Yehudah’s (Judah’s) kings out from their graves at that time, as well as the bones of their leaders, priests, and prophets, along with the bones of Yerushalem’s (Jerusalem’s) inhabitants. 2 Then they’ll spread them out under the sun, moon, and stars—the heavenly bodies that they loved and served, and that they followed after and searched for, and that they bowed down to. Those bones won’t be collected up, and they won’t be buried again. They’ll be like dung across the surface of the land. 3 The remnant of that evil group of people in all those places where I banished them, will choose death rather than life. That is Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s declaration.

4 Then Yahweh says to tell them:

Don’t people get back up when they fall down?

≈ Don’t they come back after they’ve turned the wrong way?

5 So Why do these people from Yerushalem (Jerusalem) turn and away, then continue to be unfaithful?

They keep hold of deceitfulness and refuse to come back.

6 I’ve listened carefully but they don’t say the right things.

None of them wants to give up their wickedness.

^ All of them carry on their own ways, like a horse rushing forward in battle.

7 Even the stork as it flies, knows the seasons.

≈ The dove, swallow, and thrush stick to their migration times,

^ yet my people do know what Yahweh expects of them.

8 How can you all say that you’re wise and that you have Yahwehs instructions?

Honestly, the quills of deceitful scribes have made it into a lie.

9 The wise will be put to shame—

they will be dismayed and trapped.

Yes, they’ve rejected Yahweh’s message.

What wisdom do they really have?

10 Because of that, I’ll give their wives to others,

and their fields to those who dispossess them,

because they’re all prospering by taking advantage of others—

prophets and priests are all behaving deceptively.

11 They lightly treated the fracture of my people’s daughter,

saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there’s no peace.[ref]

12 Were they ashamed when they did something disgusting?

Even when confronted, they weren’t ashamed—

they didn’t know how to be humiliated[ref]

so they’ll fall like the others.

They’ll stumble at the time of their punishment says Yahweh.

13 I’ll bring their harvests to an end, says Yahweh.

≈ There won’t be any grapes on their vines, or figs on their trees.

Even the leaves will wither,

≈ and what I gave them, will rot away.

14 Why are we just sitting here?

→ Let’s go into the fortified cities together so we can die there,

because our god Yahweh is going to cause us to perish,

≈ and he’ll make us drink poisoned water because we’ve sinned against him.

15 We had hoped for peace, but nothing good came.

We hoped for a time of healing, but wow, got terror.

16 The snorting of his stallions could be heard from Dan.

≈ The whole earth shakes from the sound of the neighing of his powerful horses.

They are coming to destroy the land and everything in it,

≈ and the city and everyone living in it.

17 Yes, listen, I’ll send snakes[fn] among you all—

≈ vipers that can’t be charmed,

→ and they’ll bite you all, says Yahweh.

17 Commander-in-chief Yahweh says this:

Consider that and summon funeral wailers to come—

≈ get the most skillful women to come.

18 Let them hurry and start wailing about us,

→ so our eyes have tears running down them,

≈ and our eyelids flow with water,

19 because the sound of mourning can be heard from Tsiyyon (Zion):

‘We’ve been so devastated.

We’re terribly ashamed, because we’ve left the land

because they tore down our houses.’

20 So now hear Yahweh’s message, you women.

≈ Let your ear receive the message from his mouth,

and teach your daughters a mourning song,

≈ and each woman teach her neighbour a funeral song,

21 because death has come up into our windows.

≈ It enters into our fortresses,

cutting off children from the street

≈ and young men from the open plazas.

22 Yahweh says to pass this on:

Human corpses will fall like dung across the ground’s surface

and like fallen grain after the harvesters have finished,

and there’s no one to collect them.

23 Yahweh says this:

Don’t let the wise person boast about their wisdom,

≈ and don’t let the warrior boast about his strength.

≈ Don’t let the rich person boast about their riches,

24 because if they want to boast, let them boast about this:

Understanding and knowing me because I’m Yahweh,

demonstrating loyal commitment, justice, and righteousness on the earth

because I take pleasure in those things.[ref]

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

25 Listen, Yahweh declares that there’s a time coming

when I will punish all those who’ve been physically circumcised:

26 the Egyptians, Judeans, Edomites, Ammonites, and Moabites,

and all those who trim the corners of their beards, those living in the wilderness,

because all the uncircumcised nations and all the Israelis have uncircumcised hearts.

