Month: February 2020

Jeremiah’s Speech in the Temple

1 At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakimson of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from theLord:

2 “This is what theLordsays: Stand in the courtyard of theLord’s temple and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all Judah’s cities that are coming to worship there. Do not hold back a word.

3 Perhaps they will listen and return — each from his evil way of life — so that I might relentconcerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.

4 You are to say to them: This is what theLordsays: If you do not listen to Me by living according to My instruction that I set before you

5 and by listening to the words of My servants the prophetsI have been sending you time and time again,though you did not listen,

6 I will make this temple like Shiloh.I will make this city an object of cursing for all the nations of the earth.”

Jeremiah Seized

7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the temple of theLord.

8 He finished the address theLordhad commanded him to deliver to all the people. Then the priests, the prophets, and all the people took hold of him, yelling, “You must surely die!

9 How dare you prophesy in the name of Yahweh, ‘This temple will become like Shiloh and this city will become an uninhabited ruin’! ” Then all the people assembled against Jeremiah at theLord’s temple.

10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went from the king’s palace to theLord’s temple and sat at the entrance of the New Gate.

11 Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man deserves the death sentence because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”

Jeremiah’s Defense

12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and the people, “TheLordsent me to prophesy all the words that you have heard against this temple and city.

13 So now, correct your ways and deedsand obey the voice of theLordyour God so that He might relent concerning the disaster that He warned about.

14 As for me, here I am in your hands; do to me what you think is good and right.

15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent bloodon yourselves, on this city, and on its residents, for it is certain theLordhas sent me to speak all these things directly to you.”

Jeremiah Released

16 Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man doesn’t deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God! ”

17 Some of the elders of the land stood upand said to all the assembled people,

18 “Micah the Moreshiteprophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judahand said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what theLordof Hosts says:

Zion will be plowed like a field,

Jerusalem will become ruins,

and the temple mount a forested hill.’

19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all the people of Judah put him to death? Did he not fear theLordand plead for theLord’s favor,and did not theLordrelent concerning the disaster He had pronounced against them?We are about to bring great harm on ourselves! ”

The Prophet Uriah

20 Another man was also prophesying in the name of Yahweh — Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim.He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like all those of Jeremiah.

21 King Jehoiakim, all his warriors, and all the officials heard his words, and the king tried to put him to death. When Uriah heard, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.

22 But King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achborand certain other men with him went to Egypt.

23 They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who executed him with the sword and threw his corpse into the burial place of the common people.

24 But Ahikamson of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/26-ba8a0c3e4957ea8587a1dbf64819f7c7.mp3?version_id=72—

The Yoke of Babylon

1 At the beginning of the reign of Zedekiahson of Josiah, king of Judah,this word came to Jeremiah from theLord:

2 “This is what theLordsaid to me: Make chains and yoke barsfor yourself and put them on your neck.

3 Send word to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidonthrough messengers who are coming to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem.

4 Command them to go to their masters, saying: This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: This is what you must say to your masters:

5 By My great strength and outstretched arm,I made the earth,and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.

6 So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servantNebuchadnezzar,king of Babylon. I have even given him the wild animals to serve him.

7 All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his own land comes, and then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

8 “As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and does not place its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish by sword, famine, and plague” — this is theLord’s declaration — “until through him I have destroyed it.

9 But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, diviners,dreamers, fortune-tellers,or sorcererswho say to you, ‘Don’t serve the king of Babylon! ’

10 for they prophesy a lieto you so that you will be removed from your land. I will banish you, and you will perish.

11 But as for the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave it in its own land, and that nation will cultivateit and reside in it.” This is theLord’s declaration.

Warning to Zedekiah

12 I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judahin the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and live!

13 Why should you and your people dieby the sword, famine, or plague as theLordhas threatened against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?

14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are telling you, ‘You must not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying a lie to you.

15 ‘I have not sent them’ — this is theLord’s declaration — ‘and they are prophesying falsely in My name; therefore, I will banish you, and you will perish — you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.’ ”

16 Then I spoke to the priests and all these people, saying, “This is what theLordsays: ‘Do not listen to the words of your prophets. They are prophesying to you, claiming, “Look, very soon now the articles of theLord’s temple will be brought back from Babylon.”They are prophesying a lie to you.

17 Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon and live! Why should this city become a ruin?

18 If they are indeed prophets and if the word of theLordis with them, let them intercede with theLordof Hosts not to let the articles that remain in theLord’s temple, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem go to Babylon.’

