Jeremiah 4:1-12 ▼

1 “If you will return, O Israel (he wrestles with God), return to Me,” declares the LORD {YHWH}. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver,

2 and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD {YHWH} lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”

3 For this is what the LORD {YHWH} says to the men of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace): “Break up your⁺ unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns.

4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD {YHWH}, and remove the foreskins of your⁺ hearts, O men of Judah (praised) and people of Jerusalem (city of peace). Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your⁺ evil deeds.”

5 Announce in Judah (praised), proclaim in Jerusalem (city of peace), and say: “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves and let us flee to the fortified cities.’

6 Raise a signal flag toward Zion. Seek refuge! Do not delay! For I am bringing disaster from the north, and terrible destruction.

7 A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited.

8 So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD {YHWH} has not turned away from us.”

9 “In that day,” declares the LORD {YHWH}, “the king and officials will lose their courage. The priests will tremble in fear, and the prophets will be astounded.”

10 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}, how completely You have deceived this people and Jerusalem (city of peace) by saying, ‘You⁺ will have peace,’ while a sword is at our throats.”

11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem (city of peace), “A searing wind {ruach} from the barren heights in the desert blows toward the daughter of My people, but not to winnow or to sift;

12 a wind {ruach} too strong for that comes from Me. Now I also pronounce judgments against them.”