10 Listen to the message that Yahweh is telling you all, you Israelis. 2 This is what Yahweh says:

Don’t imitate the ways of other nations,

and don’t be dismayed by signs in the skies,

just because those other nations are,

3 because the customs of those groups of people are worthless.

Yes, they cut down a tree from a forest,

and a craftsman does his handywork with his tools,

4 then they overlay it with gold and silver.

They use hammer and nails to securely fasten it

so that it won’t topple over.

5 Those idols are like a scarecrow in a cucumber field,

not being able to speak.

What’s more, they have to be carried because they can’t walk.

Don’t be afraid of them because they can’t harm anyone,

but at the same time, there’s no good in them either.

6 There’s no one like you, Yahweh.

You’re powerful and have a reputation for your strength.

7 Who wouldn’t respect and obey you, king of the nations

because that’s what you deserve?[ref]

Yes, among all the wise people of the word,

and among all their kingdoms,

there’s no one like you.

8 Those ‘wise’ people are both stupid and foolish all at once—

instructed by an idol that’s just a piece of wood.

9 They brought hammered silver from Tarshish and gold from Ufaz—

≈ the work of a craftsman and from the hands of the refiners.

Then they put violet and purple clothing on them—

all the work of skillful people.

10 However, Yahweh is the true god.

≈ He is the living god and permanent king.

When he’s angry, the earth shakes,

and the nations can’t endure his indignation.

11 You need to tell them this:

The gods that didn’t make the heavens and earth

will perish from the earth and from under these skies.

12 Yahweh made the earth using his power.

≈ He established the world by his wisdom,

≈ and with his understanding, he stretched out the skies.

13 When he projects his voice, there’s a rush of waters in the skies,

≈ and he brings clouds up from the ends of the earth.

He made lightning for the rain,

≈ and sends out wind from his storehouse.

14 Every person has become stupid from knowledge.

Every metalworker is put to shame by idols

because his molten image is a deception and there’s no life in them.

15 They’re worthless—a work of mockery.

They’ll perish at the time for their punishment.

16 Yakov’s (Jacob’s) inheritance isn’t like that

because he’s the one who made everything,

and the Israelis are his inheritance.

His name is Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

18 Then Yahweh revealed something to me which I understood once he showed me their preparations. 19 I was like a tame lamb being led to be slaughtered, and I didn’t know that they had made plans against me, saying, ‘Let’s destroy the tree with its fruit, and cut him off from the land of the living. Then his name won’t be remembered any longer.’

20 Then I prayed, “Commander-in-chief Yahweh who always judges fairly, examining our inner thoughts and motives, let me see your vengeance on them, because I’ve presented my case to you.”

21 So Yahweh said it was some men of Anatot[fn] who were wanting to kill me, saying that I mustn’t prophesy in Yahweh’s name or else they’d make sure that I die. 22 Therefore Commander-in-chief Yahweh says, “Listen, I’m about to punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, and their children will die from famine. 23 There won’t be any of them left, because I will bring calamity to the people from Anatot at the time of their punishment.”

12 Yahweh, you do what’s right when I bring you a case.

→ Nevertheless, I want to talk with you about justice:

Why do wicked people prosper?

≈ Why are treacherous people able to relax?

2 You planted them like trees and they’ve taken root,

then they’ve grown and produced fruit.

They’re full of talk about you,

but they’re really far from you.

3 but Yahweh, you know me.

≈ You see me, and test my heart toward you.

Drag them away like sheep doing to slaughter,

≈ and reserve a time for them to be slaughtered.

4 How much longer will the land be dry for

with the plants in the countryside withering up?

Even the wild animals and birds have diminished in number,

because people have said that he won’t see what will happen to us.

5 If you’ve run with foot soldiers and they’ve worn you out,

how will you compete with horses?

If you’re falling to the ground in a safe region,

how will you do in the thickets by the Yarden (Jordan) river?

6 Even your brothers and other family members are working against you.

≈ They speak out against you.

Don’t trust them when they say good things about you.

7 I’ve abandoned my country.

I’ve walked away from my inheritance.

I’ve given my dearly loved one into the hand of its enemies.

8 My inheritance become like a lion in a forest for me.

That country always speaks against me so I hate it.

