Jeremiah 15 / 52
- 1Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go!
- 2And if they ask you, 'Where shall we go?' tell them, 'This is what the LORD says: " 'Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.'
- 3"I will send four kinds of destroyers against them," declares the LORD , "the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.
- 4I will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.
- 5"Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem? Who will mourn for you? Who will stop to ask how you are?
- 6You have rejected me," declares the LORD . "You keep on backsliding. So I will lay hands on you and destroy you; I can no longer show compassion.
- 7I will winnow them with a winnowing fork at the city gates of the land. I will bring bereavement and destruction on my people, for they have not changed their ways.
- 8I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. At midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men; suddenly I will bring down on them anguish and terror.
- 9The mother of seven will grow faint and breathe her last. Her sun will set while it is still day; she will be disgraced and humiliated. I will put the survivors to the sword before their enemies," declares the LORD .
- 10Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth, a man with whom the whole land strives and contends! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.
- 11The LORD said, "Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and times of distress.
- 12"Can a man break iron- iron from the north-or bronze?
- 13Your wealth and your treasures I will give as plunder, without charge, because of all your sins throughout your country.
- 14I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for my anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you."
- 15You understand, O LORD ; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering-do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.
- 16When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.
- 17I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation.
- 18Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails?
- 19Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
- 20I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD .
- 21"I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel."