Jeremiah 13:13-27 ▼

13 Then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I am about to fill all the inhabitants of this land—the kings that sit for David on his throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem—with drunkenness!

14 I will shatter them against each other, both the fathers and the sons together,” declares Yahweh. “I will not spare nor show pity nor have compassion so as not to ruin them.”’”

15 Listen and give ear, do not be haughty, For Yahweh has spoken.

16 Give glory to Yahweh your God, Before He brings darkness And before your feet stumble On the dusky mountains; And while you are hoping for light, He makes it into the shadow of death And turns it into dense gloom.

17 But if you will not listen to it, My soul will cry in secret for such pride; And my eyes will bitterly weep And flow down with tears Because the flock of Yahweh has been taken captive.

18 Say to the king and the queen mother, “Take a lowly seat, For your beautiful crown Has come down from your head.”

19 The cities of the Negev have been closed up, And there is no one to open them; All Judah has been taken away into exile, Wholly taken away into exile.

20 “Lift up your eyes and see Those coming from the north. Where is the flock that was given you, Your beautiful sheep?

21 What will you say when He appoints over you— And you yourself had taught them— Former companions to be head over you? Will not pangs seize you Like a woman in childbirth?

22 If you say in your heart, ‘Why have these things happened to me?’ Because of the magnitude of your iniquity Your skirts have been uncovered And your heels have suffered violence.

23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil.

24 Therefore I will scatter them like chaff passing away Into the wilderness wind.

25 This is your lot, the portion measured to you From Me,” declares Yahweh, “Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in lies.

26 So I Myself have also stripped your skirts off over your face, That your disgrace may be seen.

27 As for your adulteries and your lustful neighings, The lewdness of your prostitution On the hills in the field, I have seen your detestable things. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you not cleanse yourself?”