9 My inheritance is like a speckled bird of prey to me,

with other birds of prey all around it.

Go and get all the wild animals from the countryside to come and eat.

10 Many shepherds (foreign rulers) have ruined my vineyard—

they’ve trampled my area.

They’ve made my desirable region into a desolate wasteland.

11 They’ve made it into a wasteland—it’s mourning to me.

All the land has been made desolate because there’s no one who cares about it.

12 Destroyers have come to all the bare hilltops in the wilderness,

because a sword is devouring for Yahweh, from each end of the land.

There’s no peace for any living thing.

13 People have sown wheat and harvested thorns.

They’ve wearied themselves but not profited,

and they were ashamed by your low production

resulting from Yahweh’s fierce anger.

14 Yahweh says this: All my evil neighbours who touch the inheritance that I gave to my Israeli people, listen, I’ll uproot them from the land, and I’ll uproot Yehudah’s descendants from among them. 15 Then after I’ve uprooted them, I’ll have compassion on them again, and I’ll bring them back—each one back to their own inheritance and their own land. 16 If they’ll properly learn the ways of my people, to make promises using my name saying, ‘As Yahweh lives,’ instead of how my people were taught to make promises by Baal, then they’ll prosper and be my people again. 17 However if they won’t listen when I uproot the nation, then I’ll uproot it to destroy it. That is Yahweh’s declaration.

13 Yahweh told me this: Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth and put it on, but don’t let it get near water. 2 So I bought a loincloth as Yahweh had told me to, and I put it on. 3 Then Yahweh gave me a second instruction, saying: 4 Take the loincloth that you bought and you’re wearing, and pack up and go to Perat[fn] and bury it in a crack in the rock. 5 So I went and hid it at Perat just as Yahweh had told me to.

6 Then after many days, Yahweh told me to get ready and go to Perat to retrieve the loincloth that he’d told me to bury there. 7 So I went to Perat and dug the loincloth out from the crack that I’d hidden it in, but wow, it was ruined and totally worthless.

8 Then Yahweh gave me this message: 9 Yahweh says that I’ll rot away the pride of Yehudah (Judah), including the pride of the great Yerushalem (Jerusalem). 10 That wicked nation that refused to listen to my messages, who are following their own stubborn desires and have followed other god by serving them and bowing down to them, let that nation become like that loincloth that’s no good for anything. 11 Yahweh declares that just like a loincloth is hitched to someone’s hips, so too I’ve made all those from Yisrael and Yehudah cling to me, to be my people who would bring me fame, praise, and honour, but they didn’t listen.

12 So you must pass this message along to them: Yisrael’s god Yahweh says that every jar will be filled with wine, and they’ll tell you, ‘Of course we know that every jar will be filled with wine.’ 13 So tell them that Yahweh says this: Listen, I’m about to fill all the inhabitants of this land with drunkenness—the kings that sit of David’s throne, the priests and prophets, and all of Yerushalem’s inhabitants. 14 Then Yahweh declares: I’ll cause a drunken brawl among brothers, parents, and children. I won’t pity you or have compassion, and I won’t spare them from destruction.

10 Poor me, mother, that you gave birth to me—

a man of strife and contention throughout the entire region.

I haven’t lent money or borrowed it

yet they all curse me.

11 Yahweh said,

Won’t I rescue you for good?

Won’t I make your enemies plead with you

in a time of evil and distress?

12 Can anyone break iron—

iron from the north, or bronze?

13 I’ll give your wealth and treasures to your enemies as plunder without them having to pay

as the price for all your sins committed across all your territories.

14 Then I’ll make you serve your enemies in a land that you hadn’t been to before

because the fire of my anger towards you all has been kindled and will burn.

15 Yahweh, you know my situation.

Take note of my situation and bring your vengeance to those harassing me.

Don’t be patient with them and let them take me away.

Know that I suffer reproach for your sake.

16 Your messages were found and I consumed them.

Your message to me made me happy and gave me cause for celebration

because I bear your name, Commander-in-chief Yahweh, god of armies.

17 I didn’t sit among the gathering of the merry makers,

but rather, I enjoyed feeling your presence.

I sat alone because you’d filled me with indignation.

18 Why is my pain ongoing and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?

Will you be like a spring that lets me down when its supply is unreliable?