19 For this is what theLordof Hosts says about the pillars, the sea, the water carts,and the rest of the articles that still remain in this city,

20 those Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he deported Jeconiahson of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon along with all the nobles of Judahand Jerusalem.

21 Yes, this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the temple of theLord, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem:

22 ‘They will be brought to Babylon and will remain there until I attend to them again.’This is theLord’s declaration. ‘Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.’ ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/27-1d32b7aeb18b5aa5962cf47c9df23a6c.mp3?version_id=72—

Hananiah’s False Prophecy

1 In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah,in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur from Gibeonsaid to me in the temple of theLordin the presence of the priests and all the people,

2 “This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles of theLord’s templethat King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took from here and transported to Babylon.

4 And I will restore to this place Jeconiahson of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judahwho went to Babylon’ — this is theLord’s declaration — ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’ ”

Jeremiah’s Response to Hananiah

5 The prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the temple of theLord.

6 The prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen!May theLorddo so. May theLordmake the words you have prophesied come true and may He restore the articles of theLord’s temple and all the exiles from Babylon to this place!

7 Only listen to this message I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.

8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, disaster,and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.

9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace — only when the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one theLordhas truly sent.”

Hananiah Breaks Jeremiah’s Yoke

10 The prophet Hananiah then took the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it.

11 In the presence of all the people Hananiah proclaimed, “This is what theLordsays: ‘In this way, within two years I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of all the nations.’ ” Jeremiah the prophet then went on his way.

The Lord’s Word against Hananiah

12 The word of theLordcame to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet:

13 “Go say to Hananiah: This is what theLordsays, ‘You broke a wooden yoke bar, but in its place you will make an iron yoke bar.’

14 For this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says, ‘I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations that they might serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,and they will serve him.I have also put the wild animals under him.’ ”

15 The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! TheLorddid not send you, but you have led these people to trust in a lie.

16 Therefore, this is what theLordsays: ‘I am about to send you off the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have spoken rebellion against theLord.’ ”

17 And the prophet Hananiah died that year in the seventh month.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/28-24296aceeb6b9cc190b17e4ebeeab254.mp3?version_id=72—

Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles

1 This is the text of the letterthat Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exiles, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzarhad deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.

2 This was after King Jeconiah,the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had left Jerusalem.

3 The letter was sent by Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiahwhom Zedekiah king of Judah had sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter stated:

4 This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 “Build houses and live in them.Plant gardens and eat their produce.

6 Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.

7 Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to theLordon its behalf,for when it has prosperity, you will prosper.”

8 For this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among youand your diviners deceive you,and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them,

9 for they are prophesying falsely to you in My name. I have not sent them.”This is theLord’s declaration.

10 For this is what theLordsays: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete,I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place.

11 For I know the plans I have for you”— this is theLord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

13 You will seek Meand find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

14 I will be found by you” — this is theLord’s declaration — “and I will restore your fortunesand gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” — this is theLord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”

15 You have said, “TheLordhas raised up prophets for us in Babylon! ”

16 But this is what theLordsays concerning the king sitting on David’s throneand concerning all the people living in this city — that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile.

17 This is what theLordof Hosts says: “I am about to send against them sword, famine, and plagueand will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad.

18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth — a curse and a desolation, an object of scorn and a disgrace among all the nationswhere I have banished them.

19 I will do this because they have not listened to My words” — this is theLord’s declaration — “that I sent to them with My servants the prophets time and time again.And you too have not listened.” This is theLord’s declaration.

20 Hear the word of theLord, all you exiles I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.

21 This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says to Ahab son of Kolaiah and to Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, the ones prophesying a lie to you in My name:“I am about to hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes.

22 Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a cursethat says, ‘May theLordmake you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire! ’

23 because they have committed an outragein Israel by committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken a lie in My name, which I did not command them. I am He who knows, and I am a witness.” This is theLord’s declaration.

24 To Shemaiah the Nehelamite you are to say,

25 “This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Youin your own name have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniahson of Maaseiah, and to all the priests, saying:

26 ‘TheLordhas appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest to be the chief officerin the temple of theLord, responsible for every madmanwho acts like a prophet. You must confine him in the stocksand an iron collar.

27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who has been acting like a prophet among you?

28 For he has sent word to us in Babylon, claiming, “The exile will be long. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.” ’ ”

29 Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet.

