Jeremiah

Warnings about Jerusalem's destruction due to unfaithfulness, with promises of a new covenant.

Chapter 14

1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

*The message from God that Jeremiah received about the food shortage.

2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

*Judah is sad and its gates are weak; they look dark to the ground; and Jerusalem's cries have reached heaven.

3 And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

*The important people sent their children to get water, but when they reached the wells, they found no water. They went back empty-handed, feeling embarrassed and confused, so they covered their heads.

4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

*Because the soil was dry due to lack of rain, farmers felt embarrassed, so they hid their heads.

5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.

*Yes, the deer gave birth in the open area but left the newborn since there was no food.

6 And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.

*The wild donkeys stood on high ground, smelling the wind like powerful creatures; their vision weakened because there was no food.

7 O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

*Dear GOD, even though we've done wrong and it shows, please forgive us because of your great name. We've strayed from you many times and made mistakes, Lord.

8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

*O hope of Israel, who saves them in tough times, why do you act like a stranger in your own land, stopping for just a night like a traveler?

9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

*Why be shocked like a person, like a strong person who can't rescue? But you, Lord, are among us and we bear your name; don't abandon us.

10 Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

*So says God to these people: They enjoy wandering and don't stop their feet. That's why God doesn't accept them. He will now recall their wrongdoings and punish their sins.

11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

*Then God told me, "Don't pray for these people for their own good."

12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

*When they don't eat to seek my help, I won't listen to their cries for help. Even if they offer special gifts, I won't accept them. Instead, I will cause them harm with swords, lack of food, and sickness.

13 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

*Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! The prophets tell the people that they won't see sword or famine. Instead, I will bring them certain peace in this place."

14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

*Then God told me, "Prophets lie using my name. I didn't send them or tell them what to say. They give you fake visions and predictions, things that don't matter, and are just lies from their hearts."

15 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

*So, God says this about fake prophets claiming to speak for Him: They said that war and hunger won't happen here, but since I didn't send them, they will face war and hunger themselves.

16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

*Those who receive prophecies will be thrown out of Jerusalem's streets due to hunger and violence. No one will be there to bury them or their families because I will punish their evil deeds.

17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

*So you should tell them, "My eyes constantly cry tears day and night, and they won't stop. This is because the pure daughter of my people has been severely hurt, with a huge and extremely painful blow."

18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

*If I go to the field, I see people killed by swords. If I go to the city, I see people starving. Even the prophet and priest wander in a land they don't know.

19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

*Have you completely rejected Judah? Do you really dislike Zion? Why have you hurt us with no cure? We sought peace but found no goodness, and we searched for healing only to find more trouble.

20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

*We admit, Lord, that we've done wrong and so did our ancestors; we have sinned against you.

21 Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

*Do not reject us because of your name; don't shame your glorious throne; remember and keep your promise to us.

22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

*Is there anything among the false gods of non-Jewish people that can make it rain? Can the sky give showers? Aren't you the true God, Lord? So, we will wait for you because you created everything.

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