# verses

text:
<pb/>Now it came to pass after many days that the LORD said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the sash which I commanded you to hide there.”


text:
Then I went to the Euphrates and dug, and I took the sash from the place where I had hidden it; and there was the sash, ruined. It was profitable for nothing.


text:
“Thus says the LORD: ‘In this manner <f>[1†]</f>I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great <f>[2†]</f>pride of Jerusalem.


text:
This evil people, who <f>[3†]</f>refuse to hear My words, who <f>[4†]</f>follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing.


text:
For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the LORD, ‘that <f>[5†]</f>they may become My people, <f>[6†]</f>for renown, for praise, and for <f>[7†]</f>glory; but they would <f>[8†]</f>not hear.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore you shall speak to them this word: ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Every bottle shall be filled with wine.” ’ <pb/>And they will say to you, ‘Do we not certainly know that every bottle will be filled with wine?’


text:
<pb/>“Then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land—even the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem— <f>[9†]</f>with drunkenness!


text:
And <f>[10†]</f>I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together,” says the LORD. “I will not pity nor spare nor have mercy, but will destroy them.” ’ ”


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Give glory to the LORD your God </t><t>Before He causes <f>[12†]</f>darkness, </t><t>And before your feet stumble </t><t>On the dark mountains, </t><t>And while you are <f>[13†]</f>looking for light, </t><t>He turns it into <f>[14†]</f>the shadow of death </t><t><i>And</i> makes <i>it</i> dense darkness.</t>


text:
<t>But if you will not hear it, </t><t>My soul will <f>[15†]</f>weep in secret for <i>your</i> pride; </t><t>My eyes will weep bitterly </t><t>And run down with tears, </t><t>Because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.</t>


text:
<t>Say to <f>[16†]</f>the king and to the queen mother, </t><t>“Humble yourselves; </t><t>Sit down, </t><t>For your rule shall collapse, the crown of your glory.”</t>


text:
<t>The cities of the South shall be shut up, </t><t>And no one shall open <i>them;</i> </t><t>Judah shall be carried away captive, all of it; </t><t>It shall be wholly carried away captive.</t>


text:
<t>Lift up your eyes and see </t><t>Those who come from the <f>[17†]</f>north. </t><t>Where <i>is</i> the flock <i>that</i> was given to you, </t><t>Your beautiful sheep?</t>


text:
<t>What will you say when He punishes you? </t><t>For you have taught them </t><t><i>To</i> <i>be</i> chieftains, to be head over you. </t><t>Will not <f>[18†]</f>pangs seize you, </t><t>Like a woman in labor?</t>


text:
<t>And if you say in your heart, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>“Why have these things come upon me?” </t><t>For the greatness of your iniquity </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>Your skirts have been uncovered, </t><t>Your heels made bare.</t>


text:
<t>Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? </t><t><i>Then</i> may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore I will <f>[21†]</f>scatter them <f>[22†]</f>like stubble </t><t>That passes away by the wind of the wilderness.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[23†]</f>This is your lot, </t><t>The portion of your measures from Me,” says the LORD, </t><t>“Because you have forgotten Me </t><t>And trusted in <f>[24†]</f>falsehood.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore <f>[25†]</f>I will uncover your skirts over your face, </t><t>That your shame may appear.</t>


text:
<t>I have seen your adulteries </t><t>And your <i>lustful</i> <f>[26†]</f>neighings, </t><t>The lewdness of your harlotry, </t><t>Your abominations <f>[27†]</f>on the hills in the fields. </t><t>Woe to you, O Jerusalem! </t><t>Will you still not be made clean?”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“Judah mourns, </t><t>And <f>[1†]</f>her gates languish; </t><t>They <f>[2†]</f>mourn for the land, </t><t>And <f>[3†]</f>the cry of Jerusalem has gone up.</t>


text:
<t>Their nobles have sent their lads for water; </t><t>They went to the cisterns <i>and</i> found no water. </t><t>They returned with their vessels empty; </t><t>They were <f>[4†]</f>ashamed and confounded </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>And covered their heads.</t>


text:
<t>Because the ground is parched, </t><t>For there was <f>[6†]</f>no rain in the land, </t><t>The plowmen were ashamed; </t><t>They covered their heads.</t>


text:
<t>And <f>[7†]</f>the wild donkeys stood in the desolate heights; </t><t>They sniffed at the wind like jackals; </t><t>Their eyes failed because <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no grass.”</t>


text:
<t>O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, </t><t>Do it <f>[8†]</f>for Your name’s sake; </t><t>For our backslidings are many, </t><t>We have sinned against You.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>O the Hope of Israel, his Savior in time of trouble, </t><t>Why should You be like a stranger in the land, </t><t>And like a traveler <i>who</i> turns aside to tarry for a night?</t>


text:
<t>Why should You be like a man astonished, </t><t>Like a mighty one <f>[10†]</f><i>who</i> cannot save? </t><t>Yet You, O LORD, <f>[11†]</f><i>are</i> in our midst, </t><t>And we are called by Your name; </t><t>Do not leave us!</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD to this people: <pb/><t> <f>[12†]</f>“Thus they have loved to wander; </t><t>They have not restrained their feet. </t><t>Therefore the LORD does not accept them; </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>He will remember their iniquity now, </t><t>And punish their sins.”</t>


text:
<f>[15†]</f>When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and <f>[16†]</f>when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But <f>[17†]</f>I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[18†]</f>Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured <f>[19†]</f>peace in this place.’ ”


text:
<pb/>And the LORD said to me, <f>[20†]</f>“The prophets prophesy lies in My name. <f>[21†]</f>I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the <f>[22†]</f>deceit of their heart.


text:
Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, <f>[23†]</f>and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not be in this land’—‘By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed!


text:
And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; <f>[24†]</f>they will have no one to bury them—them nor their wives, their sons nor their daughters—for I will pour their wickedness on them.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore you shall say this word to them: <pb/><t> <f>[25†]</f>‘Let my eyes flow with tears night and day, </t><t>And let them not cease; </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>For the virgin daughter of my people </t><t>Has been broken with a mighty stroke, with a very severe blow.</t>


text:
<t>If I go out to <f>[27†]</f>the field, </t><t>Then behold, those slain with the sword! </t><t>And if I enter the city, </t><t>Then behold, those sick from famine! </t><t>Yes, both prophet and <f>[28†]</f>priest go about in a land they do not know.’ ”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[29†]</f>Have You utterly rejected Judah? </t><t>Has Your soul loathed Zion? </t><t>Why have You stricken us so that <f>[30†]</f><i>there</i> <i>is</i> no healing for us? </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>We looked for peace, but <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no good; </t><t>And for the time of healing, and there was trouble.</t>


text:
<t>We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness </t><t><i>And</i> the iniquity of our <f>[32†]</f>fathers, </t><t>For <f>[33†]</f>we have sinned against You.</t>


text:
<t>Do not abhor <i>us,</i> for Your name’s sake; </t><t>Do not disgrace the throne of Your glory. </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>Remember, do not break Your covenant with us.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[35†]</f>Are there any among <f>[36†]</f>the idols of the nations that can cause <f>[37†]</f>rain? </t><t>Or can the heavens give showers? </t><t> <f>[38†]</f><i>Are</i> You not He, O LORD our God? </t><t>Therefore we will wait for You, </t><t>Since You have made all these.</t>


text:
<pb/>Then the LORD said to me, <f>[1†]</f>“<i>Even</i> if <f>[2†]</f>Moses and <f>[3†]</f>Samuel stood before Me, My mind <i>would</i> not <i>be</i> favorable toward this people. Cast <i>them</i> out of My sight, and let them go forth.


text:
And it shall be, if they say to you, ‘Where should we go?’ then you shall tell them, ‘Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[4†]</f>“Such as <i>are</i> for death, to death; </t><t>And such as <i>are</i> for the sword, to the sword; </t><t>And such as <i>are</i> for the famine, to the famine; </t><t>And such as <i>are</i> for the <f>[5†]</f>captivity, to the captivity.” ’</t>


text:
<pb/>“And I will <f>[6†]</f>appoint over them four forms <i>of</i> <i>destruction,</i>” says the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, <f>[7†]</f>the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.


text:
I will hand them over to <f>[8†]</f>trouble, to all kingdoms of the earth, because of <f>[9†]</f>Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/><t>“For who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem? </t><t>Or who will bemoan you? </t><t>Or who will turn aside to ask how you are doing?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>You have forsaken Me,” says the LORD, </t><t>“You have <f>[11†]</f>gone backward. </t><t>Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>I am weary of relenting!</t>


text:
<t>And I will winnow them with a winnowing fan in the gates of the land; </t><t>I will <f>[13†]</f>bereave <i>them</i> of children; </t><t>I will destroy My people, </t><t><i>Since</i> they <f>[14†]</f>do not return from their ways.</t>


text:
<t>Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas; </t><t>I will bring against them, </t><t>Against the mother of the young men, </t><t>A plunderer at noonday; </t><t>I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them <f>[15†]</f>suddenly.</t>


text:
<t>“She <f>[16†]</f> languishes who has borne seven; </t><t>She has breathed her last; </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Her sun has gone down </t><t>While <i>it</i> <i>was</i> yet day; </t><t>She has been ashamed and confounded. </t><t>And the remnant of them I will deliver to the sword </t><t>Before their enemies,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>Woe is me, my mother, </t><t>That you have borne me, </t><t>A man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! </t><t>I have neither lent for interest, </t><t>Nor have men lent to me for interest. </t><t>Every one of them curses me.</t>


text:
<pb/>The LORD said: <pb/><t>“Surely it will be well with your remnant; </t><t>Surely I will cause <f>[19†]</f>the enemy to intercede with you </t><t>In the time of adversity and in the time of affliction.</t>


text:
<t>Your wealth and your treasures </t><t>I will give as <f>[20†]</f>plunder without price, </t><t>Because of all your sins, </t><t>Throughout your territories.</t>


text:
<t>And I will make <i>you</i> cross over with your enemies </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>Into a land <i>which</i> you do not know; </t><t>For a <f>[22†]</f>fire is kindled in My anger, </t><t><i>Which</i> shall burn upon you.”</t>


text:
<t>O LORD, <f>[23†]</f>You know; </t><t>Remember me and visit me, </t><t>And <f>[24†]</f>take vengeance for me on my persecutors. </t><t>In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. </t><t>Know that <f>[25†]</f>for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.</t>


text:
<t>Your words were found, and I <f>[26†]</f>ate them, </t><t>And <f>[27†]</f>Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; </t><t>For I am called by Your name, </t><t>O LORD God of hosts.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[28†]</f>I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, </t><t>Nor did I rejoice; </t><t>I sat alone because of Your hand, </t><t>For You have filled me with indignation.</t>


text:
<t>Why is my <f>[29†]</f>pain perpetual </t><t>And my wound incurable, </t><t><i>Which</i> refuses to be healed? </t><t>Will You surely be to me <f>[30†]</f>like an unreliable stream, </t><t><i>As</i> waters <i>that</i> fail?</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[31†]</f>“If you return, </t><t>Then I will bring you back; </t><t>You shall <f>[32†]</f>stand before Me; </t><t>If you <f>[33†]</f>take out the precious from the vile, </t><t>You shall be as My mouth. </t><t>Let them return to you, </t><t>But you must not return to them.</t>


text:
<t>And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze <f>[34†]</f>wall; </t><t>And they will fight against you, </t><t>But <f>[35†]</f>they shall not prevail against you; </t><t>For I <i>am</i> with you to save you </t><t>And deliver you,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, </t><t>And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.”</t>


text:
For thus says the LORD concerning the sons and daughters who are born in this place, and concerning their mothers who bore them and their fathers who begot them in this land:


text:
“They shall die <f>[1†]</f>gruesome deaths; they shall not be <f>[2†]</f>lamented nor shall they be <f>[3†]</f>buried, <i>but</i> they shall be <f>[4†]</f>like refuse on the face of the earth. They shall be consumed by the sword and by famine, and their <f>[5†]</f>corpses shall be meat for the birds of heaven and for the beasts of the earth.”


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD: <f>[6†]</f>“Do not enter the house of mourning, nor go to lament or bemoan them; for I have taken away My peace from this people,” says the LORD, “lovingkindness and mercies.


text:
Both the great and the small shall die in this land. They shall not be buried; <f>[7†]</f>neither shall men lament for them, <f>[8†]</f>cut themselves, nor <f>[9†]</f>make themselves bald for them.


text:
Nor shall <i>men</i> break <i>bread</i> in mourning for them, to comfort them for the dead; nor shall <i>men</i> give them the cup of consolation to <f>[10†]</f>drink for their father or their mother.


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, <f>[11†]</f>I will cause to cease from this place, before your eyes and in your days, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.


text:
<pb/>“And it shall be, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you, <f>[12†]</f>‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? Or what <i>is</i> our iniquity? Or what <i>is</i> our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’


text:
then you shall say to them, <f>[13†]</f>‘Because your fathers have forsaken Me,’ says the LORD; ‘they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My law.


text:
And you have done <f>[14†]</f>worse than your fathers, for behold, <f>[15†]</f>each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>Therefore I will cast you out of this land <f>[17†]</f>into a land that you do not know, neither you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other gods day and night, where I will not show you favor.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore behold, the <f>[18†]</f>days are coming,” says the LORD, “that it shall no more be said, ‘The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’


text:
but, ‘The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the <f>[19†]</f>north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For <f>[20†]</f>I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.


text:
<pb/>“Behold, I will send for many <f>[21†]</f>fishermen,” says the LORD, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.


text:
For My <f>[22†]</f>eyes <i>are</i> on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes.


text:
And first I will repay <f>[23†]</f>double for their iniquity and their sin, because <f>[24†]</f>they have defiled My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable idols.”


text:
<pb/><t>O LORD, <f>[25†]</f>my strength and my fortress, </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>My refuge in the day of affliction, </t><t>The Gentiles shall come to You </t><t>From the ends of the earth and say, </t><t>“Surely our fathers have inherited lies, </t><t>Worthlessness and <f>[27†]</f>unprofitable <i>things.</i>”</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know, </t><t>I will cause them to know </t><t>My hand and My might; </t><t>And they shall know that <f>[29†]</f>My name <i>is</i> the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“The sin of Judah <i>is</i> <f>[1†]</f>written with a <f>[2†]</f>pen of iron; </t><t>With the point of a diamond <i>it</i> <i>is</i> <f>[3†]</f>engraved </t><t>On the tablet of their heart, </t><t>And on the horns of your altars,</t>


text:
<t>While their children remember </t><t>Their altars and their <f>[4†]</f>wooden images </t><t>By the green trees on the high hills.</t>


text:
<t>O My mountain in the field, </t><t>I will give as plunder your wealth, all your treasures, </t><t><i>And</i> your high places of sin within all your borders.</t>


text:
<t>And you, even yourself, </t><t>Shall let go of your heritage which I gave you; </t><t>And I will cause you to serve your enemies </t><t>In <f>[5†]</f>the land which you do not know; </t><t>For <f>[6†]</f>you have kindled a fire in My anger <i>which</i> shall burn forever.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[7†]</f>“Cursed <i>is</i> the man who trusts in man </t><t>And makes <f>[8†]</f>flesh his strength, </t><t>Whose heart departs from the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>For he shall be <f>[9†]</f>like a shrub in the desert, </t><t>And <f>[10†]</f>shall not see when good comes, </t><t>But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f><i>In</i> a salt land <i>which</i> <i>is</i> not inhabited.</t>


text:
<t>“Blessed <f>[12†]</f> <i>is</i> the man who trusts in the LORD, </t><t>And whose hope is the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>For he shall be <f>[13†]</f>like a tree planted by the waters, </t><t>Which spreads out its roots by the river, </t><t>And will not fear when heat comes; </t><t>But its leaf will be green, </t><t>And will not be anxious in the year of drought, </t><t>Nor will cease from yielding fruit.</t>


text:
<t>“The <f>[14†]</f>heart <i>is</i> deceitful above all <i>things,</i> </t><t>And desperately wicked; </t><t>Who can know it?</t>


text:
<t>I, the LORD, <f>[15†]</f>search the heart, </t><t><i>I</i> test the mind, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Even to give every man according to his ways, </t><t>According to the fruit of his doings.</t>


text:
<t>“<i>As</i> a partridge that broods but does not hatch, </t><t><i>So</i> <i>is</i> he who gets riches, but not by right; </t><t>It <f>[17†]</f>will leave him in the midst of his days, </t><t>And at his end he will be <f>[18†]</f>a fool.”</t>


text:
<t>O LORD, <f>[19†]</f>the hope of Israel, </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>All who forsake You shall be ashamed. </t><t>“Those who depart from Me </t><t>Shall be <f>[21†]</f>written in the earth, </t><t>Because they have forsaken the LORD, </t><t>The <f>[22†]</f>fountain of living waters.”</t>


text:
<t>Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; </t><t>Save me, and I shall be saved, </t><t>For <f>[23†]</f>You <i>are</i> my praise.</t>


text:
<t>Indeed they say to me, </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>“Where <i>is</i> the word of the LORD? </t><t>Let it come now!”</t>


text:
<t>As for me, <f>[25†]</f>I have not hurried away from <i>being</i> a shepherd <i>who</i> follows You, </t><t>Nor have I desired the woeful day; </t><t>You know what came out of my lips; </t><t>It was right there before You.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[27†]</f>Let them be ashamed who persecute me, </t><t>But <f>[28†]</f>do not let me be put to shame; </t><t>Let them be dismayed, </t><t>But do not let me be dismayed. </t><t>Bring on them the day of doom, </t><t>And <f>[29†]</f>destroy them with double destruction!</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus the LORD said to me: “Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;


text:
and say to them, <f>[30†]</f>‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates.


text:
Thus says the LORD: <f>[31†]</f>“Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring <i>it</i> in by the gates of Jerusalem;


text:
nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I <f>[32†]</f>commanded your fathers.


text:
<f>[33†]</f>But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction.


text:
<pb/>“And it shall be, <f>[34†]</f>if you heed Me carefully,” says the LORD, “to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the <f>[35†]</f>Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it,


text:
<f>[36†]</f>then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever.


text:
And they shall come from the cities of Judah and from <f>[37†]</f>the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from <f>[38†]</f>the lowland, from the mountains and from <f>[39†]</f>the South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, bringing <f>[40†]</f>sacrifices of praise to the house of the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then <f>[41†]</f>I will kindle a fire in its gates, <f>[42†]</f>and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be <f>[43†]</f>quenched.” ’ ”


text:
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.


text:
“O house of Israel, <f>[1†]</f>can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, <f>[2†]</f>as the clay <i>is</i> in the potter’s hand, so <i>are</i> you in My hand, O house of Israel!


text:
The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to <f>[3†]</f>pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy <i>it,</i>


text:
<f>[4†]</f>if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, <f>[5†]</f>I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.


text:
And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant <i>it,</i>


text:
if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.


text:
<pb/>“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. <f>[6†]</f>Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings <f>[7†]</f>good.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>And they said, <f>[8†]</f>“That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the <f>[9†]</f>dictates of his evil heart.”


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[10†]</f>“Ask now among the Gentiles, </t><t>Who has heard such things? </t><t>The virgin of Israel has done <f>[11†]</f>a very horrible thing.</t>


text:
<t>Will <i>a</i> <i>man</i> leave the snow water of Lebanon, </t><t><i>Which</i> <i>comes</i> from the rock of the field? </t><t>Will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters?</t>


text:
<t>“Because My people have forgotten <f>[12†]</f>Me, </t><t>They have burned incense to worthless idols. </t><t>And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, </t><t><i>From</i> the <f>[13†]</f>ancient paths, </t><t>To walk in pathways and not on a highway,</t>


text:
<t>To make their land <f>[14†]</f>desolate <i>and</i> a perpetual <f>[15†]</f>hissing; </t><t>Everyone who passes by it will be astonished </t><t>And shake his head.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[16†]</f>I will scatter them <f>[17†]</f>as with an east wind before the enemy; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>I will show them the back and not the face </t><t>In the day of their calamity.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then they said, <f>[19†]</f>“Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah; <f>[20†]</f>for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.”


text:
<t> <f>[21†]</f>Shall evil be repaid for good? </t><t>For they have <f>[22†]</f>dug a pit for my life. </t><t>Remember that I <f>[23†]</f>stood before You </t><t>To speak good for them, </t><t>To turn away Your wrath from them.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore <f>[24†]</f>deliver up their children to the famine, </t><t>And pour out their <i>blood</i> </t><t>By the force of the sword; </t><t>Let their wives <i>become</i> widows </t><t>And <f>[25†]</f>bereaved of their children. </t><t>Let their men be put to death, </t><t>Their young men <i>be</i> slain </t><t>By the sword in battle.</t>


text:
<t>Let a cry be heard from their houses, </t><t>When You bring a troop suddenly upon them; </t><t>For they have dug a pit to take me, </t><t>And hidden snares for my feet.</t>


text:
<t>Yet, LORD, You know all their counsel </t><t>Which is against me, to slay <i>me.</i> </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>Provide no atonement for their iniquity, </t><t>Nor blot out their sin from Your sight; </t><t>But let them be overthrown before You. </t><t>Deal <i>thus</i> with them </t><t>In the time of Your <f>[27†]</f>anger.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: “Go and get a potter’s earthen flask, and <i>take</i> some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests.


text:
And go out to <f>[1†]</f>the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which <i>is</i> by the entry of the Potsherd Gate; and proclaim there the words that I will tell you,


text:
<f>[2†]</f>and say, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring such a catastrophe on this place, that whoever hears of it, his ears will <f>[3†]</f>tingle.


text:
<pb/>“Because they <f>[4†]</f>have forsaken Me and made this an alien place, because they have burned incense in it to other gods whom neither they, their fathers, nor the kings of Judah have known, and have filled this place with <f>[5†]</f>the blood of the innocents


text:
<f>[6†]</f>(they have also built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire <i>for</i> burnt offerings to Baal, <f>[7†]</f>which I did not command or speak, nor did it come into My mind),


text:
therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that this place shall no more be called Tophet or <f>[8†]</f>the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.


text:
And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place, <f>[9†]</f>and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hands of those who seek their lives; their <f>[10†]</f>corpses I will give as meat for the birds of the heaven and for the beasts of the earth.


text:
I will make this city <f>[11†]</f>desolate and a hissing; everyone who passes by it will be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues.


text:
And I will cause them to eat the <f>[12†]</f>flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and everyone shall eat the flesh of his friend in the siege and in the desperation with which their enemies and those who seek their lives shall drive them to despair.” ’


text:
and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: <f>[14†]</f>“Even so I will break this people and this city, as <i>one</i> breaks a potter’s vessel, which cannot be made whole again; and they shall <f>[15†]</f>bury <i>them</i> in Tophet till <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no place to bury.


text:
Thus I will do to this place,” says the LORD, “and to its inhabitants, and make this city like Tophet.


text:
And the houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah shall be defiled <f>[16†]</f>like the place of Tophet, because of all the houses on whose <f>[17†]</f>roofs they have burned incense to all the host of heaven, and <f>[18†]</f>poured out drink offerings to other gods.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>Then Jeremiah came from Tophet, where the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in <f>[19†]</f>the court of the Lord’s house and said to all the people,


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because <f>[20†]</f>they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>Pashhur the son of <f>[2†]</f>Immer, the priest who <i>was</i> also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.


text:
Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that <i>were</i> in the high <f>[3†]</f>gate of Benjamin, which <i>was</i> by the house of the LORD.


text:
<pb/>And it happened on the next day that Pashhur brought Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, “The LORD has not called your name Pashhur, but Magor-Missabib.


text:
For thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see <i>it.</i> I will <f>[4†]</f>give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon and slay them with the sword.


text:
Moreover I <f>[5†]</f>will deliver all the wealth of this city, all its produce, and all its precious things; all the treasures of the kings of Judah I will give into the hand of their enemies, who will plunder them, seize them, and <f>[6†]</f>carry them to Babylon.


text:
And you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house, shall go into captivity. You shall go to Babylon, and there you shall die, and be buried there, you and all your friends, to whom you have <f>[7†]</f>prophesied lies.’ ”


text:
<pb/><t>O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded; </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>I am in derision daily; </t><t>Everyone mocks me.</t>


text:
<t>For when I spoke, I cried out; </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>I shouted, “Violence and plunder!” </t><t>Because the word of the LORD was made to me </t><t>A reproach and a derision daily.</t>


text:
<t>Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, </t><t>Nor speak anymore in His name.” </t><t>But <i>His</i> <i>word</i> was in my heart like a <f>[11†]</f>burning fire </t><t>Shut up in my bones; </t><t>I was weary of holding <i>it</i> back, </t><t>And <f>[12†]</f>I could not.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>For I heard many mocking: </t><t>“Fear on every side!” </t><t>“Report,” <i>they</i> <i>say,</i> “and we will report it!” </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, <i>saying,</i> </t><t>“Perhaps he can be induced; </t><t>Then we will prevail against him, </t><t>And we will take our revenge on him.”</t>


text:
<t>But the LORD <i>is</i> <f>[15†]</f>with me as a mighty, awesome One. </t><t>Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not <f>[16†]</f>prevail. </t><t>They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. </t><t><i>Their</i> <f>[17†]</f>everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.</t>


text:
<t>But, O LORD of hosts, </t><t>You who <f>[18†]</f>test the righteous, </t><t><i>And</i> see the mind and heart, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>Let me see Your vengeance on them; </t><t>For I have pleaded my cause before You.</t>


text:
<t>Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! </t><t>For <f>[20†]</f>He has delivered the life of the poor </t><t>From the hand of evildoers.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[21†]</f>Cursed <i>be</i> the day in which I was born! </t><t>Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me!</t>


text:
<t>Let the man <i>be</i> cursed </t><t>Who brought news to my father, saying, </t><t>“A male child has been born to you!” </t><t>Making him very glad.</t>


text:
<t>And let that man be like the cities </t><t>Which the LORD <f>[22†]</f>overthrew, and did not relent; </t><t>Let him <f>[23†]</f>hear the cry in the morning </t><t>And the shouting at noon,</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>Because he did not kill me from the womb, </t><t>That my mother might have been my grave, </t><t>And her womb always enlarged <i>with</i> <i>me.</i></t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>Why did I come forth from the womb to <f>[26†]</f>see labor and sorrow, </t><t>That my days should be consumed with shame?</t>


text:
<pb/>The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD when <f>[1†]</f>King Zedekiah sent to him <f>[2†]</f>Pashhur the son of Melchiah, and <f>[3†]</f>Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, saying,


text:
<f>[4†]</f>“Please inquire of the LORD for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all His wonderful works, that <i>the</i> <i>king</i> may go away from us.”


text:
‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that <i>are</i> in your hands, with which you fight against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the walls; and <f>[5†]</f>I will assemble them in the midst of this city.


text:
I <f>[6†]</f>Myself will fight against you with an <f>[7†]</f>outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger and fury and great wrath.


text:
I will strike the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast; they shall die of a great pestilence.


text:
And afterward,” says the LORD, <f>[8†]</f>“I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence and the sword and the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life; and he shall strike them with the edge of the sword. <f>[9†]</f>He shall not spare them, or have pity or mercy.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, <f>[10†]</f>I set before you the way of life and the way of death.


text:
He who <f>[11†]</f>remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall <f>[12†]</f>live, and his life shall be as a prize to him.


text:
For I have <f>[13†]</f>set My face against this city for adversity and not for good,” says the LORD. <f>[14†]</f>“It shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall <f>[15†]</f>burn it with fire.” ’


text:
O house of David! Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[16†]</f>“Execute judgment <f>[17†]</f>in the morning; </t><t>And deliver <i>him</i> <i>who</i> <i>is</i> plundered </t><t>Out of the hand of the oppressor, </t><t>Lest My fury go forth like fire </t><t>And burn so that no one can quench <i>it,</i> </t><t>Because of the evil of your doings.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[18†]</f>I <i>am</i> against you, O inhabitant of the valley, </t><t><i>And</i> rock of the plain,” says the LORD, </t><t>“Who say, <f>[19†]</f>‘Who shall come down against us? </t><t>Or who shall enter our dwellings?’</t>


text:
<t>But I will punish you according to the <f>[20†]</f>fruit of your doings,” says the LORD; </t><t>“I will kindle a fire in its forest, </t><t>And <f>[21†]</f>it shall devour all things around it.” ’ ”</t>


text:
and say, <f>[1†]</f>‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David, you and your servants and your people who enter these gates!


text:
Thus says the LORD: <f>[2†]</f>“Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the <f>[3†]</f>fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.


text:
For if you indeed do this thing, <f>[4†]</f>then shall enter the gates of this house, riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people, kings who sit on the throne of David.


text:
But if you will not hear these words, <f>[5†]</f>I swear by Myself,” says the LORD, “that this house shall become a desolation.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD to the house of the king of Judah: <pb/><t>“You <i>are</i> <f>[6†]</f>Gilead to Me, </t><t>The head of Lebanon; </t><t><i>Yet</i> I surely will make you a wilderness, </t><t>Cities <i>which</i> are not inhabited.</t>


text:
<t>I will prepare destroyers against you, </t><t>Everyone with his weapons; </t><t>They shall cut down <f>[7†]</f>your choice cedars </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>And cast <i>them</i> into the fire.</t>


text:
<pb/>And many nations will pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, <f>[9†]</f>‘Why has the LORD done so to this great city?’


text:
Then they will answer, <f>[10†]</f>‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshiped other gods and served them.’ ”


text:
<pb/><t>Weep not for <f>[11†]</f>the dead, nor bemoan him; </t><t>Weep bitterly for him <f>[12†]</f>who goes away, </t><t>For he shall return no more, </t><t>Nor see his native country.</t>