A Message about Shemaiah

30 Then the word of theLordcame to Jeremiah:

31 “Send a message to all the exiles, saying: This is what theLordsays concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie,

32 this is what theLordsays: I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be even one of his descendants living among these people,nor will any ever see the good that I will bring to My people” — this is theLord’s declaration — “for he has preached rebellion against theLord.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/29-a4d1547ef9b490fd1f7b62dc9af11b9a.mp3?version_id=72—

Restoration from Captivity

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLord.

2 This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: “Write down on a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you,

3 for the days are certainly coming” — this is theLord’s declaration — “when I will restore the fortunesof My people Israel and Judah”— theLord’s declaration. “I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it.”

4 These are the words theLordspoke to Israel and Judah.

5 Yes, this is what theLordsays:

We have heard a cry of terror,

of dread — there is no peace.

6 Ask and see

whether a male can give birth.

Why then do I see every man

with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor

and every face turned pale?

7 How awful that day will be!

There will be none like it!

It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,

but he will be delivered out of it.

8 “On that day” — this is the declaration of theLordof Hosts — “I will break his yoke from your neckand tear off your chainsso strangers will never again enslave him.

9 They will serve theLordtheir God and I will raise up David their king for them.”

10 As for you, My servant Jacob,

do not be afraid —

this is theLord’s declaration —

and do not be dismayed, Israel,

for without fail I will save you from far away,

your descendants, from the land of their captivity!

Jacob will return and have calm and quiet

with no one to frighten him.

11 For I will be with you —

this is theLord’s declaration —

to save you!

I will bring destruction on all the nations

where I have scattered you;

however, I will not bring destruction on you.

I will discipline you justly,

and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

Healing Zion’s Wounds

12 For this is what theLordsays:

Your injury is incurable;

your wound most severe.

13 No one takes up the case for your sores.

There is no healing for you.

14 All your lovers have forgotten you;

they no longer look for you,

for I have struck you as an enemy would,

with the disciplineof someone cruel,

because of your enormous guilt

and your innumerable sins.

15 Why do you cry out about your injury?

Your pain has no cure!

I have done these things to you

because of your enormous guilt

and your innumerable sins.

16 Nevertheless, all who devoured you will be devoured,

and all your adversaries — all of them —

will go off into exile.

Those who plunder you will be plundered,

and all who raid you will be raided.

17 But I will bring you health

and will heal you of your wounds —

this is theLord’s declaration —

for they call you Outcast,

Zion whom no one cares about.

Restoration of the Land

18 This is what theLordsays:

I will certainly restore the fortunesof Jacob’s tents

and show compassionon his dwellings.

Every city will be rebuilt on its mound;

every citadel will stand on its proper site.

19 Thanksgiving will come out of them,

a sound of celebration.

I will multiply them, and they will not decrease;

I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.

20 His children will be as in past days;

his congregation will be established in My presence.

I will punish all his oppressors.

21 Jacob’s leader will be one of them;

his ruler will issue from him.

I will invite him to Me, and he will approach Me,

for who would otherwise risk his life to approach Me?

This is theLord’s declaration.

22 You will be My people,

and I will be your God.

The Wrath of God

23 Look, a storm from theLord!

Wrath has gone out,

a churning storm.

It will whirl about the heads of the wicked.

24 TheLord’s burning anger will not turn back

until He has completely fulfilled the purposes of His heart.

In time to come you will understand it.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/30-2b10feb8fd103ca966ecce774a27f595.mp3?version_id=72—

God’s Relationship with His People

1 “At that time” — this is theLord’s declaration — “I will be the God of all the families of Israel,and they will be My people.”

2 This is what theLordsays:

They found favor in the wilderness—

the people who survived the sword.

When Israel went to find rest,

3 theLordappeared to himfrom far away.

I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.

4 Again I will build you so that you will be rebuilt,

Virgin Israel.

You will take up your tambourines again

and go out in joyful dancing.

5 You will plant vineyards again

on the mountains of Samaria;

the planters will plant and will enjoy the fruit.

6 For there will be a day when watchmen will call out

in the hill country of Ephraim,

“Get up, let’s go up to Zion,

to Yahweh our God! ”

God’s People Brought Home

7 For this is what theLordsays:

Sing with joy for Jacob;

shout for the chief of the nations!

Proclaim, praise, and say,

“Lord, save Your people,

the remnant of Israel! ”

8 Watch! I am going to bring them from the northern land.

I will gather them from remote regions of the earth—

the blind and the lame will be with them,

along with those who are pregnant and those about to give birth.