19 So Yahweh said this:

If you return to me, then I’ll restore you and you’ll stand in front of me

because if you separate out the foolish things from the precious things,

you will be like my mouth. The people will come back to you,

but you yourself mustn’t go back to them.

20 I’ll make you like an impenetrable bronze wall to this people,

and they’ll fight against you.

However, they won’t defeat you,

because I’ll be with you to save you, and to rescue you.

That is Yahweh’s declaration. 21 Then I’ll rescue you from the plots of wicked people

≈ and I’ll buy your freedom from the ruthless people.

16 Then Yahweh gave me a message, telling me: 2 Don’t get married and don’t have children in this place 3 because Yahweh says this to the children born in this place and to the parents who brought them into this world:

4 They’ll die from disease and not be mourned or buried—

they’ll be like dung on the ground.

They’ll come to their ends through war and famine,

and their corpses will become food for the birds and the wild animals.

5 Yes, Yahweh says this:

Don’t enter a home where there’s a funeral.

Don’t go to mourn or to show sympathy to them,

because I’ve withdrawn my peace from this people,

as well as my compassion and loyal commitment.

That is Yahweh’s declaration. 6 Both the important people and the ordinary people will die in this land.

They won’t be buried and no one will mourn for them,

or cut themselves or shave off their hair to show grief for them.

7 No one must share any food to comfort those in mourning because of the deaths,

≈ and no one must give a comforting cup to his father or mother.

8 Don’t go to a dining establishment to sit with them to eat and drink

9 because Yisrael’s god, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says this:

Listen, right in front of your eyes, in your lifetime and in this place,

I’m about to make the sounds of happiness and gladness cease—

including the sounds of brides and grooms.[ref]

10 Then when you pass on all these messages to the people, they’ll ask you:

Why has Yahweh decreed all this terrible calamity against us,

≈ and what wickedness or sin have we committed against our god Yahweh?

11 So give them this declaration from Yahweh:

It’s because your ancestors followed after foreign gods and served them and bowed down to them.

They abandoned me and didn’t follow my instructions.

12 Then you yourselves have done even more wickedness than your ancestors,

and everyone of you is walking by the stubbornness of their wicked heart—

not listening to me.

13 So I will throw you all out of this land,

to a land that neither you or your ancestors have been to.

14 Now listen, Yahweh declares:

Because of that the days are coming when they’ll no longer say,

‘As Yahweh, the one who brought the Israelis out of Egypt, lives.’

15 Instead they’ll say:

‘As Yahweh lives, the one who brought the Israelis back from the land of the north

and from the lands where he had driven them,’

because I’ll bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors.

16 Listen, Yahweh declares:

I’ll send for many fishermen to fish the people out.

After that, I’ll send for many hunters

to hunt them from under every mountain and hill, and from the crevices in the rocks

17 because I’m watching everything they do

and their wicked behaviour can’t be hidden from me.

18 Firstly, I’ll pay back double for their disobedience and wickness,

because of their polluting my land with their detestable carvings,

and because they filled my inheritance with their disgusting idols.”

19 Yahweh, you’re my stronghold and my refuge—

≈ my place of safety in any distressing time.

The nations will go to you from the ends of the earth and say,

“Surely our ancestors inherited lies—

Those idols are a waste of time and there’s no profit in them.

20 Can people make their own gods?

Well, they’re not gods at all!

21 So listen, I’m about to demonstrate that at this time—

I’ll reveal my power and activity to them

and then they’ll know that my name is Yahweh.

17 Yehudah’s sin is written with an iron stylus that has a diamond point.

It’s engraved on the tablet which is their hearts, and on the projecting corners of your altars.

2 Even their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles

that were beside the luxuriant trees and on the high hills—

3 even on my mountain in the countryside.

I’ll give your wealth and all your treasures to be plundered by others

because of your sin on your hilltop shrines throughout all your territories.

4 You’ll have to let go the inheritance that I gave you.

I’ll make your serve your enemies in a land that you’ve never been to,

because you’ve ignited a fire in my anger which will burn forever.

5 Yahweh says this:

Anyone who trusts in humankind will be cursed—

trusting in their own physical strength turns their hearts away from Yahweh.

6 They’re like shrubs in the desert, unable to see any good coming,

and they’ll live in dry parts of the wilderness

that’s salty and with no one else living there.

7 The person who trusts in Yahweh will be blessed,

as they put their confidence in him.