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD concerning <f>[13†]</f>Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, <f>[14†]</f>who went from this place: “He shall not return here anymore,


text:
<pb/><t>“Woe <f>[15†]</f> to him who builds his house by unrighteousness </t><t>And his chambers by injustice, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f><i>Who</i> uses his neighbor’s service without wages </t><t>And gives him nothing for his work,</t>


text:
<t>Who says, ‘I will build myself a wide house with spacious chambers, </t><t>And cut out windows for it, </t><t>Paneling <i>it</i> with cedar </t><t>And painting <i>it</i> with vermilion.’</t>


text:
<t>“Shall you reign because you enclose <i>yourself</i> in cedar? </t><t>Did not your father eat and drink, </t><t>And do justice and righteousness? </t><t>Then <f>[17†]</f><i>it</i> <i>was</i> well with him.</t>


text:
<t>He judged the cause of the poor and needy; </t><t>Then <i>it</i> <i>was</i> well. </t><t><i>Was</i> not this knowing Me?” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Yet <f>[18†]</f> your eyes and your heart <i>are</i> for nothing but your covetousness, </t><t>For shedding innocent blood, </t><t>And practicing oppression and violence.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: <pb/><t> <f>[19†]</f>“They shall not lament for him, </t><t><i>Saying,</i> <f>[20†]</f>‘Alas, my brother!’ or ‘Alas, my sister!’ </t><t>They shall not lament for him, </t><t><i>Saying,</i> ‘Alas, master!’ or ‘Alas, his glory!’</t>


text:
<t> <f>[21†]</f>He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey, </t><t>Dragged and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<t>“Go up to Lebanon, and cry out, </t><t>And lift up your voice in Bashan; </t><t>Cry from Abarim, </t><t>For all your lovers are destroyed.</t>


text:
<t>I spoke to you in your prosperity, </t><t><i>But</i> you said, ‘I will not hear.’ </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>This <i>has</i> <i>been</i> your manner from your youth, </t><t>That you did not obey My voice.</t>


text:
<t>The wind shall eat up all <f>[23†]</f>your rulers, </t><t>And your lovers shall go into captivity; </t><t>Surely then you will be ashamed and humiliated </t><t>For all your wickedness.</t>


text:
<t>O inhabitant of Lebanon, </t><t>Making your nest in the cedars, </t><t>How gracious will you be when pangs come upon you, </t><t>Like <f>[24†]</f>the pain of a woman in labor?</t>


text:
<pb/>“<i>As</i> I live,” says the LORD, <f>[25†]</f>“though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, <f>[26†]</f>were the signet on My right hand, yet I would pluck you off;


text:
<f>[27†]</f>and I will give you into the hand of those who seek your life, and into the hand <i>of</i> <i>those</i> whose face you fear—the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the hand of the Chaldeans.


text:
<f>[28†]</f>So I will cast you out, and your mother who bore you, into another country where you were not born; and there you shall die.


text:
<pb/><t>“Is this man Coniah a despised, broken idol— </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>A vessel in which <i>is</i> no pleasure? </t><t>Why are they cast out, he and his descendants, </t><t>And cast into a land which they do not know?</t>


text:
<t>Thus says the LORD: </t><t>‘Write this man down as <f>[31†]</f>childless, </t><t>A man <i>who</i> shall not prosper in his days; </t><t>For <f>[32†]</f>none of his descendants shall prosper, </t><t>Sitting on the throne of David, </t><t>And ruling anymore in Judah.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>“Woe <f>[1†]</f>to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD.


text:
Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. <f>[2†]</f>Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD.


text:
“But <f>[3†]</f>I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.


text:
I will set up <f>[4†]</f>shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD.


text:
<pb/><t>“Behold, <f>[5†]</f><i>the</i> days are coming,” says the LORD, </t><t>“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; </t><t>A King shall reign and prosper, </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>In His days Judah will be saved, </t><t>And Israel <f>[8†]</f>will dwell safely; </t><t>Now <f>[9†]</f>this <i>is</i> His name by which He will be called: </t> <pb/>THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore, behold, <f>[10†]</f><i>the</i> days are coming,” says the LORD, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’


text:
but, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country <f>[11†]</f>and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own <f>[12†]</f>land.”


text:
<pb/><t>My heart within me is broken </t><t>Because of the prophets; </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>All my bones shake. </t><t>I am like a drunken man, </t><t>And like a man whom wine has overcome, </t><t>Because of the LORD, </t><t>And because of His holy words.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[14†]</f>the land is full of adulterers; </t><t>For <f>[15†]</f>because of a curse the land mourns. </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>The pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up. </t><t>Their course of life is evil, </t><t>And their might <i>is</i> not right.</t>


text:
<t>“For <f>[17†]</f>both prophet and priest are profane; </t><t>Yes, <f>[18†]</f>in My house I have found their wickedness,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore <f>[19†]</f> their way shall be to them </t><t>Like slippery <i>ways;</i> </t><t>In the darkness they shall be driven on </t><t>And fall in them; </t><t>For I <f>[20†]</f>will bring disaster on them, </t><t>The year of their punishment,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>They prophesied by Baal </t><t>And <f>[22†]</f>caused My people Israel to err.</t>


text:
<t>Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>They commit adultery and walk in lies; </t><t>They also <f>[24†]</f>strengthen the hands of evildoers, </t><t>So that no one turns back from his wickedness. </t><t>All of them are like <f>[25†]</f>Sodom to Me, </t><t>And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: <pb/><t>‘Behold, I will feed them with <f>[26†]</f>wormwood, </t><t>And make them drink the water of gall; </t><t>For from the prophets of Jerusalem </t><t>Profaneness has gone out into all the land.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. </t><t>They make you worthless; </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>They speak a vision of their own heart, </t><t>Not from the mouth of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>They continually say to those who despise Me, </t><t>‘The LORD has said, <f>[28†]</f>“You shall have peace” ’; </t><t>And <i>to</i> everyone who <f>[29†]</f>walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, </t><t> <f>[30†]</f>‘No evil shall come upon you.’ ”</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[31†]</f>who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, </t><t>And has perceived and heard His word? </t><t>Who has marked His word and heard <i>it?</i></t>


text:
<t>Behold, a <f>[32†]</f>whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury— </t><t>A violent whirlwind! </t><t>It will fall violently on the head of the wicked.</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[33†]</f>anger of the LORD will not turn back </t><t>Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>In the latter days you will understand it perfectly.</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[35†]</f> have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. </t><t>I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.</t>


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<t>But if they had stood in My counsel, </t><t>And had caused My people to hear My words, </t><t>Then they would have <f>[36†]</f>turned them from their evil way </t><t>And from the evil of their doings.</t>


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<t>Can anyone <f>[37†]</f>hide himself in secret places, </t><t>So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; </t><t> <f>[38†]</f>“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’


text:
How long will <i>this</i> be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed <i>they</i> <i>are</i> prophets of the deceit of their own heart,


text:
who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, <f>[39†]</f>as their fathers forgot My name for Baal.


text:
<pb/><t>“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; </t><t>And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. </t><t>What <i>is</i> the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“<i>Is</i> not My word like a <f>[40†]</f>fire?” says the LORD, </t><t>“And like a hammer <i>that</i> breaks the rock in pieces?</t>


text:
<pb/>“Therefore behold, <f>[41†]</f>I <i>am</i> against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor.


text:
Behold, I <i>am</i> <f>[42†]</f>against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’


text:
Behold, I <i>am</i> against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their <f>[43†]</f>lies and by <f>[44†]</f>their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not <f>[45†]</f>profit this people at all,” says the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“So when these people or the prophet or the priest ask you, saying, ‘What is <f>[46†]</f>the oracle of the LORD?’ you shall then say to them, ‘What oracle?’ I will even forsake you,” says the LORD.


text:
“And <i>as</i> <i>for</i> the prophet and the priest and the people who say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ I will even punish that man and his house.


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Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, ‘What has the LORD answered?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’


text:
And the oracle of the LORD you shall mention no more. For every man’s word will be his oracle, for you have <f>[47†]</f>perverted the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God.


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Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’


text:
But since you say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the LORD!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ ”


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therefore behold, I, even I, <f>[48†]</f>will utterly forget you and forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and <i>will</i> <i>cast</i> <i>you</i> out of My presence.


text:
And I will bring <f>[49†]</f>an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual <f>[50†]</f>shame, which shall not be forgotten.’ ”


text:
<pb/>The <f>[1†]</f>LORD showed me, and there were two baskets of figs set before the temple of the LORD, after Nebuchadnezzar <f>[2†]</f>king of Babylon had carried away captive <f>[3†]</f>Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.


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One basket <i>had</i> very good figs, like the figs <i>that</i> <i>are</i> first ripe; and the other basket <i>had</i> very bad figs which could not be eaten, they were so <f>[4†]</f>bad.


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Then the LORD said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” <pb/>And I said, “Figs, the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad.”


text:
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge those who are carried away captive from Judah, whom I have sent out of this place for <i>their</i> <i>own</i> good, into the land of the Chaldeans.


text:
For I will set My eyes on them for good, and <f>[5†]</f>I will bring them back to this land; <f>[6†]</f>I will build them and not pull <i>them</i> down, and I will plant them and not pluck <i>them</i> up.


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Then I will give them <f>[7†]</f>a heart to know Me, that I <i>am</i> the LORD; and they shall be <f>[8†]</f>My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me <f>[9†]</f>with their whole heart.


text:
<pb/>‘And as the bad <f>[10†]</f>figs which cannot be eaten, they are so bad’—surely thus says the LORD—‘so will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, his princes, the <f>[11†]</f>residue of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and <f>[12†]</f>those who dwell in the land of Egypt.


text:
I will deliver them to <f>[13†]</f>trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for <i>their</i> harm, <f>[14†]</f><i>to</i> <i>be</i> a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them.


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And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.’ ”


text:
<pb/>The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, <f>[1†]</f>in the fourth year of <f>[2†]</f>Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (which <i>was</i> the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon),


text:
which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying:


text:
<f>[3†]</f>“From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, this <i>is</i> the twenty-third year in which the word of the LORD has come to me; and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, <f>[4†]</f>but you have not listened.


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And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets, <f>[5†]</f>rising early and sending <i>them,</i> but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear.


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They said, <f>[6†]</f>‘Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever.


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Do not go after other gods to serve them and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will not harm you.’


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Yet you have not listened to Me,” says the LORD, “that you might <f>[7†]</f>provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.


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behold, I will send and take <f>[8†]</f>all the families of the north,’ says the LORD, ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, <f>[9†]</f>My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and <f>[10†]</f>make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations.


text:
Moreover I will take from them the <f>[11†]</f>voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, <f>[12†]</f>the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.


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And this whole land shall be a desolation <i>and</i> an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy <f>[13†]</f>years.


text:
<pb/>‘Then it will come to pass, <f>[14†]</f>when seventy years are completed, <i>that</i> I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,’ says the LORD; <f>[15†]</f>‘and I will make it a perpetual desolation.


text:
So I will bring on that land all My words which I have pronounced against it, all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied concerning all the nations.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>(For many nations <f>[17†]</f>and great kings shall <f>[18†]</f>be served by them also; <f>[19†]</f>and I will repay them according to their deeds and according to the works of their own hands.)’ ”


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<pb/>For thus says the LORD God of Israel to me: “Take this <f>[20†]</f>wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it.


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And <f>[21†]</f>they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.”


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<pb/>Then I took the cup from the LORD’s hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the LORD had sent me:


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Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and its princes, to make them <f>[22†]</f>a desolation, an astonishment, a hissing, and <f>[23†]</f>a curse, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day;


text:
all the mixed multitude, all the kings of <f>[24†]</f>the land of Uz, all the kings of the land of the <f>[25†]</f>Philistines (namely, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and <f>[26†]</f>the remnant of Ashdod);


text:
all the kings of <f>[28†]</f>Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coastlands which <i>are</i> across the <f>[29†]</f>sea;


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all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the <f>[31†]</f>mixed multitude who dwell in the desert;


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all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of <f>[32†]</f>Elam, and all the kings of the <f>[33†]</f>Medes;


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<f>[34†]</f>all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world which <i>are</i> on the face of the earth. Also the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: <f>[35†]</f>“Drink, <f>[36†]</f>be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.” ’


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And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “You shall certainly drink!


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For behold, <f>[37†]</f>I begin to bring calamity on the city <f>[38†]</f>which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for <f>[39†]</f>I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the LORD of hosts.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore prophesy against them all these words, and say to them: <pb/><t>‘The LORD will <f>[40†]</f>roar from on high, </t><t>And utter His voice from <f>[41†]</f>His holy habitation; </t><t>He will roar mightily against <f>[42†]</f>His fold. </t><t>He will give <f>[43†]</f>a shout, as those who tread <i>the</i> <i>grapes,</i> </t><t>Against all the inhabitants of the earth.</t>


text:
<t>A noise will come to the ends of the earth— </t><t>For the LORD has <f>[44†]</f>a controversy with the nations; </t><t> <f>[45†]</f>He will plead His case with all flesh. </t><t>He will give those <i>who</i> <i>are</i> wicked to the sword,’ says the LORD.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>“Behold, disaster shall go forth </t><t>From nation to nation, </t><t>And <f>[46†]</f>a great whirlwind shall be raised up </t><t>From the farthest parts of the earth.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[47†]</f>And at that day the slain of the LORD shall be from <i>one</i> end of the earth even to the <i>other</i> end of the earth. They shall not be <f>[48†]</f>lamented, <f>[49†]</f>or gathered, or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground.


text:
<pb/><t>“Wail, <f>[50†]</f> shepherds, and cry! </t><t>Roll about <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>ashes,</i> </t><t>You leaders of the flock! </t><t>For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are fulfilled; </t><t>You shall fall like a precious vessel.</t>


text:
<t>A voice of the cry of the shepherds, </t><t>And a wailing of the leaders to the flock <i>will</i> <i>be</i> <i>heard.</i> </t><t>For the LORD has plundered their pasture,</t>


text:
<t>He has left His lair like the lion; </t><t>For their land is desolate </t><t>Because of the fierceness of the Oppressor, </t><t>And because of His fierce anger.”</t>


text:
<pb/>In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in <f>[1†]</f>the court of the LORD’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship <i>in</i> the LORD’s house, <f>[2†]</f>all the words that I command you to speak to them. <f>[3†]</f>Do not diminish a word.


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<f>[4†]</f>Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may <f>[5†]</f>relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.’


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And you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: <f>[6†]</f>“If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you,


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to heed the words of My servants the prophets <f>[7†]</f>whom I sent to you, both rising up early and sending <i>them</i> (but you have not heeded),


text:
then I will make this house like <f>[8†]</f>Shiloh, and will make this city <f>[9†]</f>a curse to all the nations of the earth.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.


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Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded <i>him</i> to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You will surely die!


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Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be <f>[10†]</f>desolate, without an inhabitant’?” And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.


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<pb/>When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the LORD and sat down in the entry of the New Gate of the LORD’s <i>house.</i>


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And the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes and all the people, saying, “This man deserves to <f>[11†]</f>die! For he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.”


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<pb/>Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard.


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Now therefore, <f>[12†]</f>amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; then the LORD will relent concerning the doom that He has pronounced against you.


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But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will surely bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for truly the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”


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<pb/>So the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.”


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<pb/> <f>[14†]</f>Then certain of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying:


text:
<f>[15†]</f>“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[16†]</f>“Zion shall be plowed <i>like</i> a field, </t><t>Jerusalem shall become <f>[17†]</f>heaps of ruins, </t><t>And the mountain of the temple </t><t>Like the bare hills of the forest.” ’</t>


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<pb/>Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah ever put him to death? <f>[18†]</f>Did he not fear the LORD and <f>[19†]</f>seek the LORD’s favor? And the LORD <f>[20†]</f>relented concerning the doom which He had pronounced against them. <f>[21†]</f>But we are doing great evil against ourselves.”


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<pb/>Now there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.


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And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Urijah heard <i>it,</i> he was afraid and fled, and went to Egypt.


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Then Jehoiakim the king sent men to Egypt: Elnathan the son of Achbor, and <i>other</i> men <i>who</i> <i>went</i> with him to Egypt.


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And they brought Urijah from Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.


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<pb/>Nevertheless <f>[22†]</f>the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.


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<pb/>In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, <f>[1†]</f>king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD to me: ‘Make for yourselves bonds and yokes, <f>[2†]</f>and put them on your neck,


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and send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.


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And command them to say to their masters, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel—thus you shall say to your masters:


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<f>[3†]</f>‘I have made the earth, the man and the beast that <i>are</i> on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and <f>[4†]</f>have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me.


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<f>[5†]</f>And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, <f>[6†]</f>My servant; and <f>[7†]</f>the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him.


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<f>[8†]</f>So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son’s son, <f>[9†]</f>until the time of his land comes; <f>[10†]</f>and then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them.


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And it shall be, <i>that</i> the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and which will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish,’ says the LORD, ‘with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.


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Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon.”


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For they prophesy a <f>[11†]</f>lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and I will drive you out, and you will perish.


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But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let them remain in their own land,’ says the LORD, ‘and they shall till it and dwell in it.’ ” ’ ”


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<pb/>I also spoke to <f>[12†]</f>Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live!


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<f>[13†]</f>Why will you die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD has spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?


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Therefore <f>[14†]</f>do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you, saying, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they prophesy <f>[15†]</f>a lie to you;


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for I have <f>[16†]</f>not sent them,” says the LORD, “yet they prophesy a lie in My name, that I may drive you out, and that you may perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you.”


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<pb/>Also I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you, saying, “Behold, <f>[17†]</f>the vessels of the LORD’s house will now shortly be brought back from Babylon”; for they prophesy a lie to you.


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But if they <i>are</i> prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, <i>in</i> the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, do not go to Babylon.’


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD of hosts <f>[18†]</f>concerning the pillars, concerning the Sea, concerning the carts, and concerning the remainder of the vessels that remain in this city,


text:
which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take, when he carried away <f>[19†]</f>captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem—


text:
yes, thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the <f>[20†]</f>vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem:


text:
‘They shall be <f>[21†]</f>carried to Babylon, and there they shall be until the day that I <f>[22†]</f>visit them,’ says the LORD. ‘Then <f>[23†]</f>I will bring them up and restore them to this place.’ ”


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<pb/>And <f>[1†]</f>it happened in the same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the <f>[2†]</f>fourth year <i>and</i> in the fifth month, <i>that</i> Hananiah the son of <f>[3†]</f>Azur the prophet, who <i>was</i> from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,


text:
“Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘I have broken <f>[4†]</f>the yoke of the king of Babylon.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>Within two full years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the LORD’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon <f>[6†]</f>took away from this place and carried to Babylon.


text:
And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah who went to Babylon,’ says the LORD, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and in the presence of all the people who stood in the house of the LORD,


text:
and the prophet Jeremiah said, <f>[7†]</f>“Amen! The LORD do so; the LORD perform your words which you have prophesied, to bring back the vessels of the LORD’s house and all who were carried away captive, from Babylon to this place.


text:
The prophets who have been before me and before you of old prophesied against many countries and great kingdoms—of war and disaster and pestilence.


text:
As for <f>[8†]</f>the prophet who prophesies of <f>[9†]</f>peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known <i>as</i> one whom the LORD has truly sent.”


text:
<pb/>Then Hananiah the prophet took the <f>[10†]</f>yoke off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck and broke it.


text:
And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Even so I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon <f>[11†]</f>from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years.’ ” And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.


text:
<pb/>Now the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,


text:
“Go and tell Hananiah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made in their place yokes of iron.”


text:
For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: <f>[12†]</f>“I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him. <f>[13†]</f>I have given him the beasts of the field also.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Hear now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, but <f>[14†]</f>you make this people trust in a <f>[15†]</f>lie.


text:
Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will cast you from the face of the earth. This year you shall <f>[16†]</f>die, because you have taught <f>[17†]</f>rebellion against the LORD.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Now these <i>are</i> the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were <f>[1†]</f>carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon.


text:
(This happened after <f>[2†]</f>Jeconiah the king, the <f>[3†]</f>queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.)


text:
<i>The</i> <i>letter</i> <i>was</i> <i>sent</i> by the hand of Elasah the son of <f>[4†]</f>Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,


text:
<pb/><t>Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:</t>


text:
<t>Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. </t>


text:
<t>And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, <f>[5†]</f>and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. </t>


text:
<t>For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst <f>[6†]</f>deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. </t>


text:
<t>For thus says the LORD: After <f>[8†]</f>seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to <f>[9†]</f>return to this place. </t>


text:
<t>For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. </t>


text:
<t>Then you will <f>[10†]</f>call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will <f>[11†]</f>listen to you. </t>


text:
<t>And <f>[12†]</f>you will seek Me and find <i>Me,</i> when you search for Me <f>[13†]</f>with all your heart. </t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; <f>[15†]</f>I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[16†]</f>therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, concerning all the people who dwell in this city, and concerning your brethren who have not gone out with you into captivity— </t>


text:
<t>thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will send on them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like <f>[17†]</f>rotten figs that cannot be eaten, they are so bad. </t>


text:
<t>And I will pursue them with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence; and I <f>[18†]</f>will deliver them to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth—to be <f>[19†]</f>a curse, an astonishment, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, </t>


text:
<t>because they have not heeded My words, says the LORD, which <f>[20†]</f>I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending <i>them;</i> neither would you heed, says the LORD. </t>


text:
<t>Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.</t>


text:
<t>Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a <f>[21†]</f>lie to you in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall slay them before your eyes. </t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>And because of them a curse shall be taken up by all the captivity of Judah who <i>are</i> in Babylon, saying, “The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, <f>[23†]</f>whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire”; </t>


text:
<t>because <f>[24†]</f>they have done disgraceful things in Israel, have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them. Indeed I <f>[25†]</f>know, and <i>am</i> a witness, says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: You have sent letters in your name to all the people who <i>are</i> at Jerusalem, <f>[26†]</f>to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, </t>


text:
<t>“The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, so that there should be <f>[27†]</f>officers <i>in</i> the house of the LORD over every man <i>who</i> is <f>[28†]</f>demented and considers himself a prophet, that you should <f>[29†]</f>put him in prison and in the stocks. </t>


text:
<t>Now therefore, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who makes himself a prophet to you? </t>


text:
<t>For he has sent to us <i>in</i> Babylon, saying, ‘This <i>captivity</i> <i>is</i> long; build houses and dwell <i>in</i> <i>them,</i> and plant gardens and eat their fruit.’ ”</t>


text:
Send to all those in captivity, saying, Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, <f>[30†]</f>and I have not sent him, and he has caused you to trust in a <f>[31†]</f>lie—


text:
therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his family: he shall not have anyone to dwell among this people, nor shall he see the good that I will do for My people, says the LORD, <f>[32†]</f>because he has taught rebellion against the LORD.


text:
“Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.


text:
For behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that <f>[1†]</f>I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the LORD. <f>[2†]</f>‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’ ”


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>‘We have heard a voice of trembling, </t><t>Of fear, and not of peace.</t>


text:
<t>Ask now, and see, </t><t>Whether a man is ever in labor with child? </t><t>So why do I see every man <i>with</i> his hands on his loins </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>Like a woman in labor, </t><t>And all faces turned pale?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>Alas! For that day <i>is</i> great, </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>So that none <i>is</i> like it; </t><t>And it <i>is</i> the time of Jacob’s trouble, </t><t>But he shall be saved out of it.</t>


text:
<t>‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>‘<i>That</i> I will break his yoke from your neck, </t><t>And will burst your bonds; </t><t>Foreigners shall no more enslave them.</t>


text:
<t>But they shall serve the LORD their God, </t><t>And <f>[6†]</f>David their king, </t><t>Whom I will <f>[7†]</f>raise up for them.</t>


text:
<t>‘Therefore <f>[8†]</f>do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the LORD, </t><t>‘Nor be dismayed, O Israel; </t><t>For behold, I will save you from afar, </t><t>And your seed <f>[9†]</f>from the land of their captivity. </t><t>Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, </t><t>And no one shall make <i>him</i> afraid.</t>


text:
<t>For I <i>am</i> with <f>[10†]</f>you,’ says the LORD, ‘to save you; </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Yet I will not make a complete end of you. </t><t>But I will correct you <f>[13†]</f>in justice, </t><t>And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[14†]</f>‘Your affliction <i>is</i> incurable, </t><t>Your wound <i>is</i> severe.</t>


text:
<t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> no one to plead your cause, </t><t>That you may be bound up; </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>You have no healing medicines.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[16†]</f>All your lovers have forgotten you; </t><t>They do not seek you; </t><t>For I have wounded you with the wound <f>[17†]</f>of an enemy, </t><t>With the chastisement <f>[18†]</f>of a cruel one, </t><t>For the multitude of your iniquities, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f><i>Because</i> your sins have increased.</t>


text:
<t>Why <f>[20†]</f>do you cry about your affliction? </t><t>Your sorrow <i>is</i> incurable. </t><t>Because of the multitude of your iniquities, </t><t><i>Because</i> your sins have increased, </t><t>I have done these things to you.</t>


text:
<t>‘Therefore all those who devour you <f>[21†]</f>shall be devoured; </t><t>And all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into <f>[22†]</f>captivity; </t><t>Those who plunder you shall become <f>[23†]</f>plunder, </t><t>And all who prey upon you I will make a <f>[24†]</f>prey.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>For I will restore health to you </t><t>And heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD, </t><t>‘Because they called you an outcast <i>saying:</i> </t><t>“This <i>is</i> Zion; </t><t>No one seeks her.” ’</t>


text:
<t>“Thus says the LORD: </t><t>‘Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, </t><t>And <f>[26†]</f>have mercy on his dwelling places; </t><t>The city shall be built upon its own mound, </t><t>And the palace shall remain according to its own plan.</t>


text:
<t>Then <f>[27†]</f>out of them shall proceed thanksgiving </t><t>And the voice of those who make merry; </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; </t><t>I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.</t>


text:
<t>Their children also shall be <f>[29†]</f>as before, </t><t>And their congregation shall be established before Me; </t><t>And I will punish all who oppress them.</t>


text:
<t>Their nobles shall be from among them, </t><t> <f>[30†]</f>And their governor shall come from their midst; </t><t>Then I will <f>[31†]</f>cause him to draw near, </t><t>And he shall approach Me; </t><t>For who <i>is</i> this who pledged his heart to approach Me?’ says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>Behold, the <f>[33†]</f>whirlwind of the LORD </t><t>Goes forth with fury, </t><t>A continuing whirlwind; </t><t>It will fall violently on the head of the wicked.</t>


text:
<t>The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, </t><t>And until He has performed the intents of His heart. </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>In the latter days you will consider it.</t>


text:
<pb/>“At <f>[1†]</f>the same time,” says the LORD, <f>[2†]</f>“I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.”


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“The people who survived the sword </t><t>Found grace in the wilderness— </t><t>Israel, when <f>[3†]</f>I went to give him rest.”</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has appeared of old to me, <i>saying:</i> </t><t>“Yes, <f>[4†]</f>I have loved you with <f>[5†]</f>an everlasting love; </t><t>Therefore with lovingkindness I have <f>[6†]</f>drawn you.</t>


text:
<t>Again <f>[7†]</f>I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, </t><t>O virgin of Israel! </t><t>You shall again be adorned with your <f>[8†]</f>tambourines, </t><t>And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; </t><t>The planters shall plant and eat <i>them</i> as ordinary food.</t>


text:
<t>For there shall be a day </t><t><i>When</i> the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>‘Arise, and let us go up <i>to</i> Zion, </t><t>To the LORD our God.’ ”</t>


text:
<t>For thus says the LORD: </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>“Sing with gladness for Jacob, </t><t>And shout among the chief of the nations; </t><t>Proclaim, give praise, and say, </t><t>‘O LORD, save Your people, </t><t>The remnant of Israel!’</t>


text:
<t>Behold, I will bring them <f>[12†]</f>from the north country, </t><t>And <f>[13†]</f>gather them from the ends of the earth, </t><t><i>Among</i> them the blind and the lame, </t><t>The woman with child </t><t>And the one who labors with child, together; </t><t>A great throng shall return there.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>They shall come with weeping, </t><t>And with supplications I will lead them. </t><t>I will cause them to walk <f>[15†]</f>by the rivers of waters, </t><t>In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; </t><t>For I am a Father to Israel, </t><t>And Ephraim <i>is</i> My <f>[16†]</f>firstborn.</t>


text:
<t>“Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, </t><t>And declare <i>it</i> in the isles afar off, and say, </t><t>‘He who scattered Israel <f>[17†]</f>will gather him, </t><t>And keep him as a shepherd <i>does</i> his flock.’</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[18†]</f>the LORD has redeemed Jacob, </t><t>And ransomed him <f>[19†]</f>from the hand of one stronger than he.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore they shall come and sing in <f>[20†]</f>the height of Zion, </t><t>Streaming to <f>[21†]</f>the goodness of the LORD— </t><t>For wheat and new wine and oil, </t><t>For the young of the flock and the herd; </t><t>Their souls shall be like a <f>[22†]</f>well-watered garden, </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>And they shall sorrow no more at all.</t>


text:
<t>“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, </t><t>And the young men and the old, together; </t><t>For I will turn their mourning to joy, </t><t>Will comfort them, </t><t>And make them rejoice rather than sorrow.</t>


text:
<t>I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, </t><t>And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.”</t>


text:
<t>Thus says the LORD: </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>“A voice was heard in <f>[25†]</f>Ramah, </t><t>Lamentation <i>and</i> bitter <f>[26†]</f>weeping, </t><t>Rachel weeping for her children, </t><t>Refusing to be comforted for her children, </t><t>Because <f>[27†]</f>they <i>are</i> no more.”</t>


text:
<t>Thus says the LORD: </t><t>“Refrain your voice from <f>[28†]</f>weeping, </t><t>And your eyes from tears; </t><t>For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, </t><t>And they shall come back from the land of the enemy.</t>


text:
<t>There is <f>[29†]</f>hope in your future, says the LORD, </t><t>That <i>your</i> children shall come back to their own border.</t>


text:
<t>“I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself: </t><t>‘You have <f>[30†]</f>chastised me, and I was chastised, </t><t>Like an untrained bull; </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>Restore me, and I will return, </t><t>For You <i>are</i> the LORD my God.</t>


text:
<t>Surely, <f>[32†]</f>after my turning, I repented; </t><t>And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh; </t><t>I was <f>[33†]</f>ashamed, yes, even humiliated, </t><t>Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’</t>


text:
<t><i>Is</i> Ephraim My dear son? </t><t><i>Is</i> <i>he</i> a pleasant child? </t><t>For though I spoke against him, </t><t>I earnestly remember him still; </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>Therefore My heart yearns for him; </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Set up signposts, </t><t>Make landmarks; </t><t> <f>[36†]</f>Set your heart toward the highway, </t><t>The way in <i>which</i> you went. </t><t>Turn back, O virgin of Israel, </t><t>Turn back to these your cities.</t>


text:
<t>How long will you <f>[37†]</f>gad about, </t><t>O you <f>[38†]</f>backsliding daughter? </t><t>For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth— </t><t>A woman shall encompass a man.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “They shall again use this speech in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I bring back their captivity: <f>[39†]</f>‘The LORD bless you, O home of justice, <i>and</i> <f>[40†]</f>mountain of holiness!’


text:
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and <f>[41†]</f>in all its cities together, farmers and those going out with flocks.


text:
<pb/>“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, that <f>[43†]</f>I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast.


text:
And it shall come to pass, <i>that</i> as I have <f>[44†]</f>watched over them <f>[45†]</f>to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them <f>[46†]</f>to build and to plant, says the LORD.


text:
<f>[47†]</f>In those days they shall say no more: <pb/><t>‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, </t><t>And the children’s teeth are set on edge.’</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[48†]</f>But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.


text:
<pb/>“Behold, the <f>[49†]</f>days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—


text:
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day <i>that</i> <f>[50†]</f>I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.


text:
<f>[51†]</f>But this <i>is</i> the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: <f>[52†]</f>I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; <f>[53†]</f>and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.