They will return here as a great assembly!

9 They will come weeping,

but I will bring them back with consolation.

I will lead them to wadis filled with water

by a smooth way where they will not stumble,

for I am Israel’s Father,

and Ephraim is My firstborn.

10 Nations, hear the word of theLord,

and tell it among the far off coastlands!

Say: The One who scattered Israel will gather him.

He will watch over him as a shepherd guards his flock,

11 for theLordhas ransomed Jacob

and redeemed him from the power of one stronger than he.

12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;

they will be radiant with joy

because of theLord’s goodness,

because of the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil,

and because of the young of the flocks and herds.

Their life will be like an irrigated garden,

and they will no longer grow weak from hunger.

13 Then the young woman will rejoice with dancing,

while young and old men rejoice together.

I will turn their mourning into joy,

give them consolation,

and bring happiness out of grief.

14 I will refresh the priests with an abundance,

and My people will be satisfied with My goodness.

This is theLord’s declaration.

Lament Turned to Joy

15 This is what theLordsays:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

a lament with bitter weeping —

Rachel weeping for her children,

refusing to be comforted for her children

because they are no more.

16 This is what theLordsays:

Keep your voice from weeping

and your eyes from tears,

for the reward for your work will come —

this is theLord’s declaration —

and your children will return from the enemy’s land.

17 There is hope for your future—

this is theLord’s declaration —

and your children will return to their own territory.

18 I have heard Ephraim moaning,

“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined

like an untrained calf.

Restore me, and I will return,

for you,Lord, are my God.

19 After I returned, I repented;

After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief.

I was ashamed and humiliated

because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”

20 Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to Me,

a delightful child?

Whenever I speak against him,

I certainly still think about him.

Therefore, My inner being yearns for him;

I will truly have compassion on him.

This is theLord’s declaration.

Repentance and Restoration

21 Set up road markersfor yourself;

establish signposts!

Keep the highway in mind,

the way you have traveled.

Return, Virgin Israel!

Return to these cities of yours.

22 How long will you turn here and there,

faithless daughter?

For theLordcreates something new in the land—

a femalewill sheltera man.

23 This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “When I restore their fortunes,they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities, ‘May theLordbless you, righteous settlement,holy mountain.’

24 Judah and all its cities will live in it together — also farmers and those who movewith the flocks —

25 for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.”

26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.

27 “The days are coming” — this is theLord’s declaration — “when I will sow the house of Israeland the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast.

28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster,so will I be attentive to build and to plant them,”says theLord.

29 “In those days, it will never again be said:

The fathers have eaten sour grapes,

and the children’s teeth are set on edge.

30 Rather, each will die for his own wrongdoing.Anyone who eats sour grapes — his own teeth will be set on edge.

The New Covenant

31 “Look, the days are coming”— this is theLord’s declaration — “when I will make a new covenantwith the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt — a covenant they broke even though I had married them”— theLord’s declaration.

33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” — theLord’s declaration. “I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.

34 No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know theLord,’for they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them”— this is theLord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their wrongdoingand never again remember their sin.

35 This is what theLordsays:

The One who gives the sun for light by day,

the fixed order of moon and stars for light by night,

who stirs up the sea and makes its waves roar—

Yahweh of Hosts is His name:

36 If this fixed order departs from My presence —

this is theLord’s declaration —

then also Israel’s descendants will cease

to be a nation before Me forever.

37 This is what theLordsays:

If the heavens above can be measured

and the foundations of the earth below explored,

I will reject all of Israel’s descendants

because of all they have done —

this is theLord’s declaration.

38 “Look, the days are coming” — theLord’s declaration — “when the cityfrom the Tower of Hananelto the Corner Gatewill be rebuilt for theLord.

39 A measuring line will once again stretch out straight to the hill of Gareband then turn toward Goah.

40 The whole valley — the corpses, the ashes, and all the fields as far as the Kidron Valleyto the corner of the Horse Gateto the east — will be holy to theLord. It will never be uprooted or demolished again.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/31-4a5c9486f945ce614e21a435aadef59c.mp3?version_id=72—

Jeremiah’s Land Purchase

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLordin the tenth year of Zedekiahking of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.

2 At that time, the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem,and Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned in the guard’s courtyardin the palace of the king of Judah.

