1“O Israel,” says the LORD,“if you wanted to return to me, you could.You could throw away your detestable idolsand stray away no more.
2 Then when you swear by my name, saying,‘As surely as the LORD lives,’you could do sowith 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
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 O people of Judah and Jerusalem,surrender your pride and power.Change your hearts before the LORD, Hebrew Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart.or my anger will burn like an unquenchable firebecause of all your sins.
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 Raise a signal flag as a warning for Jerusalem Hebrew Zion.:‘Flee now! Do not delay!’For I am bringing terrible destruction upon youfrom the north.”
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 So put on clothes of mourningand weep with broken hearts,for the fierce anger of the LORDis still upon us.
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.”
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!”
11The time is coming when the LORD will sayto 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 It is a roaring blast sent by me!Now I will pronounce your destruction!”
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 O Jerusalem, cleanse your heartthat you may be saved.How long will you harboryour evil thoughts?
15 Your destruction has been announcedfrom Dan and the hill country of Ephraim.
16“Warn the surrounding nationsand announce this to Jerusalem:The enemy is coming from a distant land,raising a battle cry against the towns of Judah.
17 They surround Jerusalem like watchmen around a field,for my people have rebelled against me,”says the LORD.
18 “Your own actions have brought this upon you.This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart!”
Jeremiah Weeps for His People
19 My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain!My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still.For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpetsand the roar of their battle cries.
20 Waves 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 How long must I see the battle flagsand hear the trumpets of war?
22“My people are foolishand do not know me,” says the LORD.“They are stupid childrenwho 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 I looked at the earth, and it was empty and formless.I looked at the heavens, and there was no light.
24 I looked at the mountains and hills,and they trembled and shook.
25 I looked, and all the people were gone.All the birds of the sky had flown away.
26 I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness.The towns lay in ruins,crushed by the LORD’s fierce anger.
27This is what the LORD says:“The whole land will be ruined,but I will not destroy it completely.
28 The earth will mournand the heavens will be draped in blackbecause of my decree against my people.I have made up my mind and will not change it.”
29At the noise of charioteers and archers,the people flee in terror.They hide in the bushesand run for the mountains.All the towns have been abandoned—not a person remains!
30 What are you doing,you who have been plundered?Why do you dress up in beautiful clothingand put on gold jewelry?Why do you brighten your eyes with mascara?Your primping will do you no good!The allies who were your loversdespise you and seek to kill you.
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 Hebrew the daughter of Zion.gasping for breath and crying out,“Help! I’m being murdered!”
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