text:
No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for <f>[54†]</f>they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For <f>[55†]</f>I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”


text:
<pb/><t>Thus says the LORD, </t><t> <f>[56†]</f>Who gives the sun for a light by day, </t><t>The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, </t><t>Who disturbs <f>[57†]</f>the sea, </t><t>And its waves roar </t><t> <f>[58†]</f>(The LORD of hosts <i>is</i> His name):</t>


text:
<t>“If <f>[59†]</f>those ordinances depart </t><t>From before Me, says the LORD, </t><t><i>Then</i> the seed of Israel shall also cease </t><t>From being a nation before Me forever.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[60†]</f>“If heaven above can be measured, </t><t>And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, </t><t>I will also <f>[61†]</f>cast off all the seed of Israel </t><t>For all that they have done, says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, that the city shall be built for the LORD <f>[62†]</f>from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.


text:
<f>[63†]</f>The surveyor’s line shall again extend straight forward over the hill Gareb; then it shall turn toward Goath.


text:
And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields as far as the Brook Kidron, <f>[64†]</f>to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, <f>[65†]</f><i>shall</i> <i>be</i> holy to the LORD. It shall not be plucked up or thrown down anymore forever.”


text:
<pb/>The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD <f>[1†]</f>in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.


text:
For then the king of Babylon’s army besieged Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up <f>[2†]</f>in the court of the prison, which <i>was</i> <i>in</i> the king of Judah’s house.


text:
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, “Why do you <f>[3†]</f>prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the LORD: <f>[4†]</f>“Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;


text:
and Zedekiah king of Judah <f>[5†]</f>shall not escape from the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him face to face, and see him <f>[6†]</f>eye to eye;


text:
then he shall <f>[7†]</f>lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there he shall be <f>[8†]</f>until I visit him,” says the LORD; <f>[9†]</f>“though you fight with the Chaldeans, you shall not succeed” ’?”


text:
‘Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, “Buy my field which <i>is</i> in Anathoth, for the <f>[10†]</f>right of redemption <i>is</i> yours to buy <i>it.</i>” ’


text:
Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field that <i>is</i> in Anathoth, which <i>is</i> in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance <i>is</i> yours, and the redemption yours; buy <i>it</i> for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.


text:
So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who <i>was</i> in Anathoth, and <f>[11†]</f>weighed <i>out</i> <i>to</i> him the money—seventeen shekels of silver.


text:
So I took the purchase deed, <i>both</i> that which was sealed <i>according</i> to the law and custom, and that which was open;


text:
and I gave the purchase deed to <f>[12†]</f>Baruch the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my uncle’s <i>son,</i> and in the presence of the <f>[13†]</f>witnesses who signed the purchase deed, before all the Jews who sat in the court of the prison.


text:
‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Take these deeds, both this purchase deed which is sealed and this deed which is open, and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may last many days.”


text:
For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Houses and fields and vineyards shall be <f>[15†]</f>possessed again in this land.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Now when I had delivered the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying:


text:
‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, <f>[16†]</f>You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. <f>[17†]</f>There is nothing too hard for You.


text:
<i>You</i> show <f>[18†]</f>lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, <f>[19†]</f>the Mighty God, whose name <i>is</i> <f>[20†]</f>the LORD of hosts.


text:
<i>You</i> <i>are</i> <f>[21†]</f>great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your <f>[22†]</f>eyes <i>are</i> open to all the ways of the sons of men, <f>[23†]</f>to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.


text:
You have set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, to this day, and in Israel and among <i>other</i> men; and You have made Yourself <f>[24†]</f>a name, as it is this day.


text:
You <f>[25†]</f>have brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror;


text:
You have given them this land, of which You swore to their fathers to give them— <f>[26†]</f>“a land flowing with milk and honey.”


text:
And they came in and took possession of it, but <f>[27†]</f>they have not obeyed Your voice or walked in Your law. They have done nothing of all that You commanded them to do; therefore You have caused all this calamity to come upon them.


text:
<pb/>‘Look, the siege mounds! They have come to the city to take it; and the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of <f>[28†]</f>the sword and famine and pestilence. What You have spoken has happened; there You see <i>it!</i>


text:
And You have said to me, O Lord GOD, “Buy the field for money, and take witnesses”!—yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’ ”


text:
Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it.


text:
And the Chaldeans who fight against this city shall come and <f>[30†]</f>set fire to this city and burn it, with the houses <f>[31†]</f>on whose roofs they have offered incense to Baal and poured out drink offerings to other gods, to provoke Me to anger;


text:
because the children of Israel and the children of Judah <f>[32†]</f>have done only evil before Me from their youth. For the children of Israel have provoked Me only to anger with the work of their hands,’ says the LORD.


text:
‘For this city has been to Me <i>a</i> <i>provocation</i> <i>of</i> My anger and My fury from the day that they built it, even to this day; <f>[33†]</f>so I will remove it from before My face


text:
because of all the evil of the children of Israel and the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke Me to anger— <f>[34†]</f>they, their kings, their princes, their priests, <f>[35†]</f>their prophets, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


text:
And they have turned to Me the <f>[36†]</f>back, and not the face; though I taught them, <f>[37†]</f>rising up early and teaching <i>them,</i> yet they have not listened to receive instruction.


text:
And they built the high places of Baal which <i>are</i> in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to <f>[39†]</f>cause their sons and their daughters to pass through <i>the</i> <i>fire</i> to <f>[40†]</f>Molech, <f>[41†]</f>which I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.’


text:
<pb/>“Now therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence’:


text:
Behold, I will <f>[42†]</f>gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them <f>[43†]</f>to dwell safely.


text:
then I will <f>[45†]</f>give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.


text:
And <f>[46†]</f>I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but <f>[47†]</f>I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.


text:
Yes, <f>[48†]</f>I will rejoice over them to do them good, and <f>[49†]</f>I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD: <f>[50†]</f>‘Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.


text:
And fields will be bought in this land <f>[51†]</f>of which you say, “<i>It</i> <i>is</i> desolate, without man or beast; it has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.”


text:
Men will buy fields for money, sign deeds and seal <i>them,</i> and take witnesses, in <f>[52†]</f>the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for <f>[53†]</f>I will cause their captives to return,’ says the LORD.”


text:
<pb/>Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still <f>[1†]</f>shut up in the court of the prison, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD <f>[2†]</f>who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it <f>[3†]</f>(the LORD <i>is</i> His name):


text:
<f>[4†]</f>‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah, which have been pulled down <i>to</i> <i>fortify</i> against <f>[5†]</f>the siege mounds and the sword:


text:
‘They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but <i>only</i> to <f>[6†]</f>fill their places with the dead bodies of men whom I will slay in My anger and My fury, all for whose wickedness I have hidden My face from this city.


text:
Behold, <f>[7†]</f>I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.


text:
And <f>[8†]</f>I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places <f>[9†]</f>as at the first.


text:
I will <f>[10†]</f>cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall <f>[12†]</f>fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.’


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD: ‘Again there shall be heard in this place— <f>[13†]</f>of which you say, “It <i>is</i> desolate, without man and without beast”—in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast,


text:
the <f>[14†]</f>voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: <pb/><t> <f>[15†]</f>“Praise the LORD of hosts, </t><t>For the LORD <i>is</i> good, </t><t>For His mercy <i>endures</i> forever”— </t> <pb/><i>and</i> of those <i>who</i> <i>will</i> bring <f>[16†]</f>the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <f>[17†]</f>‘In this place which is desolate, without man and without beast, and in all its cities, there shall again be a dwelling place of shepherds causing <i>their</i> flocks to lie down.


text:
<f>[18†]</f>In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the South, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks shall again <f>[19†]</f>pass under the hands of him who counts <i>them,</i>’ says the LORD.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that <f>[21†]</f>I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:


text:
<pb/><t>‘In those days and at that time </t><t>I will cause to grow up to David </t><t>A <f>[22†]</f>Branch of righteousness; </t><t>He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.</t>


text:
<t>In those days Judah will be saved, </t><t>And Jerusalem will dwell safely. </t><t>And this <i>is</i> <i>the</i> <i>name</i> by which she will be called: </t> <pb/>THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD: ‘David shall never <f>[23†]</f>lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel;


text:
nor shall the <f>[24†]</f>priests, the Levites, lack a man to <f>[25†]</f>offer burnt offerings before Me, to kindle grain offerings, and to sacrifice continually.’ ”


text:
“Thus says the LORD: ‘If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season,


text:
then <f>[26†]</f>My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers.


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As <f>[27†]</f>the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I <f>[28†]</f>multiply the descendants of David My servant and the <f>[29†]</f>Levites who minister to Me.’ ”


text:
“Have you not considered what these people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the LORD has chosen, He has also cast them off’? Thus they have <f>[30†]</f>despised My people, as if they should no more be a nation before them.


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD: ‘If <f>[31†]</f>My covenant <i>is</i> not with day and night, <i>and</i> <i>if</i> I have not <f>[32†]</f>appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth,


text:
<f>[33†]</f>then I will <f>[34†]</f>cast away the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, <i>so</i> that I will not take <i>any</i> of his descendants <i>to</i> <i>be</i> rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will cause their captives to return, and will have mercy on them.’ ”


text:
<pb/>The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, <f>[1†]</f>when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army, <f>[2†]</f>all the kingdoms of the earth under his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem and all its cities, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Go and <f>[3†]</f>speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, <f>[4†]</f>I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.


text:
And <f>[5†]</f>you shall not escape from his hand, but shall surely be taken and delivered into his hand; your eyes shall see the eyes of the king of Babylon, he shall speak with you <f>[6†]</f>face to face, and you shall go to Babylon.’ ” ’


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Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you: ‘You shall not die by the sword.


text:
You shall die in peace; as in <f>[7†]</f>the ceremonies of your fathers, the former kings who were before you, <f>[8†]</f>so they shall burn <i>incense</i> for you and <f>[9†]</f>lament for you, <i>saying,</i> “Alas, lord!” For I have pronounced the word, says the LORD.’ ”


text:
when the king of Babylon’s army fought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish and Azekah; for <i>only</i> <f>[10†]</f>these fortified cities remained of the cities of Judah.


text:
<pb/><i>This</i> <i>is</i> the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who <i>were</i> at Jerusalem to proclaim <f>[11†]</f>liberty to them:


text:
<f>[12†]</f>that every man should set free his male and female slave—a Hebrew man or woman— <f>[13†]</f>that no one should keep a Jewish brother in bondage.


text:
Now when all the princes and all the people, who had entered into the covenant, heard that everyone should set free his male and female slaves, that no one should keep them in bondage anymore, they obeyed and let <i>them</i> go.


text:
But afterward they changed their minds and made the male and female slaves return, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male and female slaves.


text:
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘I made a <f>[14†]</f>covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying,


text:
“At the end of <f>[15†]</f>seven years let every man set free his Hebrew brother, who has been sold to him; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you.” But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear.


text:
Then you recently turned and did what was right in My sight—every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you <f>[16†]</f>made a covenant before Me <f>[17†]</f>in the house which is called by My name.


text:
Then you turned around and <f>[18†]</f>profaned My name, and every one of you brought back his male and female slaves, whom you had set at liberty, at their pleasure, and brought them back into subjection, to be your male and female slaves.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor. <f>[19†]</f>Behold, I proclaim liberty to you,’ says the LORD— <f>[20†]</f>‘to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to <f>[21†]</f>trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth.


text:
And I will give the men who have transgressed My covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when <f>[22†]</f>they cut the calf in two and passed between the parts of it—


text:
the princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf—


text:
I will <f>[23†]</f>give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their <f>[24†]</f>dead bodies shall be for meat for the birds of the heaven and the beasts of the earth.


text:
And I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes into the hand of their enemies, into the hand of those who seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army <f>[25†]</f>which has gone back from you.


text:
<f>[26†]</f>Behold, I will command,’ says the LORD, ‘and cause them to return to this city. They will fight against it <f>[27†]</f>and take it and burn it with fire; and <f>[28†]</f>I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without inhabitant.’ ”


text:
<pb/>The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,


text:
“Go to the house of the <f>[1†]</f>Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of <f>[2†]</f>the chambers, and give them wine to drink.”


text:
<pb/>Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, his brothers and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites,


text:
and I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which <i>was</i> by the chamber of the princes, above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, <f>[3†]</f>the keeper of the door.


text:
Then I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites bowls full of wine, and cups; and I said to them, “Drink wine.”


text:
<pb/>But they said, “We will drink no wine, for <f>[4†]</f>Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink <f>[5†]</f>no wine, you nor your sons, forever.


text:
You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, nor have <i>any</i> <i>of</i> <i>these;</i> but all your days you shall dwell in tents, <f>[6†]</f>that you may live many days in the land where you are sojourners.’


text:
Thus we have <f>[7†]</f>obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,


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But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.


text:
But it came to pass, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, ‘Come, let us <f>[8†]</f>go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and for fear of the army of the Syrians.’ So we dwell at Jerusalem.”


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not <f>[9†]</f>receive instruction to obey My words?” says the LORD.


text:
“The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment. <f>[10†]</f>But although I have spoken to you, <f>[11†]</f>rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me.


text:
I have also sent to you all My <f>[12†]</f>servants the prophets, rising up early and sending <i>them,</i> saying, <f>[13†]</f>‘Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will <f>[14†]</f>dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.


text:
Surely the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their <f>[15†]</f>father, which he commanded them, but this people has not obeyed Me.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the doom that I have pronounced against them; <f>[16†]</f>because I have spoken to them but they have not heard, and I have called to them but they have not answered.’ ”


text:
<pb/>And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you,


text:
therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to <f>[17†]</f>stand before Me forever.” ’ ”


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<pb/>Now it came to pass in the <f>[1†]</f>fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, <i>that</i> this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying:


text:
“Take a <f>[2†]</f>scroll of a book and <f>[3†]</f>write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against <f>[4†]</f>all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of <f>[5†]</f>Josiah even to this day.


text:
It <f>[6†]</f>may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may <f>[7†]</f>turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.”


text:
<pb/>Then Jeremiah <f>[8†]</f>called Baruch the son of Neriah; and <f>[9†]</f>Baruch wrote on a scroll of a book, at the instruction of Jeremiah, all the words of the LORD which He had spoken to him.


text:
And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, “I <i>am</i> confined, I cannot go into the house of the LORD.


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You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the LORD, in the hearing of the people in the LORD’s house on <f>[10†]</f>the day of fasting. And you shall also read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities.


text:
It may be that they will present their supplication before the LORD, and everyone will turn from his evil way. For great <i>is</i> the anger and the fury that the LORD has pronounced against this people.”


text:
And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading from the book the words of the LORD in the LORD’s house.


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<pb/>Now it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, <i>that</i> they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem.


text:
Then Baruch read from the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the upper court at the <f>[11†]</f>entry of the New Gate of the LORD’s house, in the hearing of all the people.


text:
<pb/>When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the LORD from the book,


text:
he then went down to the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber; and there all the princes were sitting— <f>[12†]</f>Elishama the scribe, Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, <f>[13†]</f>Elnathan the son of Achbor, Gemariah the son of Shaphan, Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.


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Then Michaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard when Baruch read the book in the hearing of the people.


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Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, “Take in your hand the scroll from which you have read in the hearing of the people, and come.” So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and came to them.


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And they said to him, “Sit down now, and read it in our hearing.” So Baruch read <i>it</i> in their hearing.


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<pb/>Now it happened, when they had heard all the words, that they looked in fear from one to another, and said to Baruch, “We will surely tell the king of all these words.”


text:
<pb/>So Baruch answered them, “He proclaimed with his mouth all these words to me, and I wrote <i>them</i> with ink in the book.”


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<pb/>Then the princes said to Baruch, “Go and hide, you and Jeremiah; and let no one know where you are.”


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<pb/>And they went to the king, into the court; but they stored the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the hearing of the king.


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So the king sent Jehudi to bring the scroll, and he took it from Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and in the hearing of all the princes who stood beside the king.


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Now the king was sitting in <f>[14†]</f>the winter house in the ninth month, with <i>a</i> <i>fire</i> burning on the hearth before him.


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And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, <i>that</i> <i>the</i> <i>king</i> cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast <i>it</i> into the fire that <i>was</i> on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that <i>was</i> on the hearth.


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Yet they were <f>[15†]</f>not afraid, nor did they <f>[16†]</f>tear their garments, the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words.


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Nevertheless Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah implored the king not to burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them.


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And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but the LORD hid them.


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<pb/>Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words which Baruch had written at the instruction of Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying:


text:
“Take yet another scroll, and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.


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And you shall say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, ‘Thus says the LORD: “You have burned this scroll, saying, <f>[17†]</f>‘Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and cause man and beast to <f>[18†]</f>cease from here?’ ”


text:
Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: <f>[19†]</f>“He shall have no one to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be <f>[20†]</f>cast out to the heat of the day and the frost of the night.


text:
I will punish him, his family, and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring on them, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the men of Judah all the doom that I have pronounced against them; but they did not heed.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote on it at the instruction of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And besides, there were added to them many similar words.


text:
<pb/>Now King <f>[1†]</f>Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land gave heed to the words of the LORD which He spoke by the prophet Jeremiah.


text:
<pb/>And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and <f>[3†]</f>Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, <f>[4†]</f>“Pray now to the LORD our God for us.”


text:
Then <f>[5†]</f>Pharaoh’s army came up from Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news of them, they departed from Jerusalem.


text:
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Thus you shall say to the king of Judah, <f>[6†]</f>who sent you to Me to inquire of Me: “Behold, Pharaoh’s army which has come up to help you will return to Egypt, to their own land.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>And the Chaldeans shall come back and fight against this city, and take it and burn it with fire.” ’


text:
Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely depart from us,” for they will not depart.


text:
<f>[8†]</f>For though you had defeated the whole army of the Chaldeans who fight against you, and there remained <i>only</i> wounded men among them, they would rise up, every man in his tent, and burn the city with fire.’ ”


text:
<pb/>And it happened, when the army of the Chaldeans left <i>the</i> <i>siege</i> of Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army,


text:
that Jeremiah went out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin to claim his property there among the people.


text:
And when he was in the Gate of Benjamin, a captain of the guard <i>was</i> there whose name <i>was</i> Irijah the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are defecting to the Chaldeans!”


text:
<pb/>Then Jeremiah said, “False! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans.” But he did not listen to him. <pb/>So Irijah seized Jeremiah and brought him to the princes.


text:
Therefore the princes were angry with Jeremiah, and they struck him <f>[9†]</f>and put him in prison in the <f>[10†]</f>house of Jonathan the scribe. For they had made that the prison.


text:
<pb/>When Jeremiah entered <f>[11†]</f>the dungeon and the cells, and Jeremiah had remained there many days,


text:
then Zedekiah the king sent and took him <i>out.</i> The king asked him secretly in his house, and said, “Is there <i>any</i> word from the LORD?” <pb/>And Jeremiah said, “There is.” Then he said, “You shall be <f>[12†]</f>delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon!”


text:
<pb/>Moreover Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, “What offense have I committed against you, against your servants, or against this people, that you have put me in prison?


text:
Where now <i>are</i> your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land’?


text:
Therefore please hear now, O my lord the king. Please, let my petition be accepted before you, and do not make me return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.”


text:
<pb/>Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah <f>[13†]</f>to the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread from the bakers’ street, <f>[14†]</f>until all the bread in the city was gone. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.


text:
<pb/>Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, <f>[1†]</f>Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and <f>[2†]</f>Pashhur the son of Malchiah <f>[3†]</f>heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken to all the people, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD: <f>[4†]</f>‘He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes over to the Chaldeans shall live; his life shall be as a prize to him, and he shall live.’


text:
Thus says the LORD: <f>[5†]</f>‘This city shall surely be <f>[6†]</f>given into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which shall take it.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Therefore the princes said to the king, “Please, <f>[7†]</f>let this man be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm.”


text:
<pb/>Then Zedekiah the king said, “Look, he <i>is</i> in your hand. For the king can <i>do</i> nothing against you.”


text:
<f>[8†]</f>So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king’s son, which <i>was</i> in the court of the prison, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. And in the dungeon <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire.


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<pb/> <f>[9†]</f>Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon. When the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin,


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“My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon, and he is likely to die from hunger in the place where he is. For <i>there</i> <i>is</i> <f>[10†]</f>no more bread in the city.”


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Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he dies.”


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So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there old clothes and old rags, and let them down by ropes into the dungeon to Jeremiah.


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Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.” And Jeremiah did so.


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So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah remained <f>[11†]</f>in the court of the prison.


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<pb/>Then Zedekiah the king sent and had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance of the house of the LORD. And the king said to Jeremiah, “I will <f>[12†]</f>ask you something. Hide nothing from me.”


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<pb/>Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I declare <i>it</i> to you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”


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<pb/>So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “<i>As</i> the LORD lives, <f>[13†]</f>who made our very souls, I will not put you to death, nor will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.”


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<pb/>Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘If you surely <f>[14†]</f>surrender <f>[15†]</f>to the king of Babylon’s princes, then your soul shall live; this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live.


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But if you do not surrender to the king of Babylon’s princes, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans; they shall burn it with fire, and <f>[16†]</f>you shall not escape from their hand.’ ”


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<pb/>And Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid of the Jews who have <f>[17†]</f>defected to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they <f>[18†]</f>abuse me.”


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<pb/>But Jeremiah said, “They shall not deliver <i>you.</i> Please, obey the voice of the LORD which I speak to you. So it shall be <f>[19†]</f>well with you, and your soul shall live.


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‘Now behold, all the <f>[20†]</f>women who are left in the king of Judah’s house <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> surrendered to the king of Babylon’s princes, and those <i>women</i> shall say: <pb/><t>“Your close friends have set upon you </t><t>And prevailed against you; </t><t>Your feet have sunk in the mire, </t><t><i>And</i> they have turned away again.”</t>


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<pb/>‘So they shall surrender all your wives and <f>[21†]</f>children to the Chaldeans. <f>[22†]</f>You shall not escape from their hand, but shall be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon. And you shall cause this city to be burned with fire.’ ”


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But if the princes hear that I have talked with you, and they come to you and say to you, ‘Declare to us now what you have said to the king, and also what the king said to you; do not hide <i>it</i> from us, and we will not put you to death,’


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then you shall say to them, <f>[23†]</f>‘I presented my request before the king, that he would not make me return <f>[24†]</f>to Jonathan’s house to die there.’ ”


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<pb/>Then all the princes came to Jeremiah and asked him. And he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they stopped speaking with him, for the conversation had not been heard.


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Now <f>[25†]</f>Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken. And he was <i>there</i> when Jerusalem was taken.


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<pb/>In the <f>[1†]</f>ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem, and besieged it.


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In the <f>[2†]</f>eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth <i>day</i> of the month, the city was penetrated.


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<pb/> <f>[3†]</f>Then all the princes of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sarezer, Rabmag, with the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.


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<pb/> <f>[4†]</f>So it was, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, that they fled and went out of the city by night, by way of the king’s garden, by the gate between the two walls. And he went out by way of the plain.


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But the Chaldean army pursued them and <f>[5†]</f>overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had captured him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to <f>[6†]</f>Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.


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Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his <f>[7†]</f>eyes in Riblah; the king of Babylon also killed all the <f>[8†]</f>nobles of Judah.


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Moreover <f>[9†]</f>he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon.


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<f>[10†]</f>And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the houses of the people with <f>[11†]</f>fire, and broke down the <f>[12†]</f>walls of Jerusalem.


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<f>[13†]</f>Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive to Babylon the remnant of the people who remained in the city and those who <f>[14†]</f>defected to him, with the rest of the people who remained.


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But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left in the land of Judah the <f>[15†]</f>poor people, who had nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.


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<pb/>Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,


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“Take him and look after him, and do him no <f>[16†]</f>harm; but do to him just as he says to you.”


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So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent Nebushasban, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon’s chief officers;


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then they sent <i>someone</i> <f>[17†]</f>to take Jeremiah from the court of the prison, and committed him <f>[18†]</f>to Gedaliah the son of <f>[19†]</f>Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should take him home. So he dwelt among the people.


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<pb/>Meanwhile the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,


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“Go and speak to <f>[20†]</f>Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, <f>[21†]</f>I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be <i>performed</i> in that day before you.


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But I will deliver you in that day,” says the LORD, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you <i>are</i> afraid.


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For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but <f>[22†]</f>your life shall be as a prize to you, <f>[23†]</f>because you have put your trust in Me,” says the LORD.’ ”


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<pb/>The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD <f>[1†]</f>after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him bound in chains among all who were carried away captive from Jerusalem and Judah, who were carried away captive to Babylon.


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<pb/>And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and <f>[2†]</f>said to him: “The LORD your God has pronounced this doom on this place.


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Now the LORD has brought <i>it,</i> and has done just as He said. <f>[3†]</f>Because you <i>people</i> have sinned against the LORD, and not obeyed His voice, therefore this thing has come upon you.


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And now look, I free you this day from the chains that <i>were</i> on your hand. <f>[4†]</f>If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if it seems wrong for you to come with me to Babylon, remain here. See, <f>[5†]</f>all the land <i>is</i> before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, go there.”


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<pb/>Now while Jeremiah had not yet gone back, <i>Nebuzaradan</i> <i>said,</i> “Go back to <f>[6†]</f>Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, <f>[7†]</f>whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever it seems convenient for you to go.” So the captain of the guard gave him rations and a gift and let him go.


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<f>[8†]</f>Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, to <f>[9†]</f>Mizpah, and dwelt with him among the people who were left in the land.


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<pb/> <f>[10†]</f>And when all the captains of the armies who <i>were</i> in the fields, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, women, children, and <f>[11†]</f>the poorest of the land who had not been carried away captive to Babylon,


text:
then they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah— <f>[12†]</f>Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, <f>[13†]</f>Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and <f>[14†]</f>Jezaniah the son of a <f>[15†]</f>Maachathite, they and their men.


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And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath before them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be <f>[16†]</f>well with you.


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As for me, I will indeed dwell at Mizpah and serve the Chaldeans who come to us. But you, gather wine and summer fruit and oil, put <i>them</i> in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.”


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Likewise, when all the Jews who <i>were</i> in Moab, among the Ammonites, in Edom, and who <i>were</i> in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan,


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then all the Jews <f>[17†]</f>returned out of all places where they had been driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruit in abundance.


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<pb/>Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces that <i>were</i> in the fields came to Gedaliah at Mizpah,


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and said to him, “Do you certainly know that <f>[18†]</f>Baalis the king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to murder you?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam did not believe them.


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<pb/>Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah in Mizpah, saying, “Let me go, please, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know <i>it.</i> Why should he murder you, so that all the Jews who are gathered to you would be scattered, and the <f>[19†]</f>remnant in Judah perish?”


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<pb/>But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “You shall not do this thing, for you speak falsely concerning Ishmael.”


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<pb/>Now it came to pass in the seventh month <f>[1†]</f><i>that</i> Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family and of the officers of the king, came with ten men to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at <f>[2†]</f>Mizpah. And there they ate bread together in Mizpah.


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Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him, arose and <f>[3†]</f>struck Gedaliah the son of <f>[4†]</f>Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, and killed him whom the king of Babylon had made <f>[5†]</f>governor over the land.


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Ishmael also struck down all the Jews who were with him, <i>that</i> <i>is,</i> with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans who were found there, the men of war.


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<pb/>And it happened, on the second day after he had killed Gedaliah, when as yet no one knew <i>it,</i>


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that certain men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, eighty men <f>[6†]</f>with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring <i>them</i> to <f>[7†]</f>the house of the LORD.


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Now Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went along; and it happened as he met them that he said to them, “Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam!”


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So it was, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah <f>[8†]</f>killed them <i>and</i> <i>cast</i> <i>them</i> into the midst of a pit, he and the men who were with him.


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But ten men were found among them who said to Ishmael, “Do not kill us, for we have treasures of wheat, barley, oil, and honey in the field.” So he desisted and did not kill them among their brethren.


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Now the pit into which Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain, because of Gedaliah, <i>was</i> <f>[9†]</f>the same one Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with <i>the</i> slain.


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Then Ishmael carried away captive all the <f>[10†]</f>rest of the people who <i>were</i> in Mizpah, <f>[11†]</f>the king’s daughters and all the people who remained in Mizpah, <f>[12†]</f>whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive and departed to go over to <f>[13†]</f>the Ammonites.


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<pb/>But when <f>[14†]</f>Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces that <i>were</i> with him heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,


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they took all the men and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah; and they found him by <f>[15†]</f>the great pool that <i>is</i> in Gibeon.


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So it was, when all the people who <i>were</i> with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who <i>were</i> with him, that they were glad.


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Then all the people whom Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.


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<pb/>Then Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, took from Mizpah all the <f>[16†]</f>rest of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah after he had murdered Gedaliah the son of Ahikam—the mighty men of war and the women and the children and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon.


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And they departed and dwelt in the habitation of <f>[17†]</f>Chimham, which is near Bethlehem, as they went on their way to <f>[18†]</f>Egypt,


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because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had murdered Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, <f>[19†]</f>whom the king of Babylon had made governor in the land.


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<pb/>Now all the captains of the forces, <f>[1†]</f>Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, came near


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and said to Jeremiah the prophet, <f>[2†]</f>“Please, let our petition be acceptable to you, and <f>[3†]</f>pray for us to the LORD your God, for all this remnant (since we are left <i>but</i> <f>[4†]</f>a few of many, as you can see),


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that the LORD your God may show us <f>[5†]</f>the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do.”


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<pb/>Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard. Indeed, I will pray to the LORD your God according to your words, and it shall be, <i>that</i> <f>[6†]</f>whatever the LORD answers you, I will declare <i>it</i> to you. I will <f>[7†]</f>keep nothing back from you.”


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<pb/>So they said to Jeremiah, <f>[8†]</f>“Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you.


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Whether <i>it</i> <i>is</i> pleasing or displeasing, we will <f>[9†]</f>obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, <f>[10†]</f>that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”


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Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah, all the captains of the forces which <i>were</i> with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,


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and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him:


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‘If you will still remain in this land, then <f>[11†]</f>I will build you and not pull <i>you</i> down, and I will plant you and not pluck <i>you</i> up. For I <f>[12†]</f>relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you.


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Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the LORD, <f>[13†]</f>‘for I <i>am</i> with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand.


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And <f>[14†]</f>I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.’


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<pb/>“But if <f>[15†]</f>you say, ‘We will not dwell in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the LORD your God,


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saying, ‘No, but we will go to the land of <f>[16†]</f>Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell’—


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Then hear now the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah! Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘If you <f>[17†]</f>wholly set <f>[18†]</f>your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there,


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then it shall be <i>that</i> the <f>[19†]</f>sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there <i>in</i> Egypt; and there you shall die.


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So shall it be with all the men who set their faces to go to Egypt to dwell there. They shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. And <f>[20†]</f>none of them shall remain or escape from the disaster that I will bring upon them.’


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘As My anger and My fury have been <f>[21†]</f>poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will My fury be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. And <f>[22†]</f>you shall be an oath, an astonishment, a curse, and a reproach; and you shall see this place no more.’


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<pb/>“The LORD has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, <f>[23†]</f>‘Do not go to Egypt!’ Know certainly that I have admonished you this day.