3 Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying, ‘This is what theLordsays: Look, I am about to hand this city over to Babylon’s king, and he will capture it.

4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the Chaldeans; indeed, he will certainly be handed over to Babylon’s king. They will speak face to faceand meet eye to eye.

5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon where he will stay until I attend to him’ — this is theLord’s declaration. ‘You will fight the Chaldeans, but you will not succeed’? ”

6 Jeremiah replied, “The word of theLordcame to me:

7 Watch! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy my field in Anathothfor yourself, for you own the right of redemptionto buy it.’

8 “Then my cousin Hanamel came to the guard’s courtyard as theLordhad said and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of theLord.

9 So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out to him the money— 17 shekelsof silver.

10 I recorded it on a scroll,sealed it, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver in the scales.

11 I took the purchase agreement — the sealed copy with its terms and conditions and the open copy —

12 and gave the purchase agreement to Baruchson of Neriah, son of Mahseiah. I did this in the sight of my cousinHanamel, the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement, and all the Judeans sitting in the guard’s courtyard.

13 “I instructed Baruch in their sight,

14 ‘This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Take these scrolls — this purchase agreement with the sealed copy and this open copy — and put them in an earthen storage jar so they will last a long time.

15 For this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’

16 “After I had given the purchase agreement to Baruch, son of Neriah, I prayed to theLord:

17 Oh, LordGod! You Yourself made the heavens and earthby Your great powerand with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

18 You show faithful love to thousands but lay the fathers’ sins on their sons’ laps after them,great and mighty Godwhose name is Yahweh of Hosts,

19 the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men in order to give to each person according to his ways and the result of his deeds.

20 You performed signs and wonders in the land of Egyptand do so to this very day both in Israel and among mankind. You made a namefor Yourself, as is the case today.

21 You brought Your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror.

22 You gave them this land You swore to give to their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.

23 They entered and possessed it, but they did not obey Your voice or live according to Your instructions.They failed to perform all You commanded them to do,and so You have brought all this disaster on them.

24 Look! Siege rampshave come against the city to capture it, and the city, as a result of the sword, famine, and plague, has been handed over to the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What You have spoken has happened. Look, You can see it!

25 Yet You, LordGod, have said to me: Buy the field with silver and call in witnesses — even though the city has been handed over to the Chaldeans! ”

26 Then the word of theLordcame to Jeremiah:

27 “Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh.Is anything too difficult for Me?

28 Therefore, this is what theLordsays: I am about to hand this city over to the Chaldeans,to Babylon’s king Nebuchadnezzar, and he will capture it.

29 The Chaldeans who are going to fight against this city will come, set this city on fire, and burn it along with the houses where incense has been burned to Baal on their rooftops and where drink offerings have been poured out to other gods to provoke Me to anger.

30 From their youth, the Israelites and Judeans have done nothing but what is evil in My sight! They have done nothing but provoke Me to anger by the work of their hands”— this is theLord’s declaration —

31 “for this city has caused My wrath and fury from the day it was built until now. I will therefore remove it from My presence,

32 because of all the evil the Israelites and Judeans have done to provoke Me to anger — they, their kings,their officials, their priests, and their prophets, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem.

33 They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces.Though I taught them time and time again,they do not listen and receive discipline.

34 They have placed their detestable thingsin the house that is called by My name and have defiled it.

35 They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech— something I had not commanded them. I had never entertained the thoughtthat they do this detestable act causing Judah to sin!

36 “Now therefore, this is what theLord, the God of Israel, says to this city about which you said, ‘It has been handed over to Babylon’s king through sword, famine, and plague’:

37 I am about to gather them from all the lands where I have banished them in My anger, rage and great wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them live in safety.

38 They will be My people, and I will be their God.

39 I will give them one heartand one way so that for their good and for the good of their descendants after them, they will fear Me always.

40 “I will make an everlasting covenant with them:I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put fear of Me in their hearts so they will never again turn away from Me.

41 I will take delight in them to do what is good for them, and with all My heart and mind I will faithfully plant them in this land.

42 “For this is what theLordsays: Just as I have brought all this great disaster on these people,so am I about to bring on them all the good I am promising them.

43 Fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying,‘It’s a desolationwithout man or beast; it has been handed over to the Chaldeans! ’

44 Fields will be purchased with silver, the transaction written on a scroll and sealed,and witnesses will be called on in the land of Benjamin,in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in Judah’s cities — the cities of the hill country, the cities of the Judean foothills, and the cities of the Negev — because I will restore their fortunes.”

