Jeremiah

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

Chapter 30

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.

*So says the Lord God of Israel, "Write down everything I've told you in a book."

3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

*"Indeed, the time will come," says the Lord, "when I will bring back my people Israel and Judah. They will return to the land I gave to their ancestors, and they will own it once more."

4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.

*These are the words the LORD spoke about Israel and Judah.

5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.

*So says the Lord: We heard a voice shaking with fear, not one of peace.

6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

*Ask if someone is working hard or struggling. Why do I see everyone with their hands on their waist like a pregnant woman having a difficult time giving birth, and all their faces are pale with worry?

7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

*Oh no! That day is very significant and unique; nothing compares to it. It's when Jacob faces immense trouble, but eventually, he will be rescued from it.

8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:

*In that day, says the Lord, I will free you by removing his burden and breaking your chains. Strangers will no longer serve themselves of him.

9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

*But they will serve the Lord their God and King David, who I will bring back for them.

10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.

*So don't be scared, dear servant Jacob, says the Lord. Don't worry, Israel! I will rescue you far away and your children from where they are held captive. Then Jacob will be safe, at peace, calm, and no one will scare him.

11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.

*The Lord says, "I'm with you to save you. Even if I end all other nations where I scattered you, I won't completely destroy you. I'll discipline you fairly and won't let you go without punishment entirely."

12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.

*So, the Lord says, "Your injury won't heal, and your pain is very severe."

13 There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

*No one can defend your case so you can be healed; there are no healing remedies for you.

14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.

*All those who loved you have forgotten you; they don't look for you; I hurt you like an enemy does, punishing you cruelly because you did many wrong things and your sins grew more and more.

15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

*Why are you crying about your suffering? Your sadness cannot be cured because of the many wrong things you have done. Since your sins grew, I have done these actions to you.

16 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

*So, anyone who eats you up will also be eaten; all your enemies will be captured; those who destroy you will be destroyed too; and anyone who preys on you will become prey themselves.

17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

*For I will make you healthy again and fix your injuries, says the Lord, because they said you are not wanted, like Zion, whom nobody wants to find.

18 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

*So says the Lord: Look, I will return Jacob's captured homes and show kindness to where he lives. The city will be rebuilt on its original site, and the royal palace will stay as it was before.

19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

*From them will come thankfulness and joyful voices. I will increase their numbers so there are many of them. I will make them famous, so they won't be insignificant.

20 Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.

*Their kids will be like before, and their group will be strong before me. I will punish those who treat them badly.

21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

*Their leaders will come from within, and their ruler will be chosen from among them. I will bring them closer to me, and they will come near. Who is this that wants to come close to me?" asks the Lord.

22 And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

*You will be my people, and I will be your God.

23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.

*Look, the powerful storm sent by God is coming with anger, a never-ending storm: it will hurt the bad people on their heads.

24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

*The Lord's strong anger will not happen again until he finishes what he wants to do. In the future, you will think about this.

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