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For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the LORD our God, and according to all that the LORD your God says, so declare to us and we will do <i>it.</i>’


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And I have this day declared <i>it</i> to you, but you have <f>[24†]</f>not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, or anything which He has sent you by me.


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Now therefore, know certainly that you <f>[25†]</f>shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to dwell.”


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<pb/>Now it happened, when Jeremiah had stopped speaking to all the people all the <f>[1†]</f>words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, all these words,


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<f>[2†]</f>that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, “You speak falsely! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to dwell there.’


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But <f>[3†]</f>Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death or carry us away captive to Babylon.”


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So Johanan the son of Kareah, all the captains of the forces, and all the people would <f>[4†]</f>not obey the voice of the LORD, to remain in the land of Judah.


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But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces took <f>[5†]</f>all the remnant of Judah who had returned to dwell in the land of Judah, from all nations where they had been driven—


text:
men, women, children, <f>[6†]</f>the king’s daughters, <f>[7†]</f>and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah.


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<f>[8†]</f>So they went to the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD. And they went as far as <f>[9†]</f>Tahpanhes.


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“Take large stones in your hand, and hide them in the sight of the men of Judah, in the clay in the brick courtyard which <i>is</i> at the entrance to Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes;


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and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will send and bring Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, <f>[11†]</f>My servant, and will set his throne above these stones that I have hidden. And he will spread his royal pavilion over them.


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<f>[12†]</f>When he comes, he shall strike the land of Egypt <i>and</i> <i>deliver</i> to death <f>[13†]</f><i>those</i> <i>appointed</i> for death, and to captivity <i>those</i> <i>appointed</i> for captivity, and to the sword <i>those</i> <i>appointed</i> for the sword.


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I will kindle a fire in the houses of <f>[14†]</f>the gods of Egypt, and he shall burn them and carry them away captive. And he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment, and he shall go out from there in peace.


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He shall also break the <i>sacred</i> pillars of Beth Shemesh that <i>are</i> in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians he shall burn with fire.” ’ ”


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<pb/>The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who dwell in the land of Egypt, who dwell at <f>[1†]</f>Migdol, at <f>[2†]</f>Tahpanhes, at <f>[3†]</f>Noph, and in the country of <f>[4†]</f>Pathros, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘You have seen all the calamity that I have brought on Jerusalem and on all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they <i>are</i> <f>[5†]</f>a desolation, and no one dwells in them,


text:
because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke Me to anger, in that they went <f>[6†]</f>to burn incense <i>and</i> to <f>[7†]</f>serve other gods whom they did not know, they nor you nor your fathers.


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However <f>[8†]</f>I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising early and sending <i>them,</i> saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate!”


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But they did not listen or incline their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods.


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So My fury and My anger were poured out and kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted <i>and</i> desolate, as it is this day.’


text:
<pb/>“Now therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Why do you commit <i>this</i> great evil <f>[9†]</f>against yourselves, to cut off from you man and woman, child and infant, out of Judah, leaving none to remain,


text:
in that you <f>[10†]</f>provoke Me to wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt where you have gone to dwell, that you may cut yourselves off and be <f>[11†]</f>a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?


text:
Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah, the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?


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They have not been <f>[12†]</f>humbled, to this day, nor have they <f>[13†]</f>feared; they have not walked in My law or in My statutes that I set before you and your fathers.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, <f>[14†]</f>I will set My face against you for catastrophe and for cutting off all Judah.


text:
And I will take the remnant of Judah who have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to dwell there, and <f>[15†]</f>they shall all be consumed <i>and</i> fall in the land of Egypt. They shall be consumed by the sword <i>and</i> by famine. They shall die, from the least to the greatest, by the sword and by famine; and <f>[16†]</f>they shall be an oath, an astonishment, a curse and a reproach!


text:
<f>[17†]</f>For I will punish those who dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence,


text:
so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone into the land of Egypt to dwell there shall escape or survive, lest they return to the land of Judah, to which they <f>[18†]</f>desire to return and dwell. For <f>[19†]</f>none shall return except those who escape.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Then all the men who knew that their wives had burned incense to other gods, with all the women who stood by, a great multitude, and all the people who dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying:


text:
“<i>As</i> <i>for</i> the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, <f>[20†]</f>we will not listen to you!


text:
But we will certainly do <f>[21†]</f>whatever has gone out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the <f>[22†]</f>queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For <i>then</i> we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble.


text:
But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.”


text:
<pb/><i>The</i> <i>women</i> <i>also</i> <i>said,</i> <f>[23†]</f>“And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make cakes for her, to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her without our husbands’ <i>permission?</i>”


text:
<pb/>Then Jeremiah spoke to all the people—the men, the women, and all the people who had given him <i>that</i> answer—saying:


text:
“The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and did it <i>not</i> come into His mind?


text:
So the LORD could no longer bear <i>it,</i> because of the evil of your doings <i>and</i> because of the abominations which you committed. Therefore your land is a desolation, an astonishment, a curse, and without an inhabitant, <f>[24†]</f>as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day.


text:
Because you have burned incense and because you have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD or walked in His law, in His statutes or in His testimonies, <f>[25†]</f>therefore this calamity has happened to you, as <i>at</i> this day.”


text:
<pb/>Moreover Jeremiah said to all the people and to all the women, “Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah who <i>are</i> in the land of Egypt!


text:
Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘You and your wives have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled with your hands, saying, “We will surely keep our vows that we have made, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.” You will surely keep your vows and perform your vows!’


text:
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: ‘Behold, <f>[26†]</f>I have sworn by My <f>[27†]</f>great name,’ says the LORD, ‘that <f>[28†]</f>My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “The Lord GOD lives.”


text:
Behold, I will watch over them for adversity and not for good. And all the men of Judah who <i>are</i> in the land of Egypt <f>[29†]</f>shall be consumed by the sword and by famine, until there is an end to them.


text:
Yet <f>[30†]</f>a small number who escape the sword shall return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah; and all the remnant of Judah, who have gone to the land of Egypt to dwell there, shall know whose words will stand, Mine or theirs.


text:
And this <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> a sign to you,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that My words will surely <f>[31†]</f>stand against you for adversity.’


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, <f>[32†]</f>I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek his life, as I gave <f>[33†]</f>Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life.’ ”


text:
<pb/>The <f>[1†]</f>word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to <f>[2†]</f>Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the instruction of Jeremiah, in the <f>[3†]</f>fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,


text:
‘You said, “Woe is me now! For the LORD has added grief to my sorrow. I <f>[4†]</f>fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Thus you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, <f>[5†]</f>what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is, this whole land.


text:
And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek <i>them;</i> for behold, <f>[6†]</f>I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your <f>[7†]</f>life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”


text:
Against <f>[2†]</f>Egypt. <pb/> <f>[3†]</f>Concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, which was by the River Euphrates in Carchemish, and which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon <f>[4†]</f>defeated in the <f>[5†]</f>fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:


text:
<t>Harness the horses, </t><t>And mount up, you horsemen! </t><t>Stand forth with <i>your</i> helmets, </t><t>Polish the spears, </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>Put on the armor!</t>


text:
<t>Why have I seen them dismayed <i>and</i> turned back? </t><t>Their mighty ones are beaten down; </t><t>They have speedily fled, </t><t>And did not look back, </t><t><i>For</i> <f>[7†]</f>fear <i>was</i> all around,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Do not let the swift flee away, </t><t>Nor the mighty man escape; </t><t>They will <f>[8†]</f>stumble and fall </t><t>Toward the north, by the River Euphrates.</t>


text:
<t>“Who <i>is</i> this coming up <f>[9†]</f>like a flood, </t><t>Whose waters move like the rivers?</t>


text:
<t>Egypt rises up like a flood, </t><t>And <i>its</i> waters move like the rivers; </t><t>And he says, ‘I will go up <i>and</i> cover the earth, </t><t>I will destroy the city and its inhabitants.’</t>


text:
<t>Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots! </t><t>And let the mighty men come forth: </t><t>The Ethiopians and the Libyans who handle the shield, </t><t>And the Lydians <f>[10†]</f>who handle <i>and</i> bend the bow.</t>


text:
<t>For this <i>is</i> <f>[11†]</f>the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, </t><t>A day of vengeance, </t><t>That He may avenge Himself on His adversaries. </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>The sword shall devour; </t><t>It shall be satiated and made drunk with their blood; </t><t>For the Lord GOD of hosts <f>[13†]</f>has a sacrifice </t><t>In the north country by the River Euphrates.</t>


text:
<t>“Go <f>[14†]</f> up to Gilead and take balm, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>O virgin, the daughter of Egypt; </t><t>In vain you will use many medicines; </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>You shall not be cured.</t>


text:
<t>The nations have heard of your <f>[17†]</f>shame, </t><t>And your cry has filled the land; </t><t>For the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty; </t><t>They both have fallen together.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon would come <i>and</i> <f>[18†]</f>strike the land of Egypt.


text:
<pb/><t>“Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in <f>[19†]</f>Migdol; </t><t>Proclaim in Noph and in <f>[20†]</f>Tahpanhes; </t><t>Say, ‘Stand fast and prepare yourselves, </t><t>For the sword devours all around you.’</t>


text:
<t>Why are your valiant <i>men</i> swept away? </t><t>They did not stand </t><t>Because the LORD drove them away.</t>


text:
<t>He made many fall; </t><t>Yes, <f>[21†]</f>one fell upon another. </t><t>And they said, ‘Arise! </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>Let us go back to our own people </t><t>And to the land of our nativity </t><t>From the oppressing sword.’</t>


text:
<t>They cried there, </t><t>‘Pharaoh, king of Egypt, <i>is</i> <i>but</i> a noise. </t><t>He has passed by the appointed time!’</t>


text:
<t>“<i>As</i> I live,” says the King, </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>Whose name <i>is</i> the LORD of hosts, </t><t>“Surely as Tabor <i>is</i> among the mountains </t><t>And as Carmel by the sea, <i>so</i> he shall come.</t>


text:
<t>O <f>[24†]</f>you daughter dwelling in Egypt, </t><t>Prepare yourself <f>[25†]</f>to go into captivity! </t><t>For Noph shall be waste and desolate, without inhabitant.</t>


text:
<t>“Egypt <i>is</i> a very pretty <f>[26†]</f>heifer, </t><t><i>But</i> destruction comes, it comes <f>[27†]</f>from the north.</t>


text:
<t>Also her mercenaries are in her midst like fat bulls, </t><t>For they also are turned back, </t><t>They have fled away together. </t><t>They did not stand, </t><t>For <f>[28†]</f>the day of their calamity had come upon them, </t><t>The time of their punishment.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[29†]</f>Her noise shall go like a serpent, </t><t>For they shall march with an army </t><t>And come against her with axes, </t><t>Like those who chop wood.</t>


text:
<t>“They shall <f>[30†]</f>cut down her forest,” says the LORD, </t><t>“Though it cannot be searched, </t><t>Because they <i>are</i> innumerable, </t><t>And more numerous than <f>[31†]</f>grasshoppers.</t>


text:
<t>The daughter of Egypt shall be ashamed; </t><t>She shall be delivered into the hand </t><t>Of <f>[32†]</f>the people of the north.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring punishment on Amon of <f>[33†]</f>No, and Pharaoh and Egypt, <f>[34†]</f>with their gods and their kings—Pharaoh and those who <f>[35†]</f>trust in him.


text:
<f>[36†]</f>And I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the hand of his servants. <f>[37†]</f>Afterward it shall be inhabited as in the days of old,” says the LORD.


text:
<pb/><t>“But <f>[38†]</f> do not fear, O My servant Jacob, </t><t>And do not be dismayed, O Israel! </t><t>For behold, I will <f>[39†]</f>save you from afar, </t><t>And your offspring from the land of their captivity; </t><t>Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; </t><t>No one shall make <i>him</i> afraid.</t>


text:
<t>Do not fear, O Jacob My servant,” says the LORD, </t><t>“For I <i>am</i> with you; </t><t>For I will make a complete end of all the nations </t><t>To which I have driven you, </t><t>But I will not make <f>[40†]</f>a complete end of you. </t><t>I will rightly <f>[41†]</f>correct you, </t><t>For I will not leave you wholly unpunished.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet <f>[1†]</f>against the Philistines, <f>[2†]</f>before Pharaoh attacked Gaza.


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Behold, <f>[3†]</f>waters rise <f>[4†]</f>out of the north, </t><t>And shall be an overflowing flood; </t><t>They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, </t><t>The city and those who dwell within; </t><t>Then the men shall cry, </t><t>And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.</t>


text:
<t>At the <f>[5†]</f>noise of the stamping hooves of his strong horses, </t><t>At the rushing of his chariots, </t><t><i>At</i> the rumbling of his wheels, </t><t>The fathers will not look back for <i>their</i> children, </t><t>Lacking courage,</t>


text:
<t>Because of the day that comes to plunder all the <f>[6†]</f>Philistines, </t><t>To cut off from <f>[7†]</f>Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; </t><t>For the LORD shall plunder the Philistines, </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>The remnant of the country of <f>[9†]</f>Caphtor.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>Baldness has come upon Gaza, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Ashkelon is cut off </t><t><i>With</i> the remnant of their valley. </t><t>How long will you cut yourself?</t>


text:
<t>“O you <f>[12†]</f>sword of the LORD, </t><t>How long until you are quiet? </t><t>Put yourself up into your scabbard, </t><t>Rest and be still!</t>


text:
<t>How can it be quiet, </t><t>Seeing the LORD has <f>[13†]</f>given it a charge </t><t>Against Ashkelon and against the seashore? </t><t>There He has <f>[14†]</f>appointed it.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Against <f>[1†]</f>Moab. <pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: <pb/><t>“Woe to <f>[2†]</f>Nebo! </t><t>For it is plundered, </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>Kirjathaim is shamed <i>and</i> taken; </t><t>The high stronghold is shamed and dismayed—</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>No more praise of Moab. </t><t>In <f>[5†]</f>Heshbon they have devised evil against her: </t><t>‘Come, and let us cut her off as a nation.’ </t><t>You also shall be cut down, O <f>[6†]</f>Madmen! </t><t>The sword shall pursue you;</t>


text:
<t>A voice of crying <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> from <f>[7†]</f>Horonaim: </t><t>‘Plundering and great destruction!’</t>


text:
<t> <f>[8†]</f>For in the Ascent of Luhith they ascend with continual weeping; </t><t>For in the descent of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.</t>


text:
<t>For because you have trusted in your works and your <f>[10†]</f>treasures, </t><t>You also shall be taken. </t><t>And <f>[11†]</f>Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, </t><t>His <f>[12†]</f>priests and his princes together.</t>


text:
<t>And <f>[13†]</f>the plunderer shall come against every city; </t><t>No one shall escape. </t><t>The valley also shall perish, </t><t>And the plain shall be destroyed, </t><t>As the LORD has spoken.</t>


text:
<t>“Give <f>[14†]</f> wings to Moab, </t><t>That she may flee and get away; </t><t>For her cities shall be desolate, </t><t>Without any to dwell in them.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[15†]</f>Cursed <i>is</i> he who does the work of the LORD deceitfully, </t><t>And cursed <i>is</i> he who keeps back his sword from blood.</t>


text:
<t>“Moab has been at ease from his youth; </t><t>He <f>[16†]</f>has settled on his dregs, </t><t>And has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, </t><t>Nor has he gone into captivity. </t><t>Therefore his taste remained in him, </t><t>And his scent has not changed.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, </t><t>“That I shall send him wine-workers </t><t>Who will tip him over </t><t>And empty his vessels </t><t>And break the bottles.</t>


text:
<t>Moab shall be ashamed of <f>[17†]</f>Chemosh, </t><t>As the house of Israel <f>[18†]</f>was ashamed of <f>[19†]</f>Bethel, their confidence.</t>


text:
<t>Moab is plundered and gone up <i>from</i> her cities; </t><t>Her chosen young men have <f>[21†]</f>gone down to the slaughter,” says <f>[22†]</f>the King, </t><t>Whose name <i>is</i> the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>Bemoan him, all you who are around him; </t><t>And all you who know his name, </t><t>Say, <f>[23†]</f>‘How the strong staff is broken, </t><t>The beautiful rod!’</t>


text:
<t>“O <f>[24†]</f>daughter inhabiting <f>[25†]</f>Dibon, </t><t>Come down from <i>your</i> glory, </t><t>And sit in thirst; </t><t>For the plunderer of Moab has come against you, </t><t>He has destroyed your strongholds.</t>


text:
<t>O inhabitant of <f>[26†]</f>Aroer, </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>Stand by the way and watch; </t><t>Ask him who flees </t><t>And her who escapes; </t><t>Say, ‘What has happened?’</t>


text:
<t>Moab is shamed, for he is broken down. </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>Wail and cry! </t><t>Tell it in <f>[29†]</f>Arnon, that Moab is plundered.</t>


text:
<t>On <f>[30†]</f>Kerioth and Bozrah, </t><t>On all the cities of the land of Moab, </t><t>Far or near.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[31†]</f>The horn of Moab is cut off, </t><t>And his <f>[32†]</f>arm is broken,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Make <f>[33†]</f> him drunk, </t><t>Because he exalted <i>himself</i> against the LORD. </t><t>Moab shall wallow in his vomit, </t><t>And he shall also be in derision.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[34†]</f>was not Israel a derision to you? </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>Was he found among thieves? </t><t>For whenever you speak of him, </t><t>You shake <i>your</i> <i>head</i> <i>in</i> <f>[36†]</f>scorn.</t>


text:
<t>You who dwell in Moab, </t><t>Leave the cities and <f>[37†]</f>dwell in the rock, </t><t>And be like <f>[38†]</f>the dove <i>which</i> makes her nest </t><t>In the sides of the cave’s mouth.</t>


text:
<t>“We have heard the <f>[39†]</f>pride of Moab </t><t>(He <i>is</i> exceedingly proud), </t><t>Of his loftiness and arrogance and <f>[40†]</f>pride, </t><t>And of the haughtiness of his heart.”</t>


text:
<t>“I know his wrath,” says the LORD, </t><t>“But it <i>is</i> not right; </t><t> <f>[41†]</f>His lies have made nothing right.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore <f>[42†]</f>I will wail for Moab, </t><t>And I will cry out for all Moab; </t><t>I will mourn for the men of Kir Heres.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[43†]</f>O vine of Sibmah! I will weep for you with the weeping of <f>[44†]</f>Jazer. </t><t>Your plants have gone over the sea, </t><t>They reach to the sea of Jazer. </t><t>The plunderer has fallen on your summer fruit and your vintage.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[45†]</f>Joy and gladness are taken </t><t>From the plentiful field </t><t>And from the land of Moab; </t><t>I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses; </t><t>No one will tread with joyous shouting— </t><t>Not joyous shouting!</t>


text:
<t>“From <f>[46†]</f> the cry of Heshbon to <f>[47†]</f>Elealeh and to Jahaz </t><t>They have uttered their voice, </t><t> <f>[48†]</f>From Zoar to Horonaim, </t><t><i>Like</i> a three-year-old heifer; </t><t>For the waters of Nimrim also shall be desolate.</t>


text:
<t>“Moreover,” says the LORD, </t><t>“I will cause to cease in Moab </t><t> <f>[49†]</f>The one who offers <i>sacrifices</i> in the high places </t><t>And burns incense to his gods.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore <f>[50†]</f>My heart shall wail like flutes for Moab, </t><t>And like flutes My heart shall wail </t><t>For the men of Kir Heres. </t><t>Therefore <f>[51†]</f>the riches they have acquired have perished.</t>


text:
<t>“For <f>[52†]</f>every head <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> bald, and every beard clipped; </t><t>On all the hands <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> cuts, and <f>[53†]</f>on the loins sackcloth—</t>


text:
<t>A general lamentation </t><t>On all the <f>[54†]</f>housetops of Moab, </t><t>And in its streets; </t><t>For I have <f>[55†]</f>broken Moab like a vessel in which <i>is</i> no pleasure,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“They shall wail: </t><t>‘How she is broken down! </t><t>How Moab has turned her back with shame!’ </t><t>So Moab shall be a derision </t><t>And a dismay to all those about her.”</t>


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Behold, <f>[56†]</f>one shall fly like an eagle, </t><t>And <f>[57†]</f>spread his wings over Moab.</t>


text:
<t>Kerioth is taken, </t><t>And the strongholds are surprised; </t><t> <f>[58†]</f>The mighty men’s hearts in Moab on that day shall be </t><t>Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.</t>


text:
<t>And Moab shall be destroyed <f>[59†]</f>as a people, </t><t>Because he exalted <i>himself</i> against the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[60†]</f>Fear and the pit and the snare <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> upon you, </t><t>O inhabitant of Moab,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“He who flees from the fear shall fall into the pit, </t><t>And he who gets out of the pit shall be caught in the <f>[61†]</f>snare. </t><t>For upon Moab, upon it <f>[62†]</f>I will bring </t><t>The year of their punishment,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Those who fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon </t><t>Because of exhaustion. </t><t>But <f>[63†]</f>a fire shall come out of Heshbon, </t><t>A flame from the midst of <f>[64†]</f>Sihon, </t><t>And <f>[65†]</f>shall devour the brow of Moab, </t><t>The crown of the head of the sons of tumult.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[66†]</f>Woe to you, O Moab! </t><t>The people of Chemosh perish; </t><t>For your sons have been taken captive, </t><t>And your daughters captive.</t>


text:
<t>“Yet I will bring back the captives of Moab </t><t> <f>[67†]</f>In the latter days,” says the LORD. </t> <pb/>Thus far <i>is</i> the judgment of Moab.


text:
<pb/>Against the <f>[1†]</f>Ammonites. <pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Has Israel no sons? </t><t>Has he no heir? </t><t>Why <i>then</i> does Milcom inherit <f>[2†]</f>Gad, </t><t>And his people dwell in its cities?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[3†]</f>Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, </t><t>“That I will cause to be heard an alarm of war </t><t>In <f>[4†]</f>Rabbah of the Ammonites; </t><t>It shall be a desolate mound, </t><t>And her villages shall be burned with fire. </t><t>Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Wail, O <f>[5†]</f>Heshbon, for Ai is plundered! </t><t>Cry, you daughters of Rabbah, </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>Gird yourselves with sackcloth! </t><t>Lament and run to and fro by the walls; </t><t>For Milcom shall go into captivity </t><t>With his <f>[7†]</f>priests and his princes together.</t>


text:
<t>Why <f>[8†]</f>do you boast in the valleys, </t><t>Your flowing valley, O <f>[9†]</f>backsliding daughter? </t><t>Who trusted in her <f>[10†]</f>treasures, <f>[11†]</f><i>saying,</i> </t><t>‘Who will come against me?’</t>


text:
<t>Behold, I will bring fear upon you,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD of hosts, </t><t>“From all those who are around you; </t><t>You shall be driven out, everyone headlong, </t><t>And no one will gather those who wander off.</t>


text:
<t>But <f>[12†]</f>afterward I will bring back </t><t>The captives of the people of Ammon,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[13†]</f>Against Edom. <pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[14†]</f>“<i>Is</i> wisdom no more in Teman? </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>Has counsel perished from the prudent? </t><t>Has their wisdom <f>[16†]</f>vanished?</t>


text:
<t>Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of <f>[17†]</f>Dedan! </t><t>For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, </t><t>The time <i>that</i> I will punish him.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>If grape-gatherers came to you, </t><t>Would they not leave <i>some</i> gleaning grapes? </t><t>If thieves by night, </t><t>Would they not destroy until they have enough?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[19†]</f>But I have made Esau bare; </t><t>I have uncovered his secret places, </t><t>And he shall not be able to hide himself. </t><t>His descendants are plundered, </t><t>His brethren and his neighbors, </t><t>And <f>[20†]</f>he <i>is</i> no more.</t>


text:
<t>Leave your fatherless children, </t><t>I will preserve <i>them</i> alive; </t><t>And let your widows trust in Me.”</t>


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD: “Behold, <f>[21†]</f>those whose judgment <i>was</i> not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunk. And <i>are</i> you the one who will altogether go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you shall surely drink <i>of</i> <i>it.</i>


text:
For <f>[22†]</f>I have sworn by Myself,” says the LORD, “that <f>[23†]</f>Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse. And all its cities shall be perpetual wastes.”


text:
<pb/><t> <f>[24†]</f>I have heard a message from the LORD, </t><t>And an ambassador has been sent to the nations: </t><t>“Gather together, come against her, </t><t>And rise up to battle!</t>


text:
<t>Your fierceness has deceived you, </t><t>The <f>[25†]</f>pride of your heart, </t><t>O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, </t><t>Who hold the height of the hill! </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>Though you make your <f>[27†]</f>nest as high as the eagle, </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>I will bring you down from there,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Edom also shall be an astonishment; </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>Everyone who goes by it will be astonished </t><t>And will hiss at all its plagues.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[30†]</f>As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah </t><t>And their neighbors,” says the LORD, </t><t>“No one shall remain there, </t><t>Nor shall a son of man dwell in it.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[31†]</f> he shall come up like a lion from <f>[32†]</f>the floodplain of the Jordan </t><t>Against the dwelling place of the strong; </t><t>But I will suddenly make him run away from her. </t><t>And who <i>is</i> a chosen <i>man</i> <i>that</i> I may appoint over her? </t><t>For <f>[33†]</f>who <i>is</i> like Me? </t><t>Who will arraign Me? </t><t>And <f>[34†]</f>who <i>is</i> that shepherd </t><t>Who will withstand Me?”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[35†]</f>Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD that He has taken against Edom, </t><t>And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: </t><t>Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; </t><t>Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[36†]</f>The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; </t><t>At the cry its noise is heard at the Red Sea.</t>


text:
<t>Behold, <f>[37†]</f>He shall come up and fly like the eagle, </t><t>And spread His wings over Bozrah; </t><t>The heart of the mighty men of Edom in that day shall be </t><t>Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[38†]</f>Against Damascus. <pb/><t> <f>[39†]</f>“Hamath and Arpad are shamed, </t><t>For they have heard bad news. </t><t>They are fainthearted; </t><t> <f>[40†]</f><i>There</i> <i>is</i> trouble on the sea; </t><t>It cannot be quiet.</t>


text:
<t>Damascus has grown feeble; </t><t>She turns to flee, </t><t>And fear has seized <i>her.</i> </t><t> <f>[41†]</f>Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[43†]</f>Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, </t><t>And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,” says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[44†]</f> will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, </t><t>And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.”</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[45†]</f>Against Kedar and against the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon shall strike. <pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Arise, go up to Kedar, </t><t>And devastate <f>[46†]</f>the men of the East!</t>


text:
<t>Their <f>[47†]</f>tents and their flocks they shall take away. </t><t>They shall take for themselves their curtains, </t><t>All their vessels and their camels; </t><t>And they shall cry out to them, </t><t> <f>[48†]</f>‘Fear <i>is</i> on every side!’</t>


text:
<t>“Flee, get far away! Dwell in the depths, </t><t>O inhabitants of Hazor!” says the LORD. </t><t>“For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has taken counsel against you, </t><t>And has conceived a plan against you.</t>


text:
<t>“Arise, go up to <f>[49†]</f>the wealthy nation that dwells securely,” says the LORD, </t><t>“Which has neither gates nor bars, </t><t> <f>[50†]</f>Dwelling alone.</t>


text:
<t>Their camels shall be for booty, </t><t>And the multitude of their cattle for plunder. </t><t>I will <f>[51†]</f>scatter to all winds those in the farthest corners, </t><t>And I will bring their calamity from all its sides,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Hazor <f>[52†]</f>shall be a dwelling for jackals, a desolation forever; </t><t>No one shall reside there, </t><t>Nor son of man dwell in it.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against <f>[53†]</f>Elam, in the <f>[54†]</f>beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>‘Behold, I will break <f>[55†]</f>the bow of Elam, </t><t>The foremost of their might.</t>


text:
<t>Against Elam I will bring the four winds </t><t>From the four quarters of heaven, </t><t>And scatter them toward all those winds; </t><t>There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go.</t>


text:
<t>For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies </t><t>And before those who seek their life. </t><t> <f>[56†]</f>I will bring disaster upon them, </t><t>My fierce anger,’ says the LORD; </t><t>‘And I will send the sword after them </t><t>Until I have consumed them.</t>


text:
<t>I will <f>[57†]</f>set My throne in Elam, </t><t>And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>‘But it shall come to pass <f>[58†]</f>in the latter days: </t><t>I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the LORD.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The word that the LORD spoke <f>[1†]</f>against Babylon <i>and</i> against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.