This is theLord’s declaration.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/32-ac1e634b3c466138673c554869514965.mp3?version_id=72—

Israel’s Restoration

1 While he was still confined in the guard’s courtyard,the word of theLordcame to Jeremiah a second time:

2 “TheLordwho made the earth,theLordwho forms it to establish it,Yahweh is His name,says this:

3 Call to Me and I will answer youand tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.

4 For this is what theLord, the God of Israel, says concerning the houses of this city and the palaces of Judah’s kings, the ones torn down for defense against the siege ramps and the sword:

5 The people coming to fight the Chaldeans will fill the houses with the corpses of their own men that I strike down in My wrath and rage. I have hidden My facefrom this city because of all their evil.

6 Yet I will certainly bring healthand healing to it and will indeed heal them. I will let them experience the abundanceof peace and truth.

7 I will restore the fortunesof Judah and of Israel and will rebuild them as in former times.

8 I will purify them from all the wrongs they have committed against Me,and I will forgive all the wrongs they have committed against Me, rebelling against Me.

9 This city will bear on My behalf a name of joy, praise, and glorybefore all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I will do for them. They will tremble with awe because of all the good and all the peaceI will bring about for them.

10 “This is what theLordsays: In this place, which you say is a ruin,without man or beast — that is, in Judah’s cities and Jerusalem’s streets that are a desolation without man, without inhabitant, and without beast — there will be heard again

11 a sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the groom and the bride,and the voice of those saying,

Praise theLordof Hosts,

for theLordis good;

His faithful love endures forever

as they bring thank offerings to the temple of theLord. For I will restore the fortunesof the land as in former times, says theLord.

12 “This is what theLordof Hosts says: In this desolate place — without man or beast — and in all its cities there will once more be a grazing land where shepherds may rest flocks.

13 The flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts themin the cities of the hill country,the cities of the Judean foothills, the cities of the Negev, the land of Benjamin — the cities surrounding Jerusalem and Judah’s cities, says theLord.

God’s Covenant with David

14 “Look, the days are coming” —

this is theLord’s declaration —

“when I will fulfill the good promises

that I have spoken

concerning the house of Israel

and the house of Judah.

15 In those days and at that time

I will cause a Righteous Branch

to sprout up for David,

and He will administer justice

and righteousness in the land.

16 In those days Judah will be saved,

and Jerusalem will dwell securely,

and this is what she will be named:

Yahweh Our Righteousness.

17 “For this is what theLordsays: David will never fail to have a man sitting on the throne of the house of Israel.

18 The Levitical priests will never fail to have a man always before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices.”

19 The word of theLordcame to Jeremiah:

20 “This is what theLordsays: If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night so that day and night cease to come at their regular time,

21 then also My covenant with My servant Davidmay be broken so that he will not have a son reigning on his throne, and the Levitical priests will not be My ministers.

22 The hosts of heaven cannot be counted; the sand of the sea cannot be measured.So, too, I will make the descendants of My servant David and the Levites who minister to Me innumerable.”

23 The word of theLordcame to Jeremiah:

24 “Have you not noticed what these people have said? They say, ‘TheLordhas rejected the two families He had chosen.’My people are treated with contempt and no longer regarded as a nation among them.

25 This is what theLordsays: If I do not keep My covenant with the day and with the night and fail to establish the fixed order of heaven and earth,

26 then I might also reject the seed of Jacob and of My servant David — not taking from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead, I will restore their fortunesand have compassion on them.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/33-52298fa0d2a42e9cabb32a8974f4deed.mp3?version_id=72—

Jeremiah’s Word to King Zedekiah

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLordwhen Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,all his army, all the earthly kingdoms under his control,and all other nations were fighting against Jerusalem and all its surrounding cities:

2 “This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: Go, speak to Zedekiah, king of Judah, and tell him: This is what theLordsays: I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon,and he will burn it down.

3 As for you, you will not escapefrom his hand but are certain to be captured and handed over to him. You will meet the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak face to face;you will go to Babylon.

4 “Yet hear theLord’s word, Zedekiah, king of Judah. This is what theLordsays concerning you: You will not die by the sword;

5 you will die peacefully. There will be a burning ceremony for you just like the burning ceremonies for your fathers, the former kings who preceded you.‘Our king is dead! ’will be the lament for you, for I have spoken this word.” This is theLord’s declaration.

