| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1“O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.” Coming Judgment against Judah |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the LORD, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5“Shout to Judah, and broadcast to Jerusalem! Tell them to sound the alarm throughout the land: ‘Run for your lives! Flee to the fortified cities!’ |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Raise a signal flag as a warning for Jerusalem : ‘Flee now! Do not delay!’ For I am bringing terrible destruction upon you from the north.” |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7A lion stalks from its den, a destroyer of nations. It has left its lair and is headed your way. It’s going to devastate your land! Your towns will lie in ruins, with no one living in them anymore. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8So put on clothes of mourning and weep with broken hearts, for the fierce anger of the LORD is still upon us. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9“In that day,” says the LORD, “the king and the officials will tremble in fear. The priests will be struck with horror, and the prophets will be appalled.” |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Then I said, “O Sovereign LORD, the people have been deceived by what you said, for you promised peace for Jerusalem. But the sword is held at their throats!” |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11The time is coming when the LORD will say to the people of Jerusalem, “My dear people, a burning wind is blowing in from the desert, and it’s not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12It is a roaring blast sent by me! Now I will pronounce your destruction!” |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Our enemy rushes down on us like storm clouds! His chariots are like whirlwinds. His horses are swifter than eagles. How terrible it will be, for we are doomed! |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts? |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Your destruction has been announced from Dan and the hill country of Ephraim. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16“Warn the surrounding nations and announce this to Jerusalem: The enemy is coming from a distant land, raising a battle cry against the towns of Judah. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17They surround Jerusalem like watchmen around a field, for my people have rebelled against me,” says the LORD. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18“Your own actions have brought this upon you. This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart!” Jeremiah Weeps for His People |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain! My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still. For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets and the roar of their battle cries. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20Waves of destruction roll over the land, until it lies in complete desolation. Suddenly my tents are destroyed; in a moment my shelters are crushed. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21How long must I see the battle flags and hear the trumpets of war? |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22“My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the LORD. “They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!” Jeremiah’s Vision of Coming Disaster |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23I looked at the earth, and it was empty and formless. I looked at the heavens, and there was no light. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24I looked at the mountains and hills, and they trembled and shook. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25I looked, and all the people were gone. All the birds of the sky had flown away. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness. The towns lay in ruins, crushed by the LORD’s fierce anger. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27This is what the LORD says: “The whole land will be ruined, but I will not destroy it completely. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28The earth will mourn and the heavens will be draped in black because of my decree against my people. I have made up my mind and will not change it.” |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29At the noise of charioteers and archers, the people flee in terror. They hide in the bushes and run for the mountains. All the towns have been abandoned— not a person remains! |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30What are you doing, you who have been plundered? Why do you dress up in beautiful clothing and put on gold jewelry? Why do you brighten your eyes with mascara? Your primping will do you no good! The allies who were your lovers despise you and seek to kill you. |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31I hear a cry, like that of a woman in labor, the groans of a woman giving birth to her first child. It is beautiful Jerusalem gasping for breath and crying out, “Help! I’m being murdered!” |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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