text:
<pb/><t>“Declare among the nations, </t><t>Proclaim, and set up a standard; </t><t>Proclaim—do not conceal <i>it</i>— </t><t>Say, ‘Babylon is <f>[2†]</f>taken, <f>[3†]</f>Bel is shamed. </t><t>Merodach is broken in pieces; </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Her idols are humiliated, </t><t>Her images are broken in pieces.’</t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f>For out of the north <f>[6†]</f>a nation comes up against her, </t><t>Which shall make her land desolate, </t><t>And no one shall dwell therein. </t><t>They shall move, they shall depart, </t><t>Both man and beast.</t>


text:
<t>“In those days and in that time,” says the LORD, </t><t>“The children of Israel shall come, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>They and the children of Judah together; </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>With continual weeping they shall come, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>And seek the LORD their God.</t>


text:
<t>They shall ask the way to Zion, </t><t>With their faces toward it, <i>saying,</i> </t><t>‘Come and let us join ourselves to the LORD </t><t><i>In</i> <f>[10†]</f>a perpetual covenant </t><t><i>That</i> will not be forgotten.’</t>


text:
<t>“My people have been <f>[11†]</f>lost sheep. </t><t>Their shepherds have led them <f>[12†]</f>astray; </t><t>They have turned them away <i>on</i> <f>[13†]</f>the mountains. </t><t>They have gone from mountain to hill; </t><t>They have forgotten their resting place.</t>


text:
<t>All who found them have <f>[14†]</f>devoured them; </t><t>And <f>[15†]</f>their adversaries said, <f>[16†]</f>‘We have not offended, </t><t>Because they have sinned against the LORD, <f>[17†]</f>the habitation of justice, </t><t>The LORD, <f>[18†]</f>the hope of their fathers.’</t>


text:
<t>“Move <f>[19†]</f> from the midst of Babylon, </t><t>Go out of the land of the Chaldeans; </t><t>And be like the rams before the flocks.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[20†]</f>For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon </t><t>An assembly of great nations from the north country, </t><t>And they shall array themselves against her; </t><t>From there she shall be captured. </t><t>Their arrows <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> like <i>those</i> of an expert warrior; </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>None shall return in vain.</t>


text:
<t>And Chaldea shall become plunder; </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>All who plunder her shall be satisfied,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Because <f>[23†]</f> you were glad, because you rejoiced, </t><t>You destroyers of My heritage, </t><t>Because you have grown fat <f>[24†]</f>like a heifer threshing grain, </t><t>And you bellow like bulls,</t>


text:
<t>Your mother shall be deeply ashamed; </t><t>She who bore you shall be ashamed. </t><t>Behold, the least of the nations <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> a <f>[25†]</f>wilderness, </t><t>A dry land and a desert.</t>


text:
<t>Because of the wrath of the LORD </t><t>She shall not be inhabited, </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>But she shall be wholly desolate. </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>Everyone who goes by Babylon shall be horrified </t><t>And hiss at all her plagues.</t>


text:
<t>“Put <f>[28†]</f> yourselves in array against Babylon all around, </t><t>All you who bend the bow; </t><t>Shoot at her, spare no arrows, </t><t>For she has sinned against the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>Shout against her all around; </t><t>She has <f>[29†]</f>given her hand, </t><t>Her foundations have fallen, </t><t> <f>[30†]</f>Her walls are thrown down; </t><t>For <f>[31†]</f>it <i>is</i> the vengeance of the LORD. </t><t>Take vengeance on her. </t><t>As she has done, so do to her.</t>


text:
<t>Cut off the sower from Babylon, </t><t>And him who handles the sickle at harvest time. </t><t>For fear of the oppressing sword </t><t> <f>[32†]</f>Everyone shall turn to his own people, </t><t>And everyone shall flee to his own land.</t>


text:
<t>“Israel <i>is</i> like <f>[33†]</f>scattered sheep; </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>The lions have driven <i>him</i> away. </t><t>First <f>[35†]</f>the king of Assyria devoured him; </t><t>Now at last this <f>[36†]</f>Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: <pb/><t>“Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, </t><t>As I have punished the king of <f>[37†]</f>Assyria.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[38†]</f>But I will bring back Israel to his home, </t><t>And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; </t><t>His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead.</t>


text:
<t>In those days and in that time,” says the LORD, </t><t> <f>[39†]</f>“The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but <i>there</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> none; </t><t>And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; </t><t>For I will pardon those <f>[40†]</f>whom I preserve.</t>


text:
<t>“Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it, </t><t>And against the inhabitants of <f>[41†]</f>Pekod. </t><t>Waste and utterly destroy them,” says the LORD, </t><t>“And do <f>[42†]</f>according to all that I have commanded you.</t>


text:
<t>How <f>[44†]</f>the hammer of the whole earth has been cut apart and broken! </t><t>How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations!</t>


text:
<t>I have laid a snare for you; </t><t>You have indeed been <f>[45†]</f>trapped, O Babylon, </t><t>And you were not aware; </t><t>You have been found and also caught, </t><t>Because you have <f>[46†]</f>contended against the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has opened His armory, </t><t>And has brought out <f>[47†]</f>the weapons of His indignation; </t><t>For this <i>is</i> the work of the Lord GOD of hosts </t><t>In the land of the Chaldeans.</t>


text:
<t>Come against her from the farthest border; </t><t>Open her storehouses; </t><t>Cast her up as heaps of ruins, </t><t>And destroy her utterly; </t><t>Let nothing of her be left.</t>


text:
<t>Slay all her <f>[48†]</f>bulls, </t><t>Let them go down to the slaughter. </t><t>Woe to them! </t><t>For their day has come, the time of <f>[49†]</f>their punishment.</t>


text:
<t>The voice of those who flee and escape from the land of Babylon </t><t> <f>[50†]</f>Declares in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, </t><t>The vengeance of His temple.</t>


text:
<t>“Call together the archers against Babylon. </t><t>All you who bend the bow, encamp against it all around; </t><t>Let none of them escape. </t><t> <f>[51†]</f>Repay her according to her work; </t><t>According to all she has done, do to her; </t><t> <f>[52†]</f>For she has been proud against the LORD, </t><t>Against the Holy One of Israel.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[53†]</f>Therefore her young men shall fall in the streets, </t><t>And all her men of war shall be cut off in that day,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, </t><t>O most haughty one!” says the Lord GOD of hosts; </t><t>“For your day has come, </t><t>The time <i>that</i> I will punish you.</t>


text:
<t>The most <f>[54†]</f>proud shall stumble and fall, </t><t>And no one will raise him up; </t><t> <f>[55†]</f>I will kindle a fire in his cities, </t><t>And it will devour all around him.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>“The children of Israel <i>were</i> oppressed, </t><t>Along with the children of Judah; </t><t>All who took them captive have held them fast; </t><t>They have refused to let them go.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[56†]</f>Their Redeemer <i>is</i> strong; </t><t> <f>[57†]</f>The LORD of hosts <i>is</i> His name. </t><t>He will thoroughly plead their <f>[58†]</f>case, </t><t>That He may give rest to the land, </t><t>And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.</t>


text:
<t>“A sword <i>is</i> against the Chaldeans,” says the LORD, </t><t>“Against the inhabitants of Babylon, </t><t>And <f>[59†]</f>against her princes and <f>[60†]</f>her wise men.</t>


text:
<t>A sword <i>is</i> <f>[61†]</f>against the soothsayers, and they will be fools. </t><t>A sword <i>is</i> against her mighty men, and they will be dismayed.</t>


text:
<t>A sword <i>is</i> against their horses, </t><t>Against their chariots, </t><t>And against all <f>[62†]</f>the mixed peoples who <i>are</i> in her midst; </t><t>And <f>[63†]</f>they will become like women. </t><t>A sword <i>is</i> against her treasures, and they will be robbed.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[64†]</f>A drought <i>is</i> against her waters, and they will be dried up. </t><t>For it <i>is</i> the land of carved images, </t><t>And they are insane with <i>their</i> idols.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore <f>[65†]</f> the wild desert beasts shall dwell <i>there</i> with the jackals, </t><t>And the ostriches shall dwell in it. </t><t> <f>[66†]</f>It shall be inhabited no more forever, </t><t>Nor shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[67†]</f>As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah </t><t>And their neighbors,” says the LORD, </t><t>“<i>So</i> no one shall reside there, </t><t>Nor son of man <f>[68†]</f>dwell in it.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[69†]</f> a people shall come from the north, </t><t>And a great nation and many kings </t><t>Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[70†]</f>They shall hold the bow and the lance; </t><t> <f>[71†]</f>They <i>are</i> cruel and shall not show mercy. </t><t> <f>[72†]</f>Their voice shall roar like the sea; </t><t>They shall ride on horses, </t><t>Set in array, like a man for the battle, </t><t>Against you, O daughter of Babylon.</t>


text:
<t>“The king of Babylon has <f>[73†]</f>heard the report about them, </t><t>And his hands grow feeble; </t><t>Anguish has taken hold of him, </t><t>Pangs as of a woman in <f>[74†]</f>childbirth.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[75†]</f> he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan </t><t>Against the dwelling place of the strong; </t><t>But I will make them suddenly run away from her. </t><t>And who <i>is</i> a chosen <i>man</i> <i>that</i> I may appoint over her? </t><t>For who <i>is</i> like Me? </t><t>Who will arraign Me? </t><t>And <f>[76†]</f>who <i>is</i> that shepherd </t><t>Who will withstand Me?”</t>


text:
<t>Therefore hear <f>[77†]</f>the counsel of the LORD that He has taken against Babylon, </t><t>And His <f>[78†]</f>purposes that He has proposed against the land of the Chaldeans: </t><t> <f>[79†]</f>Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; </t><t>Surely He will make their dwelling place desolate with them.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[80†]</f>At the noise of the taking of Babylon </t><t>The earth trembles, </t><t>And the cry is heard among the nations.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Behold, I will raise up against <f>[1†]</f>Babylon, </t><t>Against those who dwell in Leb Kamai, </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>A destroying wind.</t>


text:
<t>And I will send <f>[3†]</f>winnowers to Babylon, </t><t>Who shall winnow her and empty her land. </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>For in the day of doom </t><t>They shall be against her all around.</t>


text:
<t>Against <i>her</i> <f>[5†]</f>let the archer bend his bow, </t><t>And lift himself up against <i>her</i> in his armor. </t><t>Do not spare her young men; </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>Utterly destroy all her army.</t>


text:
<t>Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>And <i>those</i> thrust through in her streets.</t>


text:
<t>For Israel is <f>[8†]</f>not forsaken, nor Judah, </t><t>By his God, the LORD of hosts, </t><t>Though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Flee from the midst of Babylon, </t><t>And every one save his life! </t><t>Do not be cut off in her iniquity, </t><t>For <f>[10†]</f>this <i>is</i> the time of the LORD’s vengeance; </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>He shall recompense her.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f>Babylon <i>was</i> a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, </t><t>That made all the earth drunk. </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>The nations drank her wine; </t><t>Therefore the nations <f>[14†]</f>are deranged.</t>


text:
<t>Babylon has suddenly <f>[15†]</f>fallen and been destroyed. </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Wail for her! </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Take balm for her pain; </t><t>Perhaps she may be healed.</t>


text:
<t>We would have healed Babylon, </t><t>But she is not healed. </t><t>Forsake her, and <f>[18†]</f>let us go everyone to his own country; </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>For her judgment reaches to heaven and is lifted up to the skies.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has <f>[20†]</f>revealed our righteousness. </t><t>Come and let us <f>[21†]</f>declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>Make the arrows bright! </t><t>Gather the shields! </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>The LORD has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>For His plan <i>is</i> against Babylon to destroy it, </t><t>Because it <i>is</i> <f>[25†]</f>the vengeance of the LORD, </t><t>The vengeance for His temple.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[26†]</f>Set up the standard on the walls of Babylon; </t><t>Make the guard strong, </t><t>Set up the watchmen, </t><t>Prepare the ambushes. </t><t>For the LORD has both devised and done </t><t>What He spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[27†]</f>O you who dwell by many waters, </t><t>Abundant in treasures, </t><t>Your end has come, </t><t>The measure of your covetousness.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[28†]</f>The LORD of hosts has sworn by Himself: </t><t>“Surely I will fill you with men, <f>[29†]</f>as with locusts, </t><t>And they shall lift <f>[30†]</f>up a shout against you.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[31†]</f>He has made the earth by His power; </t><t>He has established the world by His wisdom, </t><t>And <f>[32†]</f>stretched out the heaven by His understanding.</t>


text:
<t>When He utters <i>His</i> voice— </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> a multitude of waters in the heavens: </t><t> <f>[33†]</f>“He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; </t><t>He makes lightnings for the rain; </t><t>He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[34†]</f>Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; </t><t>Every metalsmith is put to shame by the carved image; </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>For his molded image <i>is</i> falsehood, </t><t>And <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no breath in them.</t>


text:
<t>The Portion of Jacob <i>is</i> not like them, </t><t>For He <i>is</i> the Maker of all things; </t><t>And <i>Israel</i> <i>is</i> the tribe of His inheritance. </t><t>The LORD of hosts <i>is</i> His name.</t>


text:
<t>“You <f>[36†]</f> <i>are</i> My battle-ax <i>and</i> weapons of war: </t><t>For with you I will break the nation in pieces; </t><t>With you I will destroy kingdoms;</t>


text:
<t>With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; </t><t>With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider;</t>


text:
<t>With you also I will break in pieces man and woman; </t><t>With you I will break in pieces <f>[37†]</f>old and young; </t><t>With you I will break in pieces the young man and the maiden;</t>


text:
<t>With you also I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; </t><t>With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke of oxen; </t><t>And with you I will break in pieces governors and rulers.</t>


text:
<t>“And <f>[38†]</f> I will repay Babylon </t><t>And all the inhabitants of Chaldea </t><t>For all the evil they have done </t><t>In Zion in your sight,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, <f>[39†]</f>O destroying mountain, </t><t>Who destroys all the earth,” says the LORD. </t><t>“And I will stretch out My hand against you, </t><t>Roll you down from the rocks, </t><t> <f>[40†]</f>And make you a burnt mountain.</t>


text:
<t>They shall not take from you a stone for a corner </t><t>Nor a stone for a foundation, </t><t> <f>[41†]</f>But you shall be desolate forever,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[42†]</f>Set up a banner in the land, </t><t>Blow the trumpet among the nations! </t><t> <f>[43†]</f>Prepare the nations against her, </t><t>Call <f>[44†]</f>the kingdoms together against her: </t><t>Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. </t><t>Appoint a general against her; </t><t>Cause the horses to come up like the bristling locusts.</t>


text:
<t>Prepare against her the nations, </t><t>With the kings of the Medes, </t><t>Its governors and all its rulers, </t><t>All the land of his dominion.</t>


text:
<t>And the land will tremble and sorrow; </t><t>For every <f>[45†]</f>purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, </t><t> <f>[46†]</f>To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant.</t>


text:
<t>The mighty men of Babylon have ceased fighting, </t><t>They have remained in their strongholds; </t><t>Their might has failed, </t><t> <f>[47†]</f>They became <i>like</i> women; </t><t>They have burned her dwelling places, </t><t> <f>[48†]</f>The bars of her <i>gate</i> are broken.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[49†]</f>One runner will run to meet another, </t><t>And one messenger to meet another, </t><t>To show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on <i>all</i> sides;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[50†]</f>The passages are blocked, </t><t>The reeds they have burned with fire, </t><t>And the men of war are terrified.</t>


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: <pb/><t>“The daughter of Babylon <i>is</i> <f>[51†]</f>like a threshing floor </t><t><i>When</i> <f>[52†]</f>it is time to thresh her; </t><t>Yet a little while </t><t> <f>[53†]</f>And the time of her harvest will come.”</t>


text:
<t>“Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon </t><t>Has <f>[54†]</f>devoured me, he has crushed me; </t><t>He has made me an <f>[55†]</f>empty vessel, </t><t>He has swallowed me up like a monster; </t><t>He has filled his stomach with my delicacies, </t><t>He has spit me out.</t>


text:
<t>Let the violence <i>done</i> to me and my flesh <i>be</i> upon Babylon,” </t><t>The inhabitant of Zion will say; </t><t>“And my blood be upon the inhabitants of Chaldea!” </t><t>Jerusalem will say.</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Behold, <f>[56†]</f>I will plead your case and take vengeance for you. </t><t> <f>[57†]</f>I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[58†]</f>Babylon shall become a heap, </t><t>A dwelling place for jackals, </t><t> <f>[59†]</f>An astonishment and a hissing, </t><t>Without an inhabitant.</t>


text:
<t>In their excitement I will prepare their feasts; </t><t> <f>[60†]</f>I will make them drunk, </t><t>That they may rejoice, </t><t>And sleep a perpetual sleep </t><t>And not awake,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“I will bring them down </t><t>Like lambs to the slaughter, </t><t>Like rams with male goats.</t>


text:
<t>“Oh, how <f>[61†]</f>Sheshach is taken! </t><t>Oh, how <f>[62†]</f>the praise of the whole earth is seized! </t><t>How Babylon has become desolate among the nations!</t>


text:
<t> <f>[63†]</f>The sea has come up over Babylon; </t><t>She is covered with the multitude of its waves.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[64†]</f>Her cities are a desolation, </t><t>A dry land and a wilderness, </t><t>A land where <f>[65†]</f>no one dwells, </t><t>Through which no son of man passes.</t>


text:
<t>I will punish <f>[66†]</f>Bel in Babylon, </t><t>And I will bring out of his mouth what he has swallowed; </t><t>And the nations shall not stream to him anymore. </t><t>Yes, <f>[67†]</f>the wall of Babylon shall fall.</t>


text:
<t>“My <f>[68†]</f> people, go out of the midst of her! </t><t>And let everyone deliver himself from the fierce anger of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>And lest your heart faint, </t><t>And you fear <f>[69†]</f>for the rumor that <i>will</i> <i>be</i> heard in the land </t><t>(A rumor will come <i>one</i> year, </t><t>And after that, in <i>another</i> year </t><t>A rumor <i>will</i> <i>come,</i> </t><t>And violence in the land, </t><t>Ruler against ruler),</t>


text:
<t>Therefore behold, the days are coming </t><t>That I will bring judgment on the carved images of Babylon; </t><t>Her whole land shall be ashamed, </t><t>And all her slain shall fall in her midst.</t>


text:
<t>Then <f>[70†]</f>the heavens and the earth and all that <i>is</i> in them </t><t>Shall sing joyously over Babylon; </t><t> <f>[71†]</f>For the plunderers shall come to her from the north,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>As Babylon <i>has</i> <i>caused</i> the slain of Israel to fall, </t><t>So at Babylon the slain of all the earth shall fall.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[72†]</f>You who have escaped the sword, </t><t>Get away! Do not stand still! </t><t> <f>[73†]</f>Remember the LORD afar off, </t><t>And let Jerusalem come to your mind.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[74†]</f>We are ashamed because we have heard reproach. </t><t>Shame has covered our faces, </t><t>For strangers <f>[75†]</f>have come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’s house.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, </t><t>“That I will bring judgment on her carved images, </t><t>And throughout all her land the wounded shall groan.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[76†]</f>Though Babylon were to mount up to heaven, </t><t>And though she were to fortify the height of her strength, </t><t><i>Yet</i> from Me plunderers would come to her,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[77†]</f>The sound of a cry <i>comes</i> from Babylon, </t><t>And great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans,</t>


text:
<t>Because the LORD is plundering Babylon </t><t>And silencing her loud voice, </t><t>Though her waves roar like great waters, </t><t>And the noise of their voice is uttered,</t>


text:
<t>Because the plunderer comes against her, against Babylon, </t><t>And her mighty men are taken. </t><t>Every one of their bows is broken; </t><t> <f>[78†]</f>For the LORD <i>is</i> the God of recompense, </t><t>He will surely repay.</t>


text:
<t>“And I will make drunk </t><t>Her princes and <f>[79†]</f>wise men, </t><t>Her governors, her deputies, and her mighty men. </t><t>And they shall sleep a perpetual sleep </t><t>And not awake,” says <f>[80†]</f>the King, </t><t>Whose name <i>is</i> the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>“The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly <f>[81†]</f>broken, </t><t>And her high gates shall be burned with fire; </t><t> <f>[82†]</f>The people will labor in vain, </t><t>And the nations, because of the fire; </t><t>And they shall be weary.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of <f>[83†]</f>Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And Seraiah <i>was</i> the quartermaster.


text:
So Jeremiah <f>[84†]</f>wrote in a book all the evil that would come upon Babylon, all these words that are written against Babylon.


text:
then you shall say, ‘O LORD, You have spoken against this place to cut it off, so that <f>[85†]</f>none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but it shall be desolate forever.’


text:
Now it shall be, when you have finished reading this book, <f>[86†]</f><i>that</i> you shall tie a stone to it and throw it out into the Euphrates.


text:
Then you shall say, ‘Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary.’ ” <pb/>Thus far <i>are</i> the words of Jeremiah.


text:
<pb/>Zedekiah <i>was</i> <f>[1†]</f>twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of <f>[2†]</f>Libnah.


text:
For because of the anger of the LORD <i>this</i> happened in Jerusalem and Judah, till He finally cast them out from His presence. Then Zedekiah <f>[3†]</f>rebelled against the king of Babylon.


text:
<pb/>Now it came to pass in the <f>[4†]</f>ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and encamped against it; and <i>they</i> built a siege wall against it all around.


text:
By the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the famine had become so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.


text:
Then the city <i>wall</i> was broken through, and all the men of war fled and went out of the city at night by way of the gate between the two walls, which <i>was</i> by the king’s garden, even though the Chaldeans <i>were</i> near the city all around. And they went by way of the plain.


text:
<pb/>But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and they overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. All his army was scattered from him.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>So they took the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he pronounced judgment on him.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. And he killed all the princes of Judah in Riblah.


text:
He also <f>[7†]</f>put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in bronze fetters, took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.


text:
<pb/> <f>[8†]</f>Now in the fifth month, on the tenth <i>day</i> of the month ( <f>[9†]</f>which <i>was</i> the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), <f>[10†]</f>Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, <i>who</i> served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.


text:
He burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire.


text:
And all the army of the Chaldeans who <i>were</i> with the captain of the guard broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all around.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive <i>some</i> of the poor people, the rest of the people who remained in the city, the defectors who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the craftsmen.


text:
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left <i>some</i> of the poor of the land as vinedressers and farmers.


text:
<pb/> <f>[12†]</f>The <f>[13†]</f>bronze pillars that <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD, and the carts and the bronze Sea that <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried all their bronze to Babylon.


text:
They also took away <f>[14†]</f>the pots, the shovels, the trimmers, the bowls, the spoons, and all the bronze utensils with which the <i>priests</i> ministered.


text:
The basins, the firepans, the bowls, the pots, the lampstands, the spoons, and the cups, whatever <i>was</i> solid gold and whatever <i>was</i> solid silver, the captain of the guard took away.


text:
The two pillars, one Sea, the twelve bronze bulls which <i>were</i> under <i>it, and</i> the carts, which King Solomon had made for the house of the LORD— <f>[15†]</f>the bronze of all these articles was beyond measure.


text:
Now <i>concerning</i> the <f>[16†]</f>pillars: the height of one pillar <i>was</i> eighteen cubits, a measuring line of twelve cubits could measure its circumference, and its thickness <i>was</i> four fingers; <i>it</i> <i>was</i> hollow.


text:
A capital of bronze <i>was</i> on it; and the height of one capital <i>was</i> five cubits, with a network and pomegranates all around the capital, all of bronze. The second pillar, with pomegranates was the same.


text:
There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; <f>[17†]</f>all the pomegranates, all around on the network, <i>were</i> one hundred.


text:
<pb/> <f>[18†]</f>The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, <f>[19†]</f>Zephaniah the second priest, and the three doorkeepers.


text:
He also took out of the city an officer who had charge of the men of war, seven men of the king’s close associates who were found in the city, the principal scribe of the army who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the midst of the city.


text:
And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took these and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.


text:
Then the king of Babylon struck them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive from its own land.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>These <i>are</i> the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: <f>[21†]</f>in the seventh year, <f>[22†]</f>three thousand and twenty-three Jews;


text:
<f>[23†]</f>in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred and thirty-two persons;


text:
in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred and forty-five persons. All the persons <i>were</i> four thousand six hundred.


text:
<pb/> <f>[24†]</f>Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the <i>first</i> year of his reign, <f>[25†]</f>lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison.


text:
And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who <i>were</i> with him in Babylon.


text:
So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, <f>[26†]</f>and he ate bread regularly before the <i>king</i> all the days of his life.


text:
And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, all the days of his life.


text:
<pb/><t>How lonely sits the city </t><t><i>That</i> <i>was</i> full of people! </t><t> <f>[1†]</f><i>How</i> like a widow is she, </t><t>Who <i>was</i> great among the nations! </t><t>The <f>[2†]</f>princess among the provinces </t><t>Has become a slave!</t>


text:
<t>She <f>[3†]</f>weeps bitterly in the <f>[4†]</f>night, </t><t>Her tears <i>are</i> on her cheeks; </t><t>Among all her lovers </t><t>She has none to comfort <i>her.</i> </t><t>All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; </t><t>They have become her enemies.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f>Judah has gone into captivity, </t><t>Under affliction and hard servitude; </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>She dwells among the nations, </t><t>She finds no <f>[7†]</f>rest; </t><t>All her persecutors overtake her in dire straits.</t>


text:
<t>The roads to Zion mourn </t><t>Because no one comes to the set feasts. </t><t>All her gates are <f>[8†]</f>desolate; </t><t>Her priests sigh, </t><t>Her virgins are afflicted, </t><t>And she <i>is</i> in bitterness.</t>


text:
<t>Her adversaries <f>[9†]</f>have become the master, </t><t>Her enemies prosper; </t><t>For the LORD has afflicted her </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>Because of the multitude of her transgressions. </t><t>Her <f>[11†]</f>children have gone into captivity before the enemy.</t>


text:
<t>And from the daughter of Zion </t><t>All her splendor has departed. </t><t>Her princes have become like deer </t><t><i>That</i> find no pasture, </t><t>That flee without strength </t><t>Before the pursuer.</t>


text:
<t>In the days of her affliction and roaming, </t><t>Jerusalem <f>[12†]</f>remembers all her pleasant things </t><t>That she had in the days of old. </t><t>When her people fell into the hand of the enemy, </t><t>With no one to help her, </t><t>The adversaries saw her </t><t><i>And</i> mocked at her downfall.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>Jerusalem has sinned gravely, </t><t>Therefore she has become vile. </t><t>All who honored her despise her </t><t>Because <f>[14†]</f>they have seen her nakedness; </t><t>Yes, she sighs and turns away.</t>


text:
<t>Her uncleanness <i>is</i> in her skirts; </t><t>She <f>[15†]</f>did not consider her destiny; </t><t>Therefore her collapse was awesome; </t><t>She had no comforter. </t><t>“O LORD, behold my affliction, </t><t>For <i>the</i> enemy is exalted!”</t>


text:
<t>The adversary has spread his hand </t><t>Over all her pleasant things; </t><t>For she has seen <f>[16†]</f>the nations enter her sanctuary, </t><t>Those whom You commanded </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Not to enter Your assembly.</t>


text:
<t>All her people sigh, </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>They seek bread; </t><t>They have given their valuables for food to restore life. </t><t>“See, O LORD, and consider, </t><t>For I am scorned.”</t>


text:
<t>“<i>Is</i> <i>it</i> nothing to you, all you who pass by? </t><t>Behold and see </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>If there is any sorrow like my sorrow, </t><t>Which has been brought on me, </t><t>Which the LORD has inflicted </t><t>In the day of His fierce anger.</t>


text:
<t>“From above He has sent fire into my bones, </t><t>And it overpowered them; </t><t>He has <f>[20†]</f>spread a net for my feet </t><t>And turned me back; </t><t>He has made me desolate </t><t><i>And</i> faint all the day.</t>


text:
<t>“The <f>[21†]</f> yoke of my transgressions was bound; </t><t>They were woven together by His hands, </t><t><i>And</i> thrust upon my neck. </t><t>He made my strength fail; </t><t>The Lord delivered me into the hands of <i>those</i> <i>whom</i> I am not able to withstand.</t>


text:
<t>“The Lord has trampled underfoot all my mighty <i>men</i> in my midst; </t><t>He has called an assembly against me </t><t>To crush my young men; </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>The Lord trampled <i>as</i> in a winepress </t><t>The virgin daughter of Judah.</t>


text:
<t>“For these <i>things</i> I weep; </t><t>My eye, <f>[23†]</f>my eye overflows with water; </t><t>Because the comforter, who should restore my life, </t><t>Is far from me. </t><t>My children are desolate </t><t>Because the enemy prevailed.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>Zion spreads out her hands, </t><t><i>But</i> no one comforts her; </t><t>The LORD has commanded concerning Jacob </t><t><i>That</i> those <f>[25†]</f>around him <i>become</i> his adversaries; </t><t>Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them.</t>


text:
<t>“The LORD is <f>[26†]</f>righteous, </t><t>For I <f>[27†]</f>rebelled against His commandment. </t><t>Hear now, all peoples, </t><t>And behold my sorrow; </t><t>My virgins and my young men </t><t>Have gone into captivity.</t>


text:
<t>“I called for my lovers, </t><t><i>But</i> they deceived me; </t><t>My priests and my elders </t><t>Breathed their last in the city, </t><t>While they sought food </t><t>To restore their life.</t>


text:
<t>“See, O LORD, that I <i>am</i> in distress; </t><t>My <f>[28†]</f>soul is troubled; </t><t>My heart is overturned within me, </t><t>For I have been very rebellious. </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>Outside the sword bereaves, </t><t>At home <i>it</i> <i>is</i> like death.</t>


text:
<t>“They have heard that I sigh, </t><t><i>But</i> no one comforts me. </t><t>All my enemies have heard of my trouble; </t><t>They are <f>[30†]</f>glad that You have done <i>it.</i> </t><t>Bring on <f>[31†]</f>the day You have announced, </t><t>That they may become like me.</t>


text:
<t>“Let <f>[32†]</f> all their wickedness come before You, </t><t>And do to them as You have done to me </t><t>For all my transgressions; </t><t>For my sighs <i>are</i> many, </t><t>And my heart <i>is</i> faint.”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion </t><t>With a <f>[1†]</f>cloud in His anger! </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>He cast down from heaven to the earth </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>The beauty of Israel, </t><t>And did not remember <f>[4†]</f>His footstool </t><t>In the day of His anger.</t>


text:
<t>The Lord has swallowed up and has <f>[5†]</f>not pitied </t><t>All the dwelling places of Jacob. </t><t>He has thrown down in His wrath </t><t>The strongholds of the daughter of Judah; </t><t>He has brought <i>them</i> down to the ground; </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>He has profaned the kingdom and its princes.</t>


text:
<t>He has cut off in fierce anger </t><t>Every horn of Israel; </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>He has drawn back His right hand </t><t>From before the enemy. </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>He has blazed against Jacob like a flaming fire </t><t>Devouring all around.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Standing like an enemy, He has bent His bow; </t><t>With His right hand, like an adversary, </t><t>He has slain <f>[10†]</f>all <i>who</i> <i>were</i> pleasing to His eye; </t><t>On the tent of the daughter of Zion, </t><t>He has poured out His fury like fire.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>The Lord was like an enemy. </t><t>He has swallowed up Israel, </t><t>He has swallowed up all her palaces; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>He has destroyed her strongholds, </t><t>And has increased mourning and lamentation </t><t>In the daughter of Judah.</t>


text:
<t>He has done violence <f>[13†]</f>to His tabernacle, </t><t> <f>[14†]</f><i>As</i> <i>if</i> <i>it</i> <i>were</i> a garden; </t><t>He has destroyed His place of assembly; </t><t>The LORD has caused </t><t>The appointed feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion. </t><t>In His burning indignation He has <f>[15†]</f>spurned the king and the priest.</t>


text:
<t>The Lord has spurned His altar, </t><t>He has <f>[16†]</f>abandoned His sanctuary; </t><t>He has given up the walls of her palaces </t><t>Into the hand of the enemy. </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>They have made a noise in the house of the LORD </t><t>As on the day of a set feast.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has purposed to destroy </t><t>The <f>[18†]</f>wall of the daughter of Zion. </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>He has stretched out a line; </t><t>He has not withdrawn His hand from destroying; </t><t>Therefore He has caused the rampart and wall to lament; </t><t>They languished together.</t>


text:
<t>Her gates have sunk into the ground; </t><t>He has destroyed and <f>[20†]</f>broken her bars. </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>Her king and her princes <i>are</i> among the nations; </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>The Law <i>is</i> no <i>more,</i> </t><t>And her <f>[23†]</f>prophets find no vision from the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>The elders of the daughter of Zion </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>Sit on the ground <i>and</i> keep silence; </t><t>They <f>[25†]</f>throw dust on their heads </t><t>And <f>[26†]</f>gird themselves with sackcloth. </t><t>The virgins of Jerusalem </t><t>Bow their heads to the ground.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[27†]</f>My eyes fail with tears, </t><t>My heart is troubled; </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>My bile is poured on the ground </t><t>Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, </t><t>Because <f>[29†]</f>the children and the infants </t><t>Faint in the streets of the city.</t>