8 That person will be like a tree planted by a stream[ref]

that sends its roots out to the water.

It has nothing to fear when the heat comes and its leaves stay green.

It has nothing to be afraid of in a drought year

and it won’t stop producing fruit.

9 Human motives are the most deceitful of all.

They can’t be cured—who can determine them?

10 I am Yahweh who searches the mind.

I test the motives.

I give to everyone according to the results of their actions.[ref]

11 A partridge hatches an egg that it didn’t lay.

Someone might get rich by unjust means

but right in the middle of their life it’ll leave them

and in the end, that person will be a fool.

12 The place of our sanctuary from the beginning has been like a splendid throne on a high place.

13 You, Yahweh are the one that Yisrael puts their hope in.

All who abandon you will be put to shame.

≈ Those who turn away from you will be written on the ground,

because they’ve forsaken Yahweh—the fountain of living waters.

14 Heal me, Yahweh, and I’ll be healed.

Rescue me, and I’ll be rescued,

because you are the one I praise.

15 Listen, they’re asking me,

Where is Yahweh’s message? Let it come.

16 As for me, I didn’t run from being a shepherd following you.

I didn’t long for the day of disaster.

You know everything I said—it was said in your presence.

17 Don’t become a terror to me.

You’re my place of safety when disaster comes.

18 Let my pursuers be ashamed, but don’t let me be ashamed.

Ley them be dismayed, but don’t let me be dismayed.

Send the day of disaster against them

and shatter them with a double share of destruction.

19 Yahweh told me this:

Go and stand in at gate of the people where Yehudah’s kings come and go,

then in all the other gates of Yerushalem.

20 Tell the people:

Listen to Yahweh’s message, you kings of Yehudah and all you people of Yehudah,

and all of Yerushalem’s residents who go in through those gates.

21 Yahweh says this:

Be careful for the sake of your lives

and on the rest day, don’t carry a load to bring it to Yerushalem’s gates.[ref]

22 Don’t bring a load out from your homes on the rest day.

Don’t do any work, but set apart the rest day,

just as I instructed your ancestors to do.

23 They did not listen or pay attention,

but stubbornly refused to listen to me, nor did they accept discipline.

24 Yahweh declares that if you carefully listen to me

and don’t bring a load to this city’s gates on the rest day

but instead set apart the rest day for Yahweh, and don’t do any work on it,

25 then kings, princes, and those who sit on David’s throne

will come to this city’s gates in chariots and on horses.

They’ll come along with their leaders from Yehudah including Yerushalem’s residents,

and this city will be inhabited forever.

26 They’ll come from Yehudah’s cities including from all around Yerushalem,

from the Benyamin region and the foothills,

from the mountains, and from the Negev desert,

bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense,

as well as those who bring thank offerings to Yahweh’s residence.

27 But if you don’t listen to me

and don’t set apart the rest day

and don’t carry heavy loads to enter Yerushalem’s gates on the rest day,

then I’ll light a fire at its gates that will incinerate Yerushalem’s fortresses,

and that won’t be able to be put out.

18 Yahweh’s message came to Yirmeyah (Jeremiah) to say, 2 “Get ready and go down to the potter’s house, and I’ll give you my messages there.”

3 So I went down to pottery factory, and wow, he was on his potter’s wheel. 4 However, the container that he was making with his hand on the clay was ruined, so he started again and make it into another container that he was pleased with.

5 Then Yahweh gave me this message: 6 Like that potter, shouldn’t I be able to do what I want with you Israelis? Yahweh declares that you Israelis are in my hand like that clay in the potter’s hand. 7 One time, I might declare to a nation or a kingdom that it will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. 8 and later on, that nation that I spoke to might turn away from its evil, and then I’ll cancel the destruction that I’d planned for them. 9 Another time, I might declare that a nation or kingdom will be established, or strengthened, 10 however if I see it doing evil and not listening to my voice, then I’ll cancel the good that I’d said I’d do to it. 11 So now, speak to the people of Yehudah including Yerushalem’s residents and tell them that Yahweh says, “Listen, I’m about to devise a plan against you all and prepare calamity for you. Each of you needs to turn back from their evil activities and improve your behaviour and your activities.” 12 However, they’ll say, “Don’t waste your time because we’ll continue with our plans, and each of us will do whatever wicked things that we want!”