6 So Jeremiah the prophet related all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem

7 while the king of Babylon’s army was attacking Jerusalem and all of Judah’s remaining cities — against Lachish and Azekah,for they were the only ones left of Judah’s fortified cities.

The People and Their Slaves

8 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLordafter King Zedekiah made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim freedomto them,

9 so each man would free his male and female Hebrew slaves and no one would enslave his Judean brother.

10 All the officials and people who entered into covenant to free their male and female slaves — in order not to enslave them any longer — obeyed and freed them.

11 Afterward, however, they changed their minds and took back their male and female slaves they had freed and forced them to become slaves again.

12 Then the word of theLordcame to Jeremiah from theLord:

13 “This is what theLord, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenantwith your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery, saying:

14 At the end of seven years, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who sold himselfto you. He may serve you six years, but then you must send him out free from you.But your ancestors did not obey Me or pay any attention.

15 Today you repented and did what pleased Me, each of you proclaiming freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Meat the temple called by My name.

16 But you have changed your mindsand profaned My name.Each has taken back his male and female slaves who had been freed to go wherever they wanted, and you have again subjugated them to be your slaves.

17 “Therefore, this is what theLordsays: You have not obeyed Me by proclaiming freedom, each man for his brother and for his neighbor.I hereby proclaim freedom for you”— this is theLord’s declaration — “to the sword, to plague, and to famine! I will make you a horror to all the earth’s kingdoms.

18 As for those who disobeyed My covenant,not keeping the terms of the covenant they made before Me, I will treat them like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces.

19 The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf

20 will be handed over to their enemies, to those who want to take their life. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.

21 I will hand Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials over to their enemies, to those who want to take their lives, to the king of Babylon’s army that is withdrawing.

22 I am about to give the command” — this is theLord’s declaration — “and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, capture it, and burn it down.I will make Judah’s cities a desolation, without inhabitant.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/34-be48c732968b1da1d8bf86a9208d7a6d.mp3?version_id=72—

The Rechabites’ Example

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from theLordin the days of Jehoiakimson of Josiah, king of Judah:

2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them,and bring them to one of the chambersof the temple of theLordto offer them a drink of wine.”

3 So I took Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons — the entire house of the Rechabites —

4 and I brought them into the temple of theLordto a chamber occupied by the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God,who had a chamber near the officials’ chamber, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper.

5 I set jars filled with wine and some cups before the sons of the house of the Rechabites and said to them, “Drink wine! ”

6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, for Jonadab,son of our ancestor Rechab, commanded: ‘You and your sons must never drink wine.

7 You must not build a house or sow seed or plant a vineyard. Those things are not for you. Rather, you must live in tents your whole life, so you may live a long time on the soil where you stay as a temporary resident.’

8 We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab, son of our ancestor Rechab, in all he commanded us. So we haven’t drunk wine our whole life — we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters.

9 We also have not built houses to live in and do not have vineyard, field, or seed.

10 But we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done as our ancestor Jonadab commanded us.

11 However, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched into the land,we said: Come, let’s go into Jerusalem to get away from the Chaldean and Aramean armies. So we have been living in Jerusalem.”

12 Then the word of theLordcame to Jeremiah:

13 “This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go, say to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem: Will you not accept disciplineby listening to My words? ” — this is theLord’s declaration.

14 “The words of Jonadab, son of Rechab, have been carried out. He commanded his sons not to drink wine, and they have not drunk to this very day because they have obeyed their ancestor’s command. But I have spoken to you time and time again,and you have not obeyed Me!

15 Time and time againI have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: Turn, each one from his evil way of life,and correct your actions. Stop following other gods to serve them.Live in the land that I gave you and your ancestors. But you would not pay attention or obey Me.

16 Yes, the sons of Jonadab son of Rechab carried out their ancestor’s command he gave them, but these people have not obeyed Me.

17 Therefore, this is what theLord, the God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I will certainly bring to Judah and to all the residents of Jerusalem all the disaster I have pronounced against them because I have spoken to them, but they have not obeyed, and I have called to them, but they would not answer.”

18 Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites: “This is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the command of your ancestor Jonadab and have kept all his commands and have done all that he commanded you,

19 this is what theLordof Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Jonadab son of Rechab will never fail to have a man to always stand before Me.’ ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/JER/35-f59496e86628c954e1a8c39b80d8e8c2.mp3?version_id=72—