text:
<t>They say to their mothers, </t><t>“Where <i>is</i> grain and wine?” </t><t>As they swoon like the wounded </t><t>In the streets of the city, </t><t>As their life is poured out </t><t>In their mothers’ bosom.</t>


text:
<t>How shall I <f>[30†]</f>console you? </t><t>To what shall I liken you, </t><t>O daughter of Jerusalem? </t><t>What shall I compare with you, that I may comfort you, </t><t>O virgin daughter of Zion? </t><t>For your ruin <i>is</i> spread wide as the sea; </t><t>Who can heal you?</t>


text:
<t>Your <f>[31†]</f>prophets have seen for you </t><t>False and deceptive visions; </t><t>They have not <f>[32†]</f>uncovered your iniquity, </t><t>To bring back your captives, </t><t>But have envisioned for you false <f>[33†]</f>prophecies and delusions.</t>


text:
<t>All who pass by <f>[34†]</f>clap <i>their</i> hands at you; </t><t>They hiss <f>[35†]</f>and shake their heads </t><t>At the daughter of Jerusalem: </t><t>“<i>Is</i> this the city that is called </t><t> <f>[36†]</f>‘The perfection of beauty, </t><t>The joy of the whole earth’?”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[37†]</f>All your enemies have opened their mouth against you; </t><t>They hiss and gnash <i>their</i> teeth. </t><t>They say, <f>[38†]</f>“We have swallowed <i>her</i> up! </t><t>Surely this <i>is</i> the <f>[39†]</f>day we have waited for; </t><t>We have found <i>it,</i> <f>[40†]</f>we have seen <i>it!</i>”</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has done what He <f>[41†]</f>purposed; </t><t>He has fulfilled His word </t><t>Which He commanded in days of old. </t><t>He has thrown down and has not pitied, </t><t>And He has caused an enemy to <f>[42†]</f>rejoice over you; </t><t>He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.</t>


text:
<t>Their heart cried out to the Lord, </t><t>“O wall of the daughter of Zion, </t><t> <f>[43†]</f>Let tears run down like a river day and night; </t><t>Give yourself no relief; </t><t>Give your eyes no rest.</t>


text:
<t>“Arise, <f>[44†]</f>cry out in the night, </t><t>At the beginning of the watches; </t><t> <f>[45†]</f>Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. </t><t>Lift your hands toward Him </t><t>For the life of your young children, </t><t>Who faint from hunger <f>[46†]</f>at the head of every street.”</t>


text:
<t>“See, O LORD, and consider! </t><t>To whom have You done this? </t><t> <f>[47†]</f>Should the women eat their offspring, </t><t>The children they have cuddled? </t><t>Should the priest and prophet be slain </t><t>In the sanctuary of the Lord?</t>


text:
<t>“Young <f>[48†]</f> and old lie </t><t>On the ground in the streets; </t><t>My virgins and my young men </t><t>Have fallen by the <f>[49†]</f>sword; </t><t>You have slain <i>them</i> in the day of Your anger, </t><t>You have slaughtered <i>and</i> not pitied.</t>


text:
<t>“You have invited as to a feast day </t><t> <f>[50†]</f>The terrors that surround me. </t><t>In the day of the LORD’s anger </t><t>There was no refugee or survivor. </t><t> <f>[51†]</f>Those whom I have borne and brought up </t><t>My enemies have <f>[52†]</f>destroyed.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>He <i>has</i> <i>been</i> to me a bear lying in wait, </t><t><i>Like</i> a lion in ambush.</t>


text:
<t>He has turned aside my ways and <f>[7†]</f>torn me in pieces; </t><t>He has made me desolate.</t>


text:
<t>I have become the <f>[10†]</f>ridicule of all my people— </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Their taunting song all the day.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f><i>Through</i> the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, </t><t>Because His compassions <f>[18†]</f>fail not.</t>


text:
<t><i>They</i> <i>are</i> new <f>[19†]</f>every morning; </t><t>Great <i>is</i> Your faithfulness.</t>


text:
<t>“The LORD <i>is</i> my <f>[20†]</f>portion,” says my soul, </t><t>“Therefore I <f>[21†]</f>hope in Him!”</t>


text:
<t>The LORD <i>is</i> good to those who <f>[22†]</f>wait for Him, </t><t>To the soul <i>who</i> seeks Him.</t>


text:
<t><i>It</i> <i>is</i> good that <i>one</i> should <f>[23†]</f>hope <f>[24†]</f>and wait quietly </t><t>For the salvation of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[26†]</f>Let him sit alone and keep silent, </t><t>Because <i>God</i> has laid <i>it</i> on him;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[28†]</f>Let him give <i>his</i> cheek to the one who strikes him, </t><t><i>And</i> be full of reproach.</t>


text:
<t>Though He causes grief, </t><t>Yet He will show compassion </t><t>According to the multitude of His mercies.</t>


text:
<t>Who <i>is</i> he <f>[32†]</f><i>who</i> speaks and it comes to pass, </t><t><i>When</i> the Lord has not commanded <i>it?</i></t>


text:
<t><i>Is</i> <i>it</i> not from the mouth of the Most High </t><t>That <f>[33†]</f>woe and well-being proceed?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[34†]</f>Why should a living man complain, </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>A man for the punishment of his sins?</t>


text:
<t>You have covered <i>Yourself</i> with anger </t><t>And pursued us; </t><t>You have slain <i>and</i> not pitied.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[40†]</f>Fear and a snare have come upon us, </t><t> <f>[41†]</f>Desolation and destruction.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[42†]</f>My eyes overflow with rivers of water </t><t>For the destruction of the daughter of my people.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[52†]</f>You have heard my voice: </t><t>“Do not hide Your ear </t><t>From my sighing, from my cry for help.”</t>


text:
<t>You <f>[53†]</f>drew near on the day I called on You, </t><t>And said, <f>[54†]</f>“Do not fear!”</t>


text:
<t>O Lord, You have <f>[55†]</f>pleaded the case for my soul; </t><t> <f>[56†]</f>You have redeemed my life.</t>


text:
<t>Look at their <f>[59†]</f>sitting down and their rising up; </t><t>I <i>am</i> their taunting song.</t>


text:
<t>In Your anger, </t><t>Pursue and destroy them </t><t> <f>[61†]</f>From under the heavens of the <f>[62†]</f>LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>How the gold has become dim! </t><t><i>How</i> changed the fine gold! </t><t>The stones of the sanctuary are scattered </t><t>At the head of every street.</t>


text:
<t>The precious sons of Zion, </t><t>Valuable as fine gold, </t><t>How they are regarded <f>[1†]</f>as clay pots, </t><t>The work of the hands of the potter!</t>


text:
<t>Even the jackals present their breasts </t><t>To nurse their young; </t><t><i>But</i> the daughter of my people <i>is</i> cruel, </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>Like ostriches in the wilderness.</t>


text:
<t>The tongue of the infant clings </t><t>To the roof of its mouth for thirst; </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>The young children ask for bread, </t><t><i>But</i> no one breaks <i>it</i> for them.</t>


text:
<t>Those who ate delicacies </t><t>Are desolate in the streets; </t><t>Those who were brought up in scarlet </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Embrace ash heaps.</t>


text:
<t>The punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people </t><t>Is greater than the punishment of the <f>[5†]</f>sin of Sodom, </t><t>Which was <f>[6†]</f>overthrown in a moment, </t><t>With no hand to help her!</t>


text:
<t>Her Nazirites were brighter than snow </t><t>And whiter than milk; </t><t>They were more ruddy in body than rubies, </t><t><i>Like</i> sapphire in their appearance.</t>


text:
<t><i>Now</i> their appearance is blacker than soot; </t><t>They go unrecognized in the streets; </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>Their skin clings to their bones, </t><t>It has become as dry as wood.</t>


text:
<t><i>Those</i> slain by the sword are better off </t><t>Than <i>those</i> who die of hunger; </t><t>For these <f>[8†]</f>pine away, </t><t>Stricken <i>for</i> <i>lack</i> of the fruits of the <f>[9†]</f>field.</t>


text:
<t>The hands of the <f>[10†]</f>compassionate women </t><t>Have cooked their <f>[11†]</f>own children; </t><t>They became <f>[12†]</f>food for them </t><t>In the destruction of the daughter of my people.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has fulfilled His fury, </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>He has poured out His fierce anger. </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>He kindled a fire in Zion, </t><t>And it has devoured its foundations.</t>


text:
<t>The kings of the earth, </t><t>And all inhabitants of the world, </t><t>Would not have believed </t><t>That the adversary and the enemy </t><t>Could <f>[15†]</f>enter the gates of Jerusalem—</t>


text:
<t> <f>[16†]</f>Because of the sins of her prophets </t><t><i>And</i> the iniquities of her priests, </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Who shed in her midst </t><t>The blood of the just.</t>


text:
<t>They wandered blind in the streets; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>They have defiled themselves with blood, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>So that no one would touch their garments.</t>


text:
<t>They cried out to them, </t><t>“Go away, <f>[20†]</f>unclean! </t><t>Go away, go away, </t><t>Do not touch us!” </t><t>When they fled and wandered, </t><t><i>Those</i> among the nations said, </t><t>“They shall no longer dwell <i>here.</i>”</t>


text:
<t>The face of the LORD scattered them; </t><t>He no longer regards them. </t><t> <f>[21†]</f><i>The</i> <i>people</i> do not respect the priests </t><t>Nor show favor to the elders.</t>


text:
<t>Still <f>[22†]</f>our eyes failed us, </t><t><i>Watching</i> vainly for our help; </t><t>In our watching we watched </t><t>For a nation <i>that</i> could not save <i>us.</i></t>


text:
<t> <f>[23†]</f>They tracked our steps </t><t>So that we could not walk in our streets. </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>Our end was near; </t><t>Our days were over, </t><t>For our end had come.</t>


text:
<t>Our pursuers were <f>[25†]</f>swifter </t><t>Than the eagles of the heavens. </t><t>They pursued us on the mountains </t><t>And lay in wait for us in the wilderness.</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[26†]</f>breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>Was caught in their pits, </t><t>Of whom we said, “Under his shadow </t><t>We shall live among the nations.”</t>


text:
<t>Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of <f>[28†]</f>Edom, </t><t><i>You</i> who dwell in the land of Uz! </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>The cup shall also pass over to you </t><t>And you shall become drunk and make yourself naked.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[30†]</f><i>The</i> <i>punishment</i> <i>of</i> your iniquity is accomplished, </t><t>O daughter of Zion; </t><t>He will no longer send you into captivity. </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>He will punish your iniquity, </t><t>O daughter of Edom; </t><t>He will uncover your sins!</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Remember, <f>[1†]</f>O LORD, what has come upon us; </t><t>Look, and behold <f>[2†]</f>our reproach!</t>


text:
<t> <f>[3†]</f>Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, </t><t>And our houses to foreigners.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>We have given our hand <f>[7†]</f><i>to</i> the Egyptians </t><t><i>And</i> the <f>[8†]</f>Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Our fathers sinned <i>and</i> <i>are</i> no more, </t><t>But we bear their iniquities.</t>


text:
<t>Servants rule over us; </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> none to deliver <i>us</i> from their hand.</t>


text:
<t>We get our bread <i>at</i> <i>the</i> <i>risk</i> of our lives, </t><t>Because of the sword in the wilderness.</t>


text:
<t>Young men <f>[11†]</f>ground at the millstones; </t><t>Boys staggered under <i>loads</i> <i>of</i> wood.</t>


text:
<t>The elders have ceased <i>gathering</i> <i>at</i> the gate, </t><t>And the young men from their <f>[12†]</f>music.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>The crown has fallen <i>from</i> our head. </t><t>Woe to us, for we have sinned!</t>


text:
<t>Because of this our heart is faint; </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>Because of these <i>things</i> our eyes grow dim;</t>


text:
<t>You, O LORD, <f>[17†]</f>remain forever; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>Your throne from generation to generation.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[20†]</f>Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; </t><t>Renew our days as of old,</t>


text:
<pb/>Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth <i>month,</i> on the fifth <i>day</i> of the month, as I <i>was</i> among the captives by <f>[1†]</f>the River Chebar, <i>that</i> <f>[2†]</f>the heavens were opened and I saw <f>[3†]</f>visions of God.


text:
On the fifth <i>day</i> of the month, which <i>was</i> in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity,


text:
the word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and <f>[4†]</f>the hand of the LORD was upon him there.


text:
<pb/>Then I looked, and behold, <f>[5†]</f>a whirlwind was coming <f>[6†]</f>out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness <i>was</i> all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>Also from within it <i>came</i> the likeness of four living creatures. And <f>[8†]</f>this <i>was</i> their appearance: they had <f>[9†]</f>the likeness of a man.


text:
Their legs <i>were</i> straight, and the soles of their feet <i>were</i> like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled <f>[10†]</f>like the color of burnished bronze.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>The hands of a man <i>were</i> under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings.


text:
Their wings touched one another. <i>The</i> <i>creatures</i> did not turn when they went, but each one went straight <f>[12†]</f>forward.


text:
<pb/>As for <f>[13†]</f>the likeness of their faces, <i>each</i> <f>[14†]</f>had the face of a man; each of the four had <f>[15†]</f>the face of a lion on the right side, <f>[16†]</f>each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, <f>[17†]</f>and each of the four had the face of an eagle.


text:
Thus <i>were</i> their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two <i>wings</i> of each one touched one another, and <f>[18†]</f>two covered their bodies.


text:
And <f>[19†]</f>each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went.


text:
<pb/>As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance <i>was</i> like burning coals of fire, <f>[20†]</f>like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning.


text:
<pb/>Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, <f>[22†]</f>a wheel <i>was</i> on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>The appearance of the wheels and their workings <i>was</i> <f>[24†]</f>like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings <i>was,</i> as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel.


text:
When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went.


text:
As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome; and their rims <i>were</i> <f>[25†]</f>full of eyes, all around the four of them.


text:
<f>[26†]</f>When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.


text:
Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, <i>because</i> there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, <f>[27†]</f>for the spirit of the living creatures <i>was</i> in the wheels.


text:
When those went, <i>these</i> went; when those stood, <i>these</i> stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures <i>was</i> in the wheels.


text:
<pb/> <f>[28†]</f>The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures <i>was</i> like the color of an awesome <f>[29†]</f>crystal, stretched out <f>[30†]</f>over their heads.


text:
And under the firmament their wings <i>spread</i> <i>out</i> straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body.


text:
<f>[31†]</f>When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, <f>[32†]</f>like the noise of many waters, like <f>[33†]</f>the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings.


text:
A voice came from above the firmament that <i>was</i> over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings.


text:
<pb/> <f>[34†]</f>And above the firmament over their heads <i>was</i> the likeness of a throne, <f>[35†]</f>in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne <i>was</i> a likeness with the appearance of a man high above <f>[36†]</f>it.


text:
Also from the appearance of His waist and upward <f>[37†]</f>I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.


text:
<f>[38†]</f>Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so <i>was</i> the appearance of the brightness all around it. <f>[39†]</f>This <i>was</i> the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. <pb/>So when I saw <i>it,</i> <f>[40†]</f>I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.


text:
Then <f>[2†]</f>the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.


text:
And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has <f>[3†]</f>rebelled against Me; <f>[4†]</f>they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>For <i>they</i> <i>are</i> impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’


text:
<f>[6†]</f>As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they <i>are</i> a <f>[7†]</f>rebellious house—yet they <f>[8†]</f>will know that a prophet has been among them.


text:
<pb/>“And you, son of man, <f>[9†]</f>do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though <f>[10†]</f>briers and thorns <i>are</i> with you and you dwell among scorpions; <f>[11†]</f>do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, <f>[12†]</f>though they <i>are</i> a rebellious house.


text:
<f>[13†]</f>You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they <i>are</i> rebellious.


text:
But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and <f>[14†]</f>eat what I give you.”


text:
<pb/>Now when I looked, there was <f>[15†]</f>a hand stretched out to me; and behold, <f>[16†]</f>a scroll of a book <i>was</i> in it.


text:
Then He spread it before me; and <i>there</i> <i>was</i> writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it <i>were</i> lamentations and mourning and woe.


text:
<pb/>Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; <f>[1†]</f>eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”


text:
<pb/>And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I <f>[2†]</f>ate, and it was in my mouth <f>[3†]</f>like honey in sweetness.


text:
For you <i>are</i> not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, <i>but</i> to the house of Israel,


text:
not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, <f>[4†]</f>had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you.


text:
But the house of Israel will not listen to you, <f>[5†]</f>because they will not listen to Me; <f>[6†]</f>for all the house of Israel <i>are</i> impudent and hard-hearted.


text:
Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; <f>[8†]</f>do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they <i>are</i> a rebellious house.”


text:
<pb/>Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.


text:
And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, <f>[9†]</f>‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.”


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[10†]</f>the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed <i>is</i> the <f>[11†]</f>glory of the LORD from His place!”


text:
<i>I</i> also <i>heard</i> the <f>[12†]</f>noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise.


text:
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but <f>[13†]</f>the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.


text:
Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and <f>[14†]</f>I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.


text:
<pb/>Now it <f>[15†]</f>came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
<f>[16†]</f>“Son of man, I have made you <f>[17†]</f>a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them <f>[18†]</f>warning from Me:


text:
When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked <i>man</i> <f>[19†]</f>shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.


text:
Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; <f>[20†]</f>but you have delivered your soul.


text:
<pb/>“Again, when a <f>[21†]</f>righteous <i>man</i> turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand.


text:
Nevertheless if you warn the righteous <i>man</i> that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[22†]</f>Then the hand of the LORD was upon me there, and He said to me, “Arise, go out <f>[23†]</f>into the plain, and there I shall talk with you.”


text:
<pb/>So I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, <f>[24†]</f>the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory which I <f>[25†]</f>saw by the River Chebar; <f>[26†]</f>and I fell on my face.


text:
Then <f>[27†]</f>the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me: “Go, shut yourself inside your house.


text:
And you, O son of man, surely <f>[28†]</f>they will put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out among them.


text:
<f>[29†]</f>I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and <f>[30†]</f>not be one to rebuke them, <f>[31†]</f>for they <i>are</i> a rebellious house.


text:
<f>[32†]</f>But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, <f>[33†]</f>‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they <i>are</i> a rebellious house.


text:
<pb/>“You also, son of man, take a clay tablet and lay it before you, and portray on it a city, Jerusalem.


text:
<f>[1†]</f>Lay siege against it, build a <f>[2†]</f>siege wall against it, and heap up a mound against it; set camps against it also, and place battering rams against it all around.


text:
Moreover take for yourself an iron plate, and set it <i>as</i> an iron wall between you and the city. Set your face against it, and it shall be <f>[3†]</f>besieged, and you shall lay siege against it. <f>[4†]</f>This <i>will</i> <i>be</i> a sign to the house of Israel.


text:
<pb/>“Lie also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. <i>According</i> to the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity.


text:
For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; <f>[5†]</f>so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.


text:
And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem; your arm <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> uncovered, and you shall prophesy against it.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>And surely I will restrain you so that you cannot turn from one side to another till you have ended the days of your siege.


text:
<pb/>“Also take for yourself wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them into one vessel, and make bread of them for yourself. <i>During</i> the number of days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days, you shall eat it.


text:
And your food which you eat <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> by weight, twenty shekels a day; from time to time you shall eat it.


text:
<pb/>Then the LORD said, “So <f>[7†]</f>shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, where I will drive them.”


text:
<pb/>So I said, <f>[8†]</f>“Ah, Lord GOD! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten <f>[9†]</f>what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has <f>[10†]</f>abominable flesh ever come into my mouth.”


text:
<pb/>Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.”


text:
<pb/>Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, surely I will cut off the <f>[11†]</f>supply of bread in Jerusalem; they shall <f>[12†]</f>eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and shall <f>[13†]</f>drink water by measure and with dread,


text:
that they may lack bread and water, and be dismayed with one another, and <f>[14†]</f>waste away because of their iniquity.


text:
<pb/>“And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, <f>[1†]</f>and pass <i>it</i> over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the <i>hair</i>.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of <f>[3†]</f>the city, when <f>[4†]</f>the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around <i>it</i> with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after <f>[5†]</f>them.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your <i>garment.</i>


text:
Then take some of them again and <f>[7†]</f>throw them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel.


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘This <i>is</i> Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her.


text:
She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that <i>are</i> all around her; for they have refused My judgments, and they have not walked in My statutes.’


text:
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have multiplied <i>disobedience</i> more than the nations that <i>are</i> all around you, have not walked in My statutes <f>[8†]</f>nor kept My judgments, nor even done according to the judgments of the nations that <i>are</i> all around you’—


text:
therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I, even I, <i>am</i> against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>And I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations.


text:
Therefore fathers <f>[10†]</f>shall eat <i>their</i> sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments among you, and all of you who remain I will <f>[11†]</f>scatter to all the winds.


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore, <i>as</i> I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘surely, because you have <f>[12†]</f>defiled My sanctuary with all your <f>[13†]</f>detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish <i>you;</i> <f>[14†]</f>My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity.


text:
<f>[15†]</f>One-third of you shall die of the pestilence, and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and <f>[16†]</f>I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after <f>[17†]</f>them.


text:
<pb/>‘Thus shall My anger <f>[18†]</f>be spent, and I will <f>[19†]</f>cause My fury to rest upon them, <f>[20†]</f>and I will be avenged; <f>[21†]</f>and they shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken <i>it</i> in My zeal, when I have spent My fury upon them.


text:
Moreover <f>[22†]</f>I will make you a waste and a reproach among the nations that <i>are</i> all around you, in the sight of all who pass by.


text:
<pb/>‘So it shall be a <f>[23†]</f>reproach, a taunt, a <f>[24†]</f>lesson, and an astonishment to the nations that <i>are</i> all around you, when I execute judgments among you in anger and in fury and in <f>[25†]</f>furious rebukes. I, the LORD, have spoken.


text:
When I <f>[26†]</f>send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your <f>[27†]</f>supply of bread.


text:
So I will send against you famine and <f>[28†]</f>wild beasts, and they will bereave you. <f>[29†]</f>Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.’ ”


text:
“Son of man, <f>[1†]</f>set your face toward the <f>[2†]</f>mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,


text:
and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: “Indeed I, <i>even</i> I, will bring a sword against you, and <f>[3†]</f>I will destroy your high places.


text:
Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and <f>[4†]</f>I will cast down your slain <i>men</i> before your idols.


text:
And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars.


text:
In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.


text:
<pb/> <f>[6†]</f>“Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have <i>some</i> who escape the sword among the nations, when you are <f>[7†]</f>scattered through the countries.


text:
Then those of you who escape will <f>[8†]</f>remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because <f>[9†]</f>I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and <f>[10†]</f>by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; <f>[11†]</f>they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations.


text:
And they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[12†]</f>“Pound your fists and stamp your feet, and say, ‘Alas, for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! <f>[13†]</f>For they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.


text:
He who is far off shall die by the pestilence, he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged shall die by the famine. <f>[14†]</f>Thus will I spend My fury upon them.


text:
Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when their slain are among their idols all around their altars, <f>[15†]</f>on every high hill, <f>[16†]</f>on all the mountaintops, <f>[17†]</f>under every green tree, and under every thick oak, wherever they offered sweet incense to all their idols.


text:
So I will <f>[18†]</f>stretch out My hand against them and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward <f>[19†]</f>Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.’ ” ’ ”


text:
“And you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD to the land of Israel: <pb/><t> <f>[1†]</f>‘An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.</t>


text:
<t>Now the end <i>has</i> <i>come</i> upon you, </t><t>And I will send My anger against you; </t><t>I will judge you <f>[2†]</f>according to your ways, </t><t>And I will repay you for all your abominations.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[3†]</f>My eye will not spare you, </t><t>Nor will I have pity; </t><t>But I will repay your ways, </t><t>And your abominations will be in your midst; </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD!’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>‘A disaster, a singular <f>[5†]</f>disaster; </t><t>Behold, it has come!</t>


text:
<t>An end has come, </t><t>The end has come; </t><t>It has dawned for you; </t><t>Behold, it has come!</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>Doom has come to you, you who dwell in the land; </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>The time has come, </t><t>A day of trouble <i>is</i> near, </t><t>And not of rejoicing in the mountains.</t>


text:
<t>Now upon you I will soon <f>[8†]</f>pour out My fury, </t><t>And spend My anger upon you; </t><t>I will judge you according to your ways, </t><t>And I will repay you for all your abominations.</t>


text:
<t>‘My eye will not spare, </t><t>Nor will I have pity; </t><t>I will repay you according to your ways, </t><t>And your abominations will be in your midst. </t><t>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD who strikes.</t>


text:
<t>‘Behold, the day! </t><t>Behold, it has come! </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>Doom has gone out; </t><t>The rod has blossomed, </t><t>Pride has budded.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>Violence has risen up into a rod of wickedness; </t><t>None of them <i>shall</i> <i>remain,</i> </t><t>None of their multitude, </t><t>None of them; </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Nor <i>shall</i> <i>there</i> <i>be</i> wailing for them.</t>


text:
<t>The time has come, </t><t>The day draws near. </t><t>‘Let not the buyer <f>[12†]</f>rejoice, </t><t>Nor the seller <f>[13†]</f>mourn, </t><t>For wrath <i>is</i> on their whole multitude.</t>


text:
<t>For the seller shall not return to what has been sold, </t><t>Though he may still be alive; </t><t>For the vision concerns the whole multitude, </t><t>And it shall not turn back; </t><t>No one will strengthen himself </t><t>Who lives in iniquity.</t>


text:
<t>‘They have blown the trumpet and made everyone ready, </t><t>But no one goes to battle; </t><t>For My wrath <i>is</i> on all their multitude.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>The sword <i>is</i> outside, </t><t>And the pestilence and famine within. </t><t>Whoever <i>is</i> in the field </t><t>Will die by the sword; </t><t>And whoever <i>is</i> in the city, </t><t>Famine and pestilence will devour him.</t>


text:
<t>‘Those who <f>[15†]</f>survive will escape and be on the mountains </t><t>Like doves of the valleys, </t><t>All of them mourning, </t><t>Each for his iniquity.</t>


text:
<t>Every <f>[16†]</f>hand will be feeble, </t><t>And every knee will be <i>as</i> weak <i>as</i> water.</t>


text:
<t>They will also <f>[17†]</f>be girded with sackcloth; </t><t>Horror will cover them; </t><t>Shame <i>will</i> <i>be</i> on every face, </t><t>Baldness on all their heads.</t>


text:
<t>‘They will throw their silver into the streets, </t><t>And their gold will be like refuse; </t><t>Their <f>[18†]</f>silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them </t><t>In the day of the wrath of the LORD; </t><t>They will not satisfy their souls, </t><t>Nor fill their stomachs, </t><t>Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.</t>


text:
<t>‘As for the beauty of his ornaments, </t><t>He set it in majesty; </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>But they made from it </t><t>The images of their abominations— </t><t>Their detestable things; </t><t>Therefore I have made it </t><t>Like refuse to them.</t>


text:
<t>I will give it as <f>[20†]</f>plunder </t><t>Into the hands of strangers, </t><t>And to the wicked of the earth as spoil; </t><t>And they shall defile it.</t>


text:
<t>I will turn My face from them, </t><t>And they will defile My secret place; </t><t>For robbers shall enter it and defile it.</t>


text:
<t>‘Make a chain, </t><t>For <f>[21†]</f>the land is filled with crimes of blood, </t><t>And the city is full of violence.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore I will bring the <f>[22†]</f>worst of the Gentiles, </t><t>And they will possess their houses; </t><t>I will cause the pomp of the strong to cease, </t><t>And their holy places shall be <f>[23†]</f>defiled.</t>


text:
<t>Destruction comes; </t><t>They will seek peace, but <i>there</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> none.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>Disaster will come upon disaster, </t><t>And rumor will be upon rumor. </t><t> <f>[25†]</f>Then they will seek a vision from a prophet; </t><t>But the law will perish from the priest, </t><t>And counsel from the elders.</t>


text:
<t>‘The king will mourn, </t><t>The prince will be clothed with desolation, </t><t>And the hands of the common people will tremble. </t><t>I will do to them according to their way, </t><t>And according to what they deserve I will judge them; </t><t>Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD!’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth <i>month,</i> on the fifth <i>day</i> of the month, as I sat in my house with <f>[1†]</f>the elders of Judah sitting before me, that <f>[2†]</f>the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there.


text:
<f>[3†]</f>Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire—from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, <f>[4†]</f>like the color of amber.


text:
He <f>[5†]</f>stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and <f>[6†]</f>the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and <f>[7†]</f>brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner <i>court,</i> <f>[8†]</f>where the seat of the image of jealousy <i>was,</i> which <f>[9†]</f>provokes to jealousy.


text:
And behold, the <f>[10†]</f>glory of the God of Israel <i>was</i> there, like the vision that I <f>[11†]</f>saw in the plain.


text:
<pb/>Then He said to me, “Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.


text:
<pb/>Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great <f>[12†]</f>abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.”


text:
Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door.


text:
So I went in and saw, and there—every <f>[13†]</f>sort of <f>[14†]</f>creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls.


text:
And there stood before them <f>[15†]</f>seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up.


text:
Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, <f>[16†]</f>‘The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.’ ”


text:
<pb/>And He said to me, “Turn again, <i>and</i> you will see greater abominations that they are doing.”


text:
So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.


text:
<pb/>Then He said to me, “Have you seen <i>this,</i> O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.”


text:
So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, <f>[17†]</f>between the porch and the altar, <f>[18†]</f><i>were</i> about twenty-five men <f>[19†]</f>with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping <f>[20†]</f>the sun toward the east.


text:
<pb/>And He said to me, “Have you seen <i>this,</i> O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have <f>[21†]</f>filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.


text:
<f>[22†]</f>Therefore I also will act in fury. My <f>[23†]</f>eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they <f>[24†]</f>cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.”


text:
<pb/>Then He called out in my hearing with a loud voice, saying, “Let those who have charge over the city draw near, each <i>with</i> a deadly weapon in his hand.”


text:
And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his battle-ax in his hand. <f>[1†]</f>One man among them <i>was</i> clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[2†]</f>the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who <i>had</i> the writer’s inkhorn at his side;


text:
and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put <f>[3†]</f>a mark on the foreheads of the men <f>[4†]</f>who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”


text:
<pb/>To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and <f>[5†]</f>kill; <f>[6†]</f>do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>Utterly slay old <i>and</i> young men, maidens and little children and women; but <f>[8†]</f>do not come near anyone on whom <i>is</i> the mark; and <f>[9†]</f>begin at My sanctuary.” <f>[10†]</f>So they began with the elders who <i>were</i> before the temple.


text:
Then He said to them, “Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” And they went out and killed in the city.


text:
<pb/>So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left <i>alone;</i> and I <f>[11†]</f>fell on my face and cried out, and said, <f>[12†]</f>“Ah, Lord GOD! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?”


text:
<pb/>Then He said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah <i>is</i> exceedingly great, and <f>[13†]</f>the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, <f>[14†]</f>‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and <f>[15†]</f>the LORD does not see!’


text:
And as for Me also, My <f>[16†]</f>eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, <i>but</i> <f>[17†]</f>I will recompense their deeds on their own head.”


text:
<pb/>Just then, the man clothed with linen, who <i>had</i> the inkhorn at his side, reported back and said, “I have done as You commanded me.”


text:
<pb/>And I looked, and there in the <f>[1†]</f>firmament that was above the head of the cherubim, there appeared something like a sapphire stone, having the appearance of the likeness of a throne.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>Then He spoke to the man clothed with linen, and said, “Go in among the wheels, under the cherub, fill your hands with <f>[3†]</f>coals of fire from among the cherubim, and <f>[4†]</f>scatter <i>them</i> over the city.” And he went in as I watched.


text:
<pb/>Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and the <f>[5†]</f>cloud filled the inner court.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, <i>and</i> <i>paused</i> over the threshold of the temple; and <f>[7†]</f>the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s <f>[8†]</f>glory.


text:
And the <f>[9†]</f>sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard <i>even</i> in the outer court, like <f>[10†]</f>the voice of Almighty God when He speaks.


text:
<pb/>Then it happened, when He commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim,” that he went in and stood beside the wheels.


text:
And the cherub stretched out his hand from among the cherubim to the fire that <i>was</i> among the cherubim, and took <i>some</i> <i>of</i> <i>it</i> and put <i>it</i> into the hands of the <i>man</i> clothed with linen, who took <i>it</i> and went out.


text:
<pb/> <f>[12†]</f>And when I looked, there were four wheels by the cherubim, one wheel by one cherub and another wheel by each other cherub; the wheels appeared <i>to</i> <i>have</i> the color of a <f>[13†]</f>beryl stone.


text:
<i>As</i> <i>for</i> their appearance, all four looked alike—as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel.


text:
<f>[14†]</f>When they went, they went toward <i>any</i> <i>of</i> their four directions; they did not turn aside when they went, but followed in the direction the head was facing. They did not turn aside when they went.


text:
And their whole body, with their back, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the four had, <i>were</i> <f>[15†]</f>full of eyes all around.


text:
<pb/> <f>[16†]</f>Each one had four faces: the first face <i>was</i> the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.


text:
And the cherubim were lifted up. This <i>was</i> <f>[17†]</f>the living creature I saw by the River Chebar.


text:
<f>[18†]</f>When the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also did not turn from beside them.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>When <i>the</i> <i>cherubim</i> stood still, <i>the</i> <i>wheels</i> stood still, and when <i>one</i> was lifted up, <i>the</i> <i>other</i> lifted itself up, for the spirit of the living creature <i>was</i> in them.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[20†]</f>the glory of the LORD <f>[21†]</f>departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim.


text:
And <f>[22†]</f>the cherubim lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight. When they went out, the wheels <i>were</i> beside them; and they stood at the door of the <f>[23†]</f>east gate of the LORD’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel <i>was</i> above them.


text:
<pb/> <f>[24†]</f>This <i>is</i> the living creature I saw under the God of Israel <f>[25†]</f>by the River Chebar, and I knew they <i>were</i> cherubim.


text:
<f>[26†]</f>Each one had four faces and each one four wings, and the likeness of the hands of a man <i>was</i> under their wings.


text:
And <f>[27†]</f>the likeness of their faces <i>was</i> the same <i>as</i> the faces which I had seen by the River Chebar, their appearance and their persons. <f>[28†]</f>They each went straight forward.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[1†]</f>the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to <f>[2†]</f>the East Gate of the LORD’s house, which faces eastward; and there <f>[3†]</f>at the door of the gate were twenty-five men, among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.


text:
And He said to me: “Son of man, these <i>are</i> the men who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in this city,


text:
who say, ‘<i>The</i> <i>time</i> <i>is</i> not <f>[4†]</f>near to build houses; <f>[5†]</f>this <i>city</i> <i>is</i> the caldron, and we <i>are</i> the meat.’


