[1] The word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought. [2]
Judah mourns, and the gates of it languish, they sit in black on the
ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. [3] Their nobles send their
little ones to the waters: they come to the cisterns, and find no water;
they return with their vessels empty; they are put to shame and confounded,
and cover their heads. [4] Because of the ground which is cracked, because
no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame, they cover
their heads. [5] Yes, the hind also in the field calves, and forsakes [her
young], because there is no grass. [6] The wild donkeys stand on the bare
heights, they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is
no herbage. [7] Though our iniquities testify against us, work you for your
name`s sake, Yahweh; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against
you. [8] You hope of Israel, the Savior of it in the time of trouble, why
should you be as a sojourner in the land, and as a wayfaring man who turns
aside to stay for a night? [9] Why should you be like a scared man, as a
mighty man who can`t save? yet you, Yahweh, are in the midst of us, and we
are called by your name; don`t leave us. [10] Thus says Yahweh to this
people, Even so have they loved to wander; they have not refrained their
feet: therefore Yahweh does not accept them; now will he remember their
iniquity, and visit their sins. [11] Yahweh said to me, Don`t pray for this
people for [their] good. [12] When they fast, I will not hear their cry;
and when they offer burnt offering and meal-offering, I will not accept
them; but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the
pestilence. [13] Then said I, Ah, Lord Yahweh! behold, the prophets tell
them, You shall not see the sword, neither shall you have famine; but I
will give you assured peace in this place. [14] Then Yahweh said to me, The
prophets prophesy lies in my name; I didn`t send them, neither have I
commanded them, neither spoke I to them: they prophesy to you a lying
vision, and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own
heart. [15] Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the prophets who prophesy
in my name, and I didn`t send them, yet they say, Sword and famine shall
not be in this land: By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
[16] 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 on them. [17] You shall say this word to them,
Let my 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 wound. [18] If I go forth into the field, then, behold, the slain
with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then, behold, those who are
sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land,
and have no knowledge. [19] Have you utterly rejected Judah? has your soul
loathed Zion? why have you struck us, and there is no healing for us? We
looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and, behold,
dismay! [20] We acknowledge, Yahweh, our wickedness, and the iniquity of
our fathers; for we have sinned against you. [21] Do not abhor [us], for
your name`s sake; do not disgrace the throne of your glory: remember, don`t
break your covenant with us. [22] Are there any among the vanities of the
nations that can cause rain? or can the sky give showers? Aren`t you he,
Yahweh our God? therefore we will wait for you; for you have made all these
things.
