The Lord’s Negative Response
1 Then theLordsaid to me: “Even ifMoses andSamuel shouldstand before Me,My compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from My presence, and let them go.
2 If they ask you, ‘Where will we go?’ you must tell them: This is what theLordsays:
Those destined for death,to death;
those destined for the sword, to the sword.
Those destined for famine, to famine;
those destined for captivity, to captivity.
3 “I will ordain four kindsof judgment for them” — this is theLord’s declaration — “the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away,and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the landto devour and destroy.
4 I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manassehson of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.
5 Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem?
Who will show sympathy toward you?
Who will turn aside
to ask about your welfare?
6 You have left Me.
This is theLord’s declaration.
You have turned your back,
so I have stretched out My hand against you
and destroyed you.
I am tiredof showing compassion.
7 I scattered them with a winnowing fork
at the gates of the land.
I made them childless; I destroyed My people.
They would not turn from their ways.
8 I made their widows more numerous
than the sand of the seas.
I brought a destroyer at noon
against the mother of young men.
I suddenly released on her
agitation and terrors.
9 The mother of seven grew faint;
she breathed her last breath.
Her sun set while it was still day;
she was ashamed and humiliated.
The rest of them I will give over to the sword
in the presence of their enemies.”
This is theLord’s declaration.
Jeremiah’s Complaint
10 Woe is me, my mother,
that you gave birth to me,
a man who incites dispute and conflict
in all the land.
I did not lend or borrow,
yet everyone curses me.
The Lord’s Response
11 TheLordsaid:
I will certainly set you free and care for you.
I will certainly intercede for you
in a time of trouble,
in your time of distress, with the enemy.
12 Can anyone smash iron,
iron from the north, or bronze?
13 I will give up your wealth
and your treasures as plunder,
without cost,for all your sins
in all your borders.
14 Then I will make you serve your enemies
in a land you do not know,
for My anger will kindle a fire
that will burn against you.
Jeremiah’s Prayer for Vengeance
15 You know,Lord;
remember me and take note of me.
Avenge me against my persecutors.
In Your patience,don’t take me away.
Know that I suffer disgrace for Your honor.
16 Your words were found, and I ate them.
Your words became a delight to me
and the joy of my heart,
for I am called by Your name,
Yahweh God of Hosts.
17 I never sat with the band of revelers,
and I did not celebrate with them.
Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone,
for You filled me with indignation.
18 Why has my pain become unending,
my wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
You truly have become like a mirage to me —
water that is not reliable.
Jeremiah Told to Repent
19 Therefore, this is what theLordsays:
If you return, I will restore you;
you will stand in My presence.
And if you speak noble words,
rather than worthless ones,
you will be My spokesman.
It is they who must return to you;
you must not return to them.
20 Then I will make you a fortified wall of bronze
to this people.
They will fight against you
but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you.
This is theLord’s declaration.
21 I will deliver you from the power of evil people
and redeem you from the control of the ruthless.
—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/15-08bd4d6360967e144c7a4d6bfa304ed5.mp3?version_id=72—