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[6†]</f>the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said to me, “Speak! ‘Thus says the LORD: “Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for <f>[7†]</f>I know the things that come into your mind.


text:
<f>[8†]</f>You have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain.”


text:
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[9†]</f>“Your slain whom you have laid in its midst, they <i>are</i> the meat, and this <i>city</i> <i>is</i> the caldron; <f>[10†]</f>but I shall bring you out of the midst of it.


text:
“And I will bring you out of its midst, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and <f>[12†]</f>execute judgments on you.


text:
<f>[13†]</f>You shall fall by the sword. I will judge you at <f>[14†]</f>the border of Israel. <f>[15†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>This <i>city</i> shall not be your caldron, nor shall you be the meat in its midst. I will judge you at the border of Israel.


text:
And you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD; for you have not walked in My statutes nor executed My judgments, but <f>[17†]</f>have done according to the customs of the Gentiles which <i>are</i> all around you.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>Now it happened, while I was prophesying, that <f>[18†]</f>Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then <f>[19†]</f>I fell on my face and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Will You make a complete end of the remnant of Israel?”


text:
“Son of man, your brethren, your relatives, your countrymen, and all the house of Israel in its entirety, <i>are</i> those about whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Get far away from the LORD; this land has been given to us as a possession.’


text:
Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, <f>[20†]</f>yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.” ’


text:
Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[21†]</f>“I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” ’


text:
And they will go there, and they will take away all its <f>[22†]</f>detestable things and all its abominations from there.


text:
Then <f>[23†]</f>I will give them one heart, and I will put <f>[24†]</f>a new spirit within them, and take <f>[25†]</f>the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,


text:
<f>[26†]</f>that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; <f>[27†]</f>and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.


text:
But <i>as</i> <i>for</i> <i>those</i> whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, <f>[28†]</f>I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>So the cherubim <f>[29†]</f>lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel <i>was</i> high above them.


text:
And <f>[30†]</f>the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood <f>[31†]</f>on the mountain, <f>[32†]</f>which <i>is</i> on the east side of the city.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[33†]</f>the Spirit took me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to those in captivity. And the vision that I had seen went up from me.


text:
“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of <f>[1†]</f>a rebellious house, which <f>[2†]</f>has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; <f>[3†]</f>for they <i>are</i> a rebellious house.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity, and go into captivity by day in their sight. You shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight. It may be that they will consider, though they <i>are</i> a rebellious house.


text:
By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go in their sight, like those who go into captivity.


text:
In their sight you shall bear <i>them</i> on <i>your</i> shoulders <i>and</i> carry <i>them</i> out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, <f>[4†]</f>for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.”


text:
<pb/>So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my belongings by day, as though going into captivity, and at evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought <i>them</i> out at twilight, <i>and</i> I bore <i>them</i> on <i>my</i> shoulder in their sight.


text:
“Son of man, has not the house of Israel, <f>[5†]</f>the rebellious house, said to you, <f>[6†]</f>‘What are you doing?’


text:
Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “This <f>[7†]</f>burden <i>concerns</i> the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are among them.” ’


text:
Say, <f>[8†]</f>‘I <i>am</i> a sign to you. As I have done, so shall it be done to them; <f>[9†]</f>they shall be carried away into captivity.’


text:
And <f>[10†]</f>the prince who <i>is</i> among them shall bear <i>his</i> <i>belongings</i> on <i>his</i> shoulder at twilight and go out. They shall dig through the wall to carry <i>them</i> out through it. He shall cover his face, so that he cannot see the ground with <i>his</i> eyes.


text:
I will also spread My <f>[11†]</f>net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare. <f>[12†]</f>I will bring him to Babylon, <i>to</i> the land of the Chaldeans; yet he shall not see it, though he shall die there.


text:
<f>[13†]</f>I will scatter to every wind all who <i>are</i> around him to help him, and all his troops; and <f>[14†]</f>I will draw out the sword after them.


text:
<pb/> <f>[15†]</f>“Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.”


text:
“Son of man, <f>[17†]</f>eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and anxiety.


text:
And say to the people of the land, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the inhabitants of Jerusalem <i>and</i> to the land of Israel: “They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with dread, so that her land may <f>[18†]</f>be emptied of all who are in it, <f>[19†]</f>because of the violence of all those who dwell in it.


text:
Then the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate; and you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’ ”


text:
“Son of man, what <i>is</i> this proverb <i>that</i> you <i>people</i> have about the land of Israel, which says, <f>[20†]</f>‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails’?


text:
Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.” ’ But say to them, ‘ <f>[21†]</f>“The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.


text:
For <f>[22†]</f>no more shall there be any <f>[23†]</f>false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.


text:
For I <i>am</i> the LORD. I speak, and <f>[24†]</f>the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and <f>[25†]</f>perform it,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
<f>[26†]</f>“Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees <i>is</i> <f>[27†]</f>for many days <i>from</i> <i>now,</i> and he prophesies of times far off.’


text:
<f>[28†]</f>Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak <f>[29†]</f>will be done,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
“Son of man, prophesy <f>[1†]</f>against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to <f>[2†]</f>those who prophesy out of their own <f>[3†]</f>heart, ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’ ”


text:
<pb/>Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!


text:
You <f>[5†]</f>have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has <f>[7†]</f>not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.


text:
Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The LORD says,’ but I have not spoken.”


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I <i>am</i> indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
“My hand will be <f>[8†]</f>against the prophets who envision futility and who <f>[9†]</f>divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, <f>[10†]</f>nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, <f>[11†]</f>nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. <f>[12†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, <f>[13†]</f>‘Peace!’ when <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no peace—and one builds a wall, and they <f>[14†]</f>plaster it with untempered <i>mortar</i>—


text:
say to those who plaster <i>it</i> with untempered <i>mortar,</i> that it will fall. <f>[15†]</f>There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear <i>it</i> down.


text:
Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Where <i>is</i> the mortar with which you plastered <i>it?</i>’ ”


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume <i>it.</i>


text:
So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered <i>mortar,</i> and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. <f>[16†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“Thus will I accomplish My wrath on the wall and on those who have plastered it with untempered <i>mortar;</i> and I will say to you, ‘The wall <i>is</i> no <i>more,</i> nor those who plastered it,


text:
<i>that</i> <i>is,</i> the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who <f>[17†]</f>see visions of peace for her when <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no peace,’ ” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“Likewise, son of man, <f>[18†]</f>set your face against the daughters of your people, <f>[19†]</f>who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them,


text:
and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the <i>women</i> who sew <i>magic</i> charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you <f>[20†]</f>hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?


text:
And will you profane Me among My people <f>[21†]</f>for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?”


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I <i>am</i> against your <i>magic</i> charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds.


text:
I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand. <f>[22†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“Because with <f>[23†]</f>lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have <f>[24†]</f>strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.


text:
Therefore <f>[25†]</f>you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’ ”


text:
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them <f>[2†]</f>that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. <f>[3†]</f>Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?


text:
<pb/>“Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,


text:
that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and <f>[4†]</f>turn your faces away from all your abominations.


text:
For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>I will set My face against that man and make him a <f>[6†]</f>sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. <f>[7†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD <f>[8†]</f>have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel.


text:
And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired,


text:
that the house of Israel may <f>[9†]</f>no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, <f>[10†]</f>but that they may be My people and I may be their God,“ says the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
“Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its <f>[11†]</f>supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>Even <i>if</i> these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver <i>only</i> themselves <f>[13†]</f>by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“If I cause <f>[14†]</f>wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts,


text:
<i>even</i> <f>[15†]</f>though these three men <i>were</i> in it, <i>as</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be <f>[16†]</f>desolate.


text:
<pb/>“Or <i>if</i> <f>[17†]</f>I bring a sword on that land, and say, ‘Sword, go through the land,’ and I <f>[18†]</f>cut off man and beast from it,


text:
even <f>[19†]</f><i>though</i> these three men <i>were</i> in it, <i>as</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered.


text:
<pb/>“Or <i>if</i> I send <f>[20†]</f>a pestilence into that land and <f>[21†]</f>pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast,


text:
even <f>[22†]</f><i>though</i> Noah, Daniel, and Job <i>were</i> in it, <i>as</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver <i>only</i> themselves by their righteousness.”


text:
<pb/>For thus says the Lord GOD: “How much more it shall be when <f>[23†]</f>I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem—the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence—to cut off man and beast from it?


text:
<f>[24†]</f>Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be <f>[25†]</f>brought out, <i>both</i> sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and <f>[26†]</f>you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it.


text:
And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing <f>[27†]</f>without cause that I have done in it,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
“Son of man, how is the wood of the vine <i>better</i> than any other wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest?


text:
Is wood taken from it to make any object? Or can <i>men</i> make a peg from it to hang any vessel on?


text:
Instead, <f>[1†]</f>it is thrown into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both ends of it, and its middle is burned. Is it useful for <i>any</i> work?


text:
Indeed, when it was whole, no object could be made from it. How much less will it be useful for <i>any</i> work when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem;


text:
and <f>[2†]</f>I will set My face against them. <f>[3†]</f>They will go out from <i>one</i> fire, but <i>another</i> fire shall devour them. <f>[4†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I set My face against them.


text:
Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have persisted in unfaithfulness,’ says the Lord GOD.”


text:
and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem: “Your birth <f>[2†]</f>and your nativity <i>are</i> from the land of Canaan; <f>[3†]</f>your father <i>was</i> an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.


text:
<i>As</i> <i>for</i> your nativity, <f>[4†]</f>on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse <i>you;</i> you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths.


text:
No eye pitied you, to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you; but you were thrown out into the open field, when you yourself were loathed on the day you were born.


text:
<pb/>“And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’


text:
<f>[5†]</f>I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. <i>Your</i> breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you <i>were</i> naked and bare.


text:
<pb/>“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time <i>was</i> the time of love; <f>[6†]</f>so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I <f>[7†]</f>swore an oath to you and entered into a <f>[8†]</f>covenant with you, and <f>[9†]</f>you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil.


text:
I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.


text:
I adorned you with ornaments, <f>[10†]</f>put bracelets on your wrists, <f>[11†]</f>and a chain on your neck.


text:
Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing <i>was</i> <i>of</i> fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. <f>[12†]</f>You ate <i>pastry</i> <i>of</i> fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly <f>[13†]</f>beautiful, and succeeded to royalty.


text:
<f>[14†]</f>Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it <i>was</i> perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/> <f>[15†]</f>“But you trusted in your own beauty, <f>[16†]</f>played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who <i>would</i> <i>have</i> it.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>You took some of your garments and adorned multicolored high places for yourself, and played the harlot on them. <i>Such</i> things should not happen, nor be.


text:
You have also taken your beautiful jewelry from My gold and My silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself male images and played the harlot with them.


text:
Also <f>[18†]</f>My food which I gave you—the pastry of fine flour, oil, and honey <i>which</i> I fed you—you set it before them as sweet incense; and <i>so</i> it was,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/> <f>[19†]</f>“Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. <i>Were</i> your <i>acts</i> of harlotry a small matter,


text:
that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through <i>the</i> <f>[20†]</f>fire?


text:
And in all your abominations and acts of harlotry you did not remember the days of your <f>[21†]</f>youth, <f>[22†]</f>when you were naked and bare, struggling in your blood.


text:
<i>that</i> <f>[23†]</f>you also built for yourself a shrine, and <f>[24†]</f>made a high place for yourself in every street.


text:
You built your high places <f>[25†]</f>at the head of every road, and made your beauty to be abhorred. You offered yourself to everyone who passed by, and multiplied your acts of harlotry.


text:
You also committed harlotry with <f>[26†]</f>the Egyptians, your very fleshly neighbors, and increased your acts of harlotry to <f>[27†]</f>provoke Me to anger.


text:
<pb/>“Behold, therefore, I stretched out My hand against you, diminished your allotment, and gave you up to the will of those who hate you, <f>[28†]</f>the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd behavior.


text:
You also played the harlot with the <f>[29†]</f>Assyrians, because you were insatiable; indeed you played the harlot with them and still were not satisfied.


text:
Moreover you multiplied your acts of harlotry as far as the land of the trader, <f>[30†]</f>Chaldea; and even then you were not satisfied.


text:
<pb/>“How degenerate is your heart!” says the Lord GOD, “seeing you do all these <i>things,</i> the deeds of a brazen harlot.


text:
<pb/> <f>[31†]</f>“You erected your shrine at the head of every road, and built your high place in every street. Yet you were not like a harlot, because you scorned <f>[32†]</f>payment.


text:
Men make payment to all harlots, but <f>[33†]</f>you made your payments to all your lovers, and hired them to come to you from all around for your harlotry.


text:
You are the opposite of <i>other</i> women in your harlotry, because no one solicited you to be a harlot. In that you gave payment but no payment was given you, therefore you are the opposite.”


text:
Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your filthiness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your harlotry with your lovers, and with all your abominable idols, and because of <f>[34†]</f>the blood of your children which you gave to them,


text:
surely, therefore, <f>[35†]</f>I will gather all your lovers with whom you took pleasure, all those you loved, <i>and</i> all those you hated; I will gather them from all around against you and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness.


text:
And I will judge you as <f>[36†]</f>women who break wedlock or <f>[37†]</f>shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy.


text:
I will also give you into their hand, and they shall throw down your shrines and break down <f>[38†]</f>your high places. <f>[39†]</f>They shall also strip you of your clothes, take your beautiful jewelry, and leave you naked and bare.


text:
<pb/> <f>[40†]</f>“They shall also bring up an assembly against you, <f>[41†]</f>and they shall stone you with stones and thrust you through with their swords.


text:
They shall <f>[42†]</f>burn your houses with fire, and <f>[43†]</f>execute judgments on you in the sight of many women; and I will make you <f>[44†]</f>cease playing the harlot, and you shall no longer hire lovers.


text:
So <f>[45†]</f>I will lay to rest My fury toward you, and My jealousy shall depart from you. I will be quiet, and be angry no more.


text:
Because <f>[46†]</f>you did not remember the days of your youth, but agitated Me with all these <i>things,</i> surely <f>[47†]</f>I will also recompense your deeds on <i>your</i> <i>own</i> head,” says the Lord GOD. “And you shall not commit lewdness in addition to all your abominations.


text:
<pb/>“Indeed everyone who quotes proverbs will use <i>this</i> proverb against you: ‘Like mother, like daughter!’


text:
You <i>are</i> your mother’s daughter, loathing husband and children; and you <i>are</i> the <f>[48†]</f>sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and children; <f>[49†]</f>your mother <i>was</i> a Hittite and your father an Amorite.


text:
<pb/>“Your elder sister <i>is</i> Samaria, who dwells with her daughters to the north of you; and <f>[50†]</f>your younger sister, who dwells to the south of you, <i>is</i> Sodom and her daughters.


text:
You did not walk in their ways nor act according to their abominations; but, as <i>if</i> <i>that</i> <i>were</i> too little, <f>[51†]</f>you became more corrupt than they in all your ways.


text:
<pb/>“<i>As</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “neither <f>[52†]</f>your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done.


text:
Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, <f>[53†]</f>fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.


text:
And they were haughty and <f>[54†]</f>committed abomination before Me; therefore <f>[55†]</f>I took them away as I saw <i>fit.</i>


text:
<pb/>“Samaria did not commit <f>[56†]</f>half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and <f>[57†]</f>have justified your sisters by all the abominations which you have done.


text:
You who judged your sisters, bear your own shame also, because the sins which you committed were more abominable than theirs; they are more righteous than you. Yes, be disgraced also, and bear your own shame, because you justified your sisters.


text:
<pb/> <f>[58†]</f>“When I bring back their captives, the captives of Sodom and her daughters, and the captives of Samaria and her daughters, then <i>I</i> <i>will</i> <i>also</i> <i>bring</i> <i>back</i> <f>[59†]</f>the captives of your captivity among them,


text:
that you may bear your own shame and be disgraced by all that you did when <f>[60†]</f>you comforted them.


text:
When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters return to their former state, then you and your daughters will return to your former state.


text:
before your wickedness was uncovered. It was like the time of the <f>[61†]</f>reproach of the daughters of Syria and all <i>those</i> around her, and of <f>[62†]</f>the daughters of the Philistines, who despise you everywhere.


text:
For thus says the Lord GOD: “I will deal with you as you have done, who <f>[64†]</f>despised <f>[65†]</f>the oath by breaking the covenant.


text:
<pb/>“Nevertheless I will <f>[66†]</f>remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish <f>[67†]</f>an everlasting covenant with you.


text:
Then <f>[68†]</f>you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for <f>[69†]</f>daughters, <f>[70†]</f>but not because of My covenant with you.


text:
<f>[71†]</f>And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD,


text:
that you may <f>[72†]</f>remember and be ashamed, <f>[73†]</f>and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[2†]</f>“A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, </t><t>Full of feathers of various colors, </t><t>Came to Lebanon </t><t>And <f>[3†]</f>took from the cedar the highest branch.</t>


text:
<t>He cropped off its topmost young twig </t><t>And carried it to a land of trade; </t><t>He set it in a city of merchants.</t>


text:
<t>Then he took some of the seed of the land </t><t>And planted it in <f>[4†]</f>a fertile field; </t><t>He placed <i>it</i> by abundant waters </t><t><i>And</i> set it <f>[5†]</f>like a willow tree.</t>


text:
<t>And it grew and became a spreading vine <f>[6†]</f>of low stature; </t><t>Its branches turned toward him, </t><t>But its roots were under it. </t><t>So it became a vine, </t><t>Brought forth branches, </t><t>And put forth shoots.</t>


text:
<t>“But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; </t><t>And behold, <f>[7†]</f>this vine bent its roots toward him, </t><t>And stretched its branches toward him, </t><t>From the garden terrace where it had been planted, </t><t>That he might water it.</t>


text:
<t>It was planted in good soil by many waters, </t><t>To bring forth branches, bear fruit, </t><t><i>And</i> become a majestic vine.” ’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“Will it thrive? </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Will he not pull up its roots, </t><t>Cut off its fruit, </t><t>And leave it to wither? </t><t>All of its spring leaves will wither, </t><t>And no great power or many people </t><t>Will be needed to pluck it up by its roots.</t>


text:
<t>Behold, <i>it</i> <i>is</i> planted, </t><t>Will it thrive? </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>Will it not utterly wither when the east wind touches it? </t><t>It will wither in the garden terrace where it grew.” ’ ”</t>


text:
“Say now to <f>[10†]</f>the rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these <i>things</i> <i>mean?</i>’ Tell <i>them,</i> ‘Indeed <f>[11†]</f>the king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and took its king and princes, and led them with him to Babylon.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>And he took the king’s offspring, made a covenant with him, <f>[13†]</f>and put him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land,


text:
that the kingdom might be <f>[14†]</f>brought low and not lift itself up, <i>but</i> that by keeping his covenant it might stand.


text:
But <f>[15†]</f>he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, <f>[16†]</f>that they might give him horses and many people. <f>[17†]</f>Will he prosper? Will he who does such <i>things</i> escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered?


text:
<pb/>‘<i>As</i> I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘surely <f>[18†]</f>in the place <i>where</i> the king <i>dwells</i> who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>Nor will Pharaoh with <i>his</i> mighty army and great company do anything in the war, <f>[20†]</f>when they heap up a siege mound and build a wall to cut off many persons.


text:
Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and in fact <f>[21†]</f>gave his hand and still did all these <i>things,</i> he shall not escape.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “<i>As</i> I live, surely My oath which he despised, and My covenant which he broke, I will recompense on his own head.


text:
I will <f>[22†]</f>spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and <f>[23†]</f>try him there for the treason which he committed against Me.


text:
<f>[24†]</f>All his fugitives with all his troops shall fall by the sword, and those who remain shall be <f>[25†]</f>scattered to every wind; and you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken.”


text:
<pb/>Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will take also <i>one</i> of the highest <f>[26†]</f>branches of the high cedar and set <i>it</i> out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs <f>[27†]</f>a tender one, and will <f>[28†]</f>plant <i>it</i> on a high and prominent mountain.


text:
<f>[29†]</f>On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. <f>[30†]</f>Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell.


text:
And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, <f>[31†]</f>have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; <f>[32†]</f>I, the LORD, have spoken and have done <i>it.</i>”


text:
“What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: <pb/><t>‘The <f>[1†]</f>fathers have eaten sour grapes, </t><t>And the children’s teeth are set on edge’?</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“Behold, all souls are <f>[2†]</f>Mine; </t><t>The soul of the father </t><t>As well as the soul of the son is Mine; </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>The soul who sins shall die.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>If he has not eaten on the mountains, </t><t>Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, </t><t>Nor <f>[5†]</f>defiled his neighbor’s wife, </t><t>Nor approached <f>[6†]</f>a woman during her impurity;</t>


text:
<t>If he has not <f>[7†]</f>oppressed anyone, </t><t><i>But</i> has restored to the debtor his <f>[8†]</f>pledge; </t><t>Has robbed no one by violence, </t><t><i>But</i> has <f>[9†]</f>given his bread to the hungry </t><t>And covered the naked with <f>[10†]</f>clothing;</t>


text:
<t>If he has not exacted <f>[11†]</f>usury </t><t>Nor taken any increase, </t><t><i>But</i> has withdrawn his hand from iniquity </t><t><i>And</i> <f>[12†]</f>executed true judgment between man and man;</t>


text:
<t><i>If</i> he has walked in My statutes </t><t>And kept My judgments faithfully— </t><t>He <i>is</i> just; </t><t>He shall surely <f>[13†]</f>live!” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<t>“If he begets a son <i>who</i> <i>is</i> a robber </t><t>Or <f>[14†]</f>a shedder of blood, </t><t><i>Who</i> does any of these <i>things</i></t>


text:
<t>And does none of those <i>duties,</i> </t><t>But has eaten on the mountains </t><t>Or defiled his neighbor’s wife;</t>


text:
<t>If he has oppressed the poor and needy, </t><t>Robbed by violence, </t><t>Not restored the pledge, </t><t>Lifted his eyes to the idols, </t><t><i>Or</i> <f>[15†]</f>committed abomination;</t>


text:
<t>If he has exacted usury </t><t>Or taken increase— </t><t>Shall he then live? </t><t>He shall not live! </t><t>If he has done any of these abominations, </t><t>He shall surely die; </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>His blood shall be upon him.</t>


text:
<t>“<i>If,</i> however, he begets a son </t><t>Who sees all the sins which his father has done, </t><t>And considers but does not do likewise;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f><i>Who</i> has not eaten on the mountains, </t><t>Nor lifted his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, </t><t>Nor defiled his neighbor’s wife;</t>


text:
<t>Has not oppressed anyone, </t><t>Nor withheld a pledge, </t><t>Nor robbed by violence, </t><t><i>But</i> has given his bread to the hungry </t><t>And covered the naked with clothing;</t>


text:
<t><i>Who</i> has withdrawn his hand from the poor </t><t><i>And</i> not received usury or increase, </t><t>But has executed My judgments </t><t>And walked in My statutes— </t><t>He shall not die for the iniquity of his father; </t><t>He shall surely live!</t>


text:
<t>“<i>As</i> <i>for</i> his father, </t><t>Because he cruelly oppressed, </t><t>Robbed his brother by violence, </t><t>And did what <i>is</i> not good among his people, </t><t>Behold, <f>[18†]</f>he shall die for his iniquity.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Yet you say, ‘Why <f>[19†]</f>should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>The soul who sins shall die. <f>[21†]</f>The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. <f>[22†]</f>The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, <f>[23†]</f>and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.


text:
<pb/>“But <f>[24†]</f>if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.


text:
<f>[25†]</f>None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall <f>[26†]</f>live.


text:
<f>[27†]</f>Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “<i>and</i> not that he should turn from his ways and live?


text:
<pb/>“But <f>[28†]</f>when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked <i>man</i> does, shall he live? <f>[29†]</f>All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.


text:
<pb/>“Yet you say, <f>[30†]</f>‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?


text:
<f>[31†]</f>When a righteous <i>man</i> turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.


text:
Again, <f>[32†]</f>when a wicked <i>man</i> turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive.


text:
Because he <f>[33†]</f>considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.


text:
<f>[34†]</f>Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?


text:
<pb/> <f>[35†]</f>“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. <f>[36†]</f>“Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.


text:
<f>[37†]</f>Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a <f>[38†]</f>new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?


text:
For <f>[39†]</f>I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and <f>[40†]</f>live!”


text:
and say: <pb/><t>‘What <i>is</i> your mother? A lioness: </t><t>She lay down among the lions; </t><t>Among the young lions she nourished her cubs.</t>


text:
<t>She brought up one of her cubs, </t><t>And <f>[2†]</f>he became a young lion; </t><t>He learned to catch prey, </t><t>And he devoured men.</t>


text:
<t>The nations also heard of him; </t><t>He was trapped in their pit, </t><t>And they brought him with chains to the land of <f>[3†]</f>Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>‘When she saw that she waited, <i>that</i> her hope was lost, </t><t>She took <f>[4†]</f>another of her cubs <i>and</i> made him a young lion.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f>He roved among the lions, </t><t>And <f>[6†]</f>became a young lion; </t><t>He learned to catch prey; </t><t>He devoured men.</t>


text:
<t>He knew their desolate places, </t><t>And laid waste their cities; </t><t>The land with its fullness was desolated </t><t>By the noise of his roaring.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>Then the nations set against him from the provinces on every side, </t><t>And spread their net over him; </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>He was trapped in their pit.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>They put him in a cage with chains, </t><t>And brought him to the king of Babylon; </t><t>They brought him in nets, </t><t>That his voice should no longer be heard on <f>[10†]</f>the mountains of Israel.</t>


text:
<t>‘Your mother <i>was</i> <f>[11†]</f>like a vine in your bloodline, </t><t>Planted by the waters, </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Fruitful and full of branches </t><t>Because of many waters.</t>


text:
<t>She had strong branches for scepters of rulers. </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>She towered in stature above the thick branches, </t><t>And was seen in her height amid the dense foliage.</t>


text:
<t>But she was <f>[14†]</f>plucked up in fury, </t><t>She was cast down to the ground, </t><t>And the <f>[15†]</f>east wind dried her fruit. </t><t>Her strong branches were broken and withered; </t><t>The fire consumed them.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[16†]</f>Fire has come out from a rod of her branches </t><t><i>And</i> devoured her fruit, </t><t>So that she has no strong branch— a scepter for ruling.’ ” </t> <pb/> <f>[17†]</f>This <i>is</i> a lamentation, and has become a lamentation.


text:
<pb/>It came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth <i>month,</i> on the tenth <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> <f>[1†]</f>certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.


text:
“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Have you come to inquire of Me? <i>As</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, <f>[2†]</f>“I will not be inquired of by you.” ’


text:
Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge <i>them?</i> Then <f>[3†]</f>make known to them the abominations of their fathers.


text:
<pb/>“Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “On the day when <f>[4†]</f>I chose Israel and raised My hand in an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob, and made Myself <f>[5†]</f>known to them in the land of Egypt, I raised My hand in an oath to them, saying, <f>[6†]</f>‘I <i>am</i> the LORD your God.’


text:
On that day I raised My hand in an oath to them, <f>[7†]</f>to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, <f>[8†]</f>‘flowing with milk and honey,’ <f>[9†]</f>the glory of all lands.


text:
Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, <f>[10†]</f>throw away <f>[11†]</f>the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with <f>[12†]</f>the idols of Egypt. I <i>am</i> the LORD your God.’


text:
But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me. They did not all cast away the abominations which were before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said, ‘I will <f>[13†]</f>pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.’


text:
<f>[14†]</f>But I acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles among whom they <i>were,</i> in whose sight I had made Myself <f>[15†]</f>known to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore I <f>[16†]</f>made them go out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, <f>[18†]</f>‘which, <i>if</i> a man does, he shall live by them.’


text:
Moreover I also gave them My <f>[19†]</f>Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I <i>am</i> the LORD who sanctifies them.


text:
Yet the house of Israel <f>[20†]</f>rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they did not walk in My statutes; they <f>[21†]</f>despised My judgments, <f>[22†]</f>‘which, <i>if</i> a man does, he shall live by them’; and they greatly <f>[23†]</f>defiled My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My fury on them in the <f>[24†]</f>wilderness, to consume them.


text:
<f>[25†]</f>But I acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles, in whose sight I had brought them out.


text:
So <f>[26†]</f>I also raised My hand in an oath to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given <i>them,</i> <f>[27†]</f>‘flowing with milk and honey,’ <f>[28†]</f>the glory of all lands,


text:
<f>[29†]</f>because they despised My judgments and did not walk in My statutes, but profaned My Sabbaths; for <f>[30†]</f>their heart went after their idols.


text:
<f>[31†]</f>Nevertheless My eye spared them from destruction. I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.


text:
<pb/>“But I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols.


text:
<f>[33†]</f>hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I <i>am</i> the LORD your God.’


text:
<pb/>“Notwithstanding, <f>[34†]</f>the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments, <f>[35†]</f>‘which, <i>if</i> a man does, he shall live by them’; but they profaned My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the wilderness.


text:
Nevertheless I withdrew My hand and acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose sight I had brought them out.


text:
Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness, that <f>[36†]</f>I would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them throughout the countries,


text:
<f>[37†]</f>because they had not executed My judgments, but had despised My statutes, profaned My Sabbaths, and <f>[38†]</f>their eyes were fixed on their fathers’ idols.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore <f>[39†]</f>I also gave them up to statutes <i>that</i> <i>were</i> not good, and judgments by which they could not live;


text:
and I pronounced them unclean because of their ritual gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass <f>[40†]</f>through <i>the</i> <i>fire,</i> that I might make them desolate and that they <f>[41†]</f>might know that I am the LORD.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “In this too your fathers have <f>[42†]</f>blasphemed Me, by being unfaithful to Me.


text:
When I brought them into the land <i>concerning</i> which I had raised My hand in an oath to give them, and <f>[43†]</f>they saw all the high hills and all the thick trees, there they offered their sacrifices and provoked Me with their offerings. There they also sent up their <f>[44†]</f>sweet aroma and poured out their drink offerings.


text:
Then I said to them, ‘What <i>is</i> this high place to which you go?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.” ’


text:
Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Are you defiling yourselves in the manner of your <f>[45†]</f>fathers, and committing harlotry according to their <f>[46†]</f>abominations?


text:
For when you offer <f>[47†]</f>your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day. So shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? <i>As</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will <f>[48†]</f>not be inquired of by you.


text:
<f>[49†]</f>What you have in your mind shall never be, when you say, ‘We will be like the Gentiles, like the families in other countries, serving wood and stone.’


text:
<pb/>“<i>As</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely with a mighty hand, <f>[50†]</f>with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will rule over you.


text:
I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.


text:
And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there <f>[51†]</f>I will plead My case with you face to face.


text:
<f>[52†]</f>Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“I will make you <f>[53†]</f>pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the <f>[54†]</f>covenant;


text:
<f>[55†]</f>I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but <f>[56†]</f>they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“As for you, O house of Israel,” thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[57†]</f>“Go, serve every one of you his idols—and hereafter—if you will not obey Me; <f>[58†]</f>but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols.


text:
For <f>[59†]</f>on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “there <f>[60†]</f>all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me; there <f>[61†]</f>I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the firstfruits of your sacrifices, together with all your holy things.


text:
I will accept you as a <f>[62†]</f>sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles.


text:
<f>[63†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, <f>[64†]</f>when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country <i>for</i> which I raised My hand in an oath to give to your fathers.


text:
And <f>[65†]</f>there you shall remember your ways and all your doings with which you were defiled; and <f>[66†]</f>you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed.


text:
<f>[67†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I have dealt with you <f>[68†]</f>for My name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt doings, O house of Israel,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
<f>[69†]</f>“Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest land, the South,


text:
and say to the forest of the South, ‘Hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, <f>[70†]</f>I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour <f>[71†]</f>every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces <f>[72†]</f>from the south to the north shall be scorched by it.


text:
<f>[1†]</f>“Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, <f>[2†]</f>preach against the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel;


text:
and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I <i>am</i> <f>[3†]</f>against you, and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off both <f>[4†]</f>righteous and wicked from you.


text:
Because I will cut off both righteous and wicked from you, therefore My sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh <f>[5†]</f>from south <i>to</i> north,


text:
that all flesh may know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword out of its sheath; it <f>[6†]</f>shall not return anymore.” ’


text:
<f>[7†]</f>Sigh therefore, son of man, with a breaking heart, and sigh with bitterness before their eyes.


text:
And it shall be when they say to you, ‘Why are you sighing?’ that you shall answer, ‘Because of the news; when it comes, every heart will melt, <f>[8†]</f>all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak <i>as</i> water. Behold, it is coming and shall be brought to pass,’ says the Lord GOD.”


text:
“Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ Say: <pb/><t> <f>[9†]</f>‘A sword, a sword is sharpened </t><t>And also polished!</t>


text:
<t>Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter, </t><t>Polished to flash like lightning! </t><t>Should we then make mirth? </t><t>It despises the scepter of My son, </t><t><i>As</i> <i>it</i> <i>does</i> all wood.</t>


text:
<t>And He has given it to be polished, </t><t>That it may be handled; </t><t>This sword is sharpened, and it is polished </t><t>To be given into the hand of <f>[10†]</f>the slayer.’</t>


text:
<t>“Cry and wail, son of man; </t><t>For it will be against My people, </t><t>Against all the princes of Israel. </t><t>Terrors including the sword will be against My people; </t><t>Therefore <f>[11†]</f>strike <i>your</i> thigh.</t>


text:
<t>“Because <i>it</i> <i>is</i> <f>[12†]</f>a testing, </t><t>And what if <i>the</i> <i>sword</i> despises even the scepter? </t><t> <f>[13†]</f><i>The</i> <i>scepter</i> shall be no <i>more,</i>” </t> <pb/>says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/><t>“You therefore, son of man, prophesy, </t><t>And <f>[14†]</f>strike <i>your</i> hands together. </t><t>The third time let the sword do double <i>damage.</i> </t><t>It <i>is</i> the sword <i>that</i> slays, </t><t>The sword that slays the great <i>men,</i> </t><t>That enters their <f>[15†]</f>private chambers.</t>


text:
<t>I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, </t><t>That the heart may melt and many may stumble. </t><t>Ah! <f>[16†]</f><i>It</i> <i>is</i> made bright; </t><t><i>It</i> <i>is</i> grasped for slaughter:</t>


text:
<t>“Swords <f>[17†]</f> at the ready! </t><t>Thrust right! </t><t>Set your blade! </t><t>Thrust left— </t><t>Wherever your edge is ordered!</t>


text:
<t>“I also will <f>[18†]</f>beat My fists together, </t><t>And <f>[19†]</f>I will cause My fury to rest; </t><t>I, the LORD, have spoken.”</t>


text:
“And son of man, appoint for yourself two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to go; both of them shall go from the same land. Make a sign; put <i>it</i> at the head of the road to the city.


text:
Appoint a road for the sword to go to <f>[20†]</f>Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to Judah, into fortified Jerusalem.


text:
For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the fork of the two roads, to use divination: he shakes the arrows, he consults the images, he looks at the liver.


text:
In his right hand is the divination for Jerusalem: to set up battering rams, to call for a slaughter, to <f>[21†]</f>lift the voice with shouting, <f>[22†]</f>to set battering rams against the gates, to heap up a <i>siege</i> mound, and to build a wall.


text:
And it will be to them like a false divination in the eyes of those who <f>[23†]</f>have sworn oaths with them; but he will bring their iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins appear—because you have come to remembrance, you shall be taken in hand.


text:
<pb/>‘Now to you, O <f>[24†]</f>profane, wicked prince of Israel, <f>[25†]</f>whose day has come, whose iniquity <i>shall</i> end,


text:
thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“Remove the turban, and take off the crown; </t><t>Nothing <i>shall</i> <i>remain</i> the same. </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted.</t>


text:
<t>Overthrown, overthrown, </t><t>I will make it overthrown! </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>It shall be no <i>longer,</i> </t><t>Until He comes whose right it is, </t><t>And I will give it <i>to</i> <f>[28†]</f>Him.” ’</t>


text:
<pb/>“And you, son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD <f>[29†]</f>concerning the Ammonites and concerning their reproach,’ and say: <pb/><t>‘A sword, a sword <i>is</i> drawn, </t><t>Polished for slaughter, </t><t>For consuming, for flashing—</t>


text:
<t>While they <f>[30†]</f>see false visions for you, </t><t>While they divine a lie to you, </t><t>To bring you on the necks of the wicked, the slain </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>Whose day has come, </t><t>Whose iniquity <i>shall</i> end.</t>


text:
<t>‘Return <f>[32†]</f> <i>it</i> to its sheath. </t><t> <f>[33†]</f>I will judge you </t><t>In the place where you were created, </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>In the land of your nativity.</t>


text:
<t>I will <f>[35†]</f>pour out My indignation on you; </t><t>I will <f>[36†]</f>blow against you with the fire of My wrath, </t><t>And deliver you into the hands of brutal men <i>who</i> <i>are</i> skillful to <f>[37†]</f>destroy.</t>


text:
<t>You shall be fuel for the fire; </t><t>Your blood shall be in the midst of the land. </t><t> <f>[38†]</f>You shall not be remembered, </t><t>For I the LORD have spoken.’ ”</t>


text:
“Now, son of man, <f>[1†]</f>will you judge, will you judge <f>[2†]</f>the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations!


text:
Then say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “The city sheds <f>[3†]</f>blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself.


text:
You have become guilty by the blood which you have <f>[4†]</f>shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to <i>the</i> <i>end</i> <i>of</i> your years; <f>[5†]</f>therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries.


text:
<i>Those</i> near and <i>those</i> far from you will mock you as infamous <i>and</i> full of tumult.


text:
In you they have <f>[7†]</f>made light of father and mother; in your midst they have <f>[8†]</f>oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow.


text:
In you are <f>[10†]</f>men who slander to cause bloodshed; <f>[11†]</f>in you are those who eat on the mountains; in your midst they commit lewdness.


text:
In you men <f>[12†]</f>uncover their fathers’ nakedness; in you they violate women who are <f>[13†]</f>set apart during their impurity.


text:
One commits abomination <f>[14†]</f>with his neighbor’s wife; <f>[15†]</f>another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; and another in you violates his sister, his father’s <f>[16†]</f>daughter.


text:
In you <f>[17†]</f>they take bribes to shed blood; <f>[18†]</f>you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and <f>[19†]</f>have forgotten Me,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“Behold, therefore, I <f>[20†]</f>beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst.


text:
<f>[21†]</f>Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? <f>[22†]</f>I, the LORD, have spoken, and will do <i>it.</i>


text:
<f>[23†]</f>I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and <f>[24†]</f>remove your filthiness completely from you.


text:
You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then <f>[25†]</f>you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’ ”


text:
“Son of man, <f>[26†]</f>the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they <i>are</i> all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a <f>[27†]</f>furnace; they have become dross from silver.


text:
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.


text:
<i>As</i> <i>men</i> gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to <f>[28†]</f>melt <i>it;</i> so I will gather <i>you</i> in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave <i>you</i> <i>there</i> and melt you.


text:
Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst.


text:
As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have <f>[29†]</f>poured out My fury on you.’ ”


text:
“Son of man, say to her: ‘You <i>are</i> a land that is <f>[30†]</f>not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’


text:
<f>[31†]</f>The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they <f>[32†]</f>have devoured people; <f>[33†]</f>they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.


text:
<f>[34†]</f>Her priests have violated My law and <f>[35†]</f>profaned My holy things; they have not <f>[36†]</f>distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known <i>the</i> <i>difference</i> between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.


text:
Her <f>[37†]</f>princes in her midst <i>are</i> like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.


text:
<f>[38†]</f>Her prophets plastered them with untempered <i>mortar,</i> <f>[39†]</f>seeing false visions, and divining <f>[40†]</f>lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD had not spoken.


text:
The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully <f>[41†]</f>oppress the stranger.


text:
<f>[42†]</f>So I sought for a man among them who would <f>[43†]</f>make a wall, and <f>[44†]</f>stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.


text:
Therefore I have <f>[45†]</f>poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed <f>[46†]</f>their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<t> <f>[2†]</f>They committed harlotry in Egypt, </t><t>They committed harlotry in <f>[3†]</f>their youth; </t><t>Their breasts were there embraced, </t><t>Their virgin bosom was there pressed.</t>


text:
<t>Their names: Oholah the elder and Oholibah <f>[4†]</f>her sister; </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>They were Mine, </t><t>And they bore sons and daughters. </t><t><i>As</i> <i>for</i> their names, </t><t>Samaria <i>is</i> Oholah, and Jerusalem <i>is</i> Oholibah.</t>


text:
<t>“Oholah played the harlot even though she was Mine; </t><t>And she lusted for her lovers, the neighboring <f>[6†]</f>Assyrians,</t>


text:
<t><i>Who</i> <i>were</i> clothed in purple, </t><t>Captains and rulers, </t><t>All of them desirable young men, </t><t>Horsemen riding on horses.</t>


text:
<t>Thus she committed her harlotry with them, </t><t>All of them choice men of Assyria; </t><t>And with all for whom she lusted, </t><t>With all their idols, she defiled herself.</t>


text:
<t>She has never given up her harlotry <i>brought</i> <f>[7†]</f>from Egypt, </t><t>For in her youth they had lain with her, </t><t>Pressed her virgin bosom, </t><t>And poured out their immorality upon her.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore I have delivered her </t><t>Into the hand of her lovers, </t><t>Into the hand of the <f>[8†]</f>Assyrians, </t><t>For whom she lusted.</t>


text:
<t>They uncovered her nakedness, </t><t>Took away her sons and daughters, </t><t>And slew her with the sword; </t><t>She became a byword among women, </t><t>For they had executed judgment on her.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Now <f>[9†]</f>although her sister Oholibah saw <i>this,</i> <f>[10†]</f>she became more corrupt in her lust than she, and in her harlotry more corrupt than her sister’s harlotry.


text:
<pb/><t>“She lusted for the neighboring <f>[11†]</f>Assyrians, </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Captains and rulers, </t><t>Clothed most gorgeously, </t><t>Horsemen riding on horses, </t><t>All of them desirable young men.</t>


text:
<t>But she increased her harlotry; </t><t>She looked at men portrayed on the wall, </t><t>Images of <f>[13†]</f>Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion,</t>


text:
<t>Girded with belts around their waists, </t><t>Flowing turbans on their heads, </t><t>All of them looking like captains, </t><t>In the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, </t><t>The land of their nativity.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>As soon as her eyes saw them, </t><t>She lusted for them </t><t>And sent <f>[15†]</f>messengers to them in Chaldea.</t>


text:
<t>“Then the Babylonians came to her, into the bed of love, </t><t>And they defiled her with their immorality; </t><t>So she was defiled by them, <f>[16†]</f>and alienated herself from them.</t>


text:
<t>She revealed her harlotry and uncovered her nakedness. </t><t>Then <f>[17†]</f>I <f>[18†]</f>alienated Myself from her, </t><t>As I had alienated Myself from her sister.</t>


text:
<t>“Yet she multiplied her harlotry </t><t>In calling to remembrance the days of her youth, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>When she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>For she lusted for her paramours, </t><t>Whose flesh <i>is</i> <i>like</i> the flesh of donkeys, </t><t>And whose issue <i>is</i> <i>like</i> the issue of horses.</t>


text:
<t>Thus you called to remembrance the lewdness of your youth, </t><t>When the <f>[20†]</f>Egyptians pressed your bosom </t><t>Because of your youthful breasts.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Therefore, Oholibah, thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[21†]</f>‘Behold, I will stir up your lovers against you, </t><t>From whom you have alienated yourself, </t><t>And I will bring them against you from every side:</t>


text:
<t>The Babylonians, </t><t>All the Chaldeans, </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>Pekod, Shoa, Koa, </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>All the Assyrians with them, </t><t>All of them desirable young men, </t><t>Governors and rulers, </t><t>Captains and men of renown, </t><t>All of them riding on horses.</t>


text:
<t>And they shall come against you </t><t>With chariots, wagons, and war-horses, </t><t>With a horde of people. </t><t>They shall array against you </t><t>Buckler, shield, and helmet all around. </t><t>‘I will delegate judgment to them, </t><t>And they shall judge you according to their judgments.</t>


text:
<t>I will set My <f>[24†]</f>jealousy against you, </t><t>And they shall deal furiously with you; </t><t>They shall remove your nose and your ears, </t><t>And your remnant shall fall by the sword; </t><t>They shall take your sons and your daughters, </t><t>And your remnant shall be devoured by fire.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>They shall also strip you of your clothes </t><t>And take away your beautiful jewelry.</t>


text:
<t>‘Thus <f>[26†]</f>I will make you cease your lewdness and your <f>[27†]</f>harlotry </t><t><i>Brought</i> from the land of Egypt, </t><t>So that you will not lift your eyes to them, </t><t>Nor remember Egypt anymore.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I will deliver you into the hand of <f>[28†]</f>those you hate, into the hand <i>of</i> <i>those</i> <f>[29†]</f>from whom you alienated yourself.


text:
<f>[30†]</f>They will deal hatefully with you, take away all you have worked for, and <f>[31†]</f>leave you naked and bare. The nakedness of your harlotry shall be uncovered, both your lewdness and your harlotry.


text:
I will do these <i>things</i> to you because you have <f>[32†]</f>gone as a harlot after the Gentiles, because you have become defiled by their idols.


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>‘You shall drink of your sister’s cup, </t><t>The deep and wide one; </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>You shall be laughed to scorn </t><t>And held in derision; </t><t>It contains much.</t>


text:
<t>You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, </t><t>The cup of horror and desolation, </t><t>The cup of your sister Samaria.</t>


text:
<t>You shall <f>[35†]</f>drink and drain it, </t><t>You shall break its shards, </t><t>And tear at your own breasts; </t><t>For I have spoken,’ </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>‘Because you <f>[36†]</f>have forgotten Me and <f>[37†]</f>cast Me behind your back, </t><t>Therefore you shall bear the <i>penalty</i> </t><t><i>Of</i> your lewdness and your harlotry.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>The LORD also said to me: “Son of man, will you <f>[38†]</f>judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then <f>[39†]</f>declare to them their abominations.


text:
For they have committed adultery, and <f>[40†]</f>blood <i>is</i> on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even <i>sacrificed</i> their sons <f>[41†]</f>whom they bore to Me, passing them through <i>the</i> <i>fire,</i> to devour <i>them.</i>


text:
Moreover they have done this to Me: They have <f>[42†]</f>defiled My sanctuary on the same day and <f>[43†]</f>profaned My Sabbaths.


text:
For after they had slain their children for their idols, on the same day they came into My sanctuary to profane it; and indeed <f>[44†]</f>thus they have done in the midst of My house.


text:
<pb/>“Furthermore you sent for men to come from afar, <f>[45†]</f>to whom a messenger <i>was</i> sent; and there they came. And you <f>[46†]</f>washed yourself for them, <f>[47†]</f>painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments.


text:
You sat on a stately <f>[48†]</f>couch, with a table prepared before it, <f>[49†]</f>on which you had set My incense and My oil.


text:
The sound of a carefree multitude <i>was</i> with her, and Sabeans <i>were</i> brought from the wilderness with men of the common sort, who put bracelets on their wrists and beautiful crowns on their heads.


text:
Then I said concerning <i>her</i> <i>who</i> <i>had</i> <i>grown</i> old in adulteries, ‘Will they commit harlotry with her now, and she <i>with</i> <i>them?</i>’


text:
Yet they went in to her, as men go in to a woman who plays the harlot; thus they went in to Oholah and Oholibah, the lewd women.


text:
But righteous men will <f>[50†]</f>judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women who shed blood, because they <i>are</i> adulteresses, and <f>[51†]</f>blood <i>is</i> on their hands.


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[52†]</f>‘Bring up an assembly against them, give them up to trouble and plunder.


text:
<f>[53†]</f>The assembly shall stone them with stones and execute them with their swords; <f>[54†]</f>they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn their houses with fire.


text:
Thus <f>[55†]</f>I will cause lewdness to cease from the land, <f>[56†]</f>that all women may be taught not to practice your lewdness.


text:
They shall repay you for your lewdness, and you shall <f>[57†]</f>pay for your idolatrous sins. <f>[58†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth <i>day</i> of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
“Son of man, write down the name of the day, this very day—the king of Babylon started his siege against Jerusalem <f>[1†]</f>this very day.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>And utter a parable to the rebellious house, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[3†]</f>“Put on a pot, set <i>it</i> on, </t><t>And also pour water into it.</t>


text:
<t>Gather pieces <i>of</i> <i>meat</i> in it, </t><t>Every good piece, </t><t>The thigh and the shoulder. </t><t>Fill <i>it</i> with choice cuts;</t>


text:
<t>Take the choice of the flock. </t><t>Also pile <i>fuel</i> bones under it, </t><t>Make it boil well, </t><t>And let the cuts simmer in it.”</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“Woe to <f>[4†]</f>the bloody city, </t><t>To the pot whose scum <i>is</i> in it, </t><t>And whose scum is not gone from it! </t><t>Bring it out piece by piece, </t><t>On which no <f>[5†]</f>lot has fallen.</t>


text:
<t>For her blood is in her midst; </t><t>She set it on top of a rock; </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>She did not pour it on the ground, </t><t>To cover it with dust.</t>


text:
<t>That it may raise up fury and take vengeance, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>I have set her blood on top of a rock, </t><t>That it may not be covered.”</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[8†]</f>“Woe to the bloody city! </t><t>I too will make the pyre great.</t>


text:
<t>Heap on the wood, </t><t>Kindle the fire; </t><t>Cook the meat well, </t><t>Mix in the spices, </t><t>And let the cuts be burned up.</t>


text:
<t>“Then set the pot empty on the coals, </t><t>That it may become hot and its bronze may burn, </t><t><i>That</i> <f>[9†]</f>its filthiness may be melted in it, </t><t><i>That</i> its scum may be consumed.</t>


text:
<t>She has grown weary with lies, </t><t>And her great scum has not gone from her. </t><t><i>Let</i> her scum <i>be</i> in the fire!</t>


text:
<t>In your <f>[10†]</f>filthiness <i>is</i> lewdness. </t><t>Because I have cleansed you, and you were not cleansed, </t><t>You will <f>[11†]</f>not be cleansed of your filthiness anymore, </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Till I have caused My fury to rest upon you.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>I, the LORD, have spoken <i>it;</i> </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>It shall come to pass, and I will do <i>it;</i> </t><t>I will not hold back, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>Nor will I spare, </t><t>Nor will I relent; </t><t>According to your ways </t><t>And according to your deeds </t><t>They will judge you,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.’ ”</t>


text:
“Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall <f>[16†]</f>neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down.


text:
Sigh in silence, <f>[17†]</f>make no mourning for the dead; <f>[18†]</f>bind your turban on your head, and <f>[19†]</f>put your sandals on your feet; <f>[20†]</f>do not cover <i>your</i> lips, and do not eat man’s bread <i>of</i> <i>sorrow.</i>”


text:
<pb/>So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded.


text:
<pb/>And the people said to me, <f>[21†]</f>“Will you not tell us what these <i>things</i> <i>signify</i> to us, that you behave so?”


text:
‘Speak to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, <f>[22†]</f>I will profane My sanctuary, your arrogant boast, the desire of your eyes, the delight of your soul; <f>[23†]</f>and your sons and daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword.


text:
And you shall do as I have done; <f>[24†]</f>you shall not cover <i>your</i> lips nor eat man’s bread <i>of</i> <i>sorrow.</i>


text:
Your turbans shall be on your heads and your sandals on your feet; <f>[25†]</f>you shall neither mourn nor weep, but <f>[26†]</f>you shall pine away in your iniquities and mourn with one another.


text:
Thus <f>[27†]</f>Ezekiel is a sign to you; according to all that he has done you shall do; <f>[28†]</f>and when this comes, <f>[29†]</f>you shall know that I <i>am</i> the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
<pb/>‘And you, son of man—<i>will</i> <i>it</i> not <i>be</i> in the day when I take from them <f>[30†]</f>their stronghold, their joy and their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that on which they set their minds, their sons and their daughters:


text:
<i>that</i> on that day <f>[31†]</f>one who escapes will come to you to let <i>you</i> hear <i>it</i> with <i>your</i> ears?


text:
<f>[32†]</f>On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you shall speak and no longer be mute. Thus you will be a sign to them, and they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.’ ”


text:
Say to the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[3†]</f>“Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity,


text:
indeed, therefore, I will deliver you as a possession to the men of the East, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you; they shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk.


text:
And I will make <f>[4†]</f>Rabbah <f>[5†]</f>a stable for camels and Ammon a resting place for flocks. <f>[6†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.”


text:
<pb/>‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you <f>[7†]</f>clapped <i>your</i> hands, stamped your feet, and <f>[8†]</f>rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel,


text:
indeed, therefore, I will <f>[9†]</f>stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because <f>[10†]</f>Moab and <f>[11†]</f>Seir say, ‘Look! The house of Judah <i>is</i> like all the nations,’


text:
therefore, behold, I will clear the territory of Moab of cities, of the cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and <f>[12†]</f>Kirjathaim.


text:
<f>[13†]</f>To the men of the East I will give it as a possession, together with the Ammonites, that the Ammonites <f>[14†]</f>may not be remembered among the nations.


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[15†]</f>“Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them,”


text:
therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I will also stretch out My hand against Edom, cut off man and beast from it, and make it desolate from Teman; Dedan shall fall by the sword.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, that they may do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[17†]</f>“Because <f>[18†]</f>the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,”


text:
therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[19†]</f>“I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the <f>[20†]</f>Cherethites <f>[21†]</f>and destroy the remnant of the seacoast.


text:
I will <f>[22†]</f>execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; <f>[23†]</f>and they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>And it came to pass in the eleventh year, on the first <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
“Son of man, <f>[1†]</f>because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, <f>[2†]</f>‘Aha! She is broken who <i>was</i> the gateway of the peoples; now she is turned over to me; I shall be filled; she is laid waste.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up.


text:
And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and <f>[3†]</f>make her like the top of a rock.


text:
It shall be <i>a</i> <i>place</i> <i>for</i> spreading nets <f>[4†]</f>in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken,’ says the Lord GOD; ‘it shall become plunder for the nations.


text:
Also her daughter <i>villages</i> which <i>are</i> in the fields shall be slain by the sword. <f>[5†]</f>Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north <f>[6†]</f>Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, <f>[7†]</f>king of kings, with horses, with chariots, and with horsemen, and an army with many people.


text:
He will slay with the sword your daughter <i>villages</i> in the fields; he will <f>[8†]</f>heap up a siege mound against you, build a wall against you, and raise a defense against you.


text:
He will direct his battering rams against your walls, and with his axes he will break down your towers.


text:
Because of the abundance of his horses, their dust will cover you; your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen, the wagons, and the chariots, when he enters your gates, as men enter a city that has been breached.


text:
With the hooves of his <f>[9†]</f>horses he will trample all your streets; he will slay your people by the sword, and your strong pillars will fall to the ground.


text:
They will plunder your riches and pillage your merchandise; they will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses; they will lay your stones, your timber, and your soil in the <f>[10†]</f>midst of the water.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>I will put an end to the sound of <f>[12†]</f>your songs, and the sound of your harps shall be heard no more.


text:
<f>[13†]</f>I will make you like the top of a rock; you shall be <i>a</i> <i>place</i> <i>for</i> spreading nets, and you shall never be rebuilt, for I the LORD have spoken,’ says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the Lord GOD to Tyre: ‘Will the coastlands not <f>[14†]</f>shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded cry, when slaughter is made in the midst of you?


text:
Then all the <f>[15†]</f>princes of the sea will <f>[16†]</f>come down from their thrones, lay aside their robes, and take off their embroidered garments; they will clothe themselves with trembling; <f>[17†]</f>they will sit on the ground, <f>[18†]</f>tremble <i>every</i> moment, and <f>[19†]</f>be astonished at you.


text:
And they will take up a <f>[20†]</f>lamentation for you, and say to you: <pb/><t>“How you have perished, </t><t>O one inhabited by seafaring men, </t><t>O renowned city, </t><t>Who was <f>[21†]</f>strong at sea, </t><t>She and her inhabitants, </t><t>Who caused their terror <i>to</i> <i>be</i> on all her inhabitants!</t>


text:
<t>Now <f>[22†]</f>the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall; </t><t>Yes, the coastlands by the sea are troubled at your departure.” ’</t>


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘When I make you a desolate city, like cities that are not inhabited, when I bring the deep upon you, and great waters cover you,


text:
then I will bring you down <f>[23†]</f>with those who descend into the Pit, to the people of old, and I will make you dwell in the lowest part of the earth, in places desolate from antiquity, with those who go down to the Pit, so that you may never be inhabited; and I shall establish glory <f>[24†]</f>in the land of the living.


text:
<f>[25†]</f>I will make you a terror, and you <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> no <i>more;</i> <f>[26†]</f>though you are sought for, you will never be found again,’ says the Lord GOD.”


text:
and say to Tyre, <f>[2†]</f>‘You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, <f>[3†]</f>merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“O Tyre, you have said, </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>‘I <i>am</i> perfect in beauty.’</t>


text:
<t>Your borders <i>are</i> in the midst of the seas. </t><t>Your builders have perfected your beauty.</t>


text:
<t>They made all <i>your</i> planks of fir trees from <f>[5†]</f>Senir; </t><t>They took a cedar from Lebanon to make you a mast.</t>


text:
<t><i>Of</i> <f>[6†]</f>oaks from Bashan they made your oars; </t><t>The company of Ashurites have inlaid your planks </t><t><i>With</i> ivory from <f>[7†]</f>the coasts of Cyprus.</t>


text:
<t>Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was what you spread for your sail; </t><t>Blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah was what covered you.</t>


text:
<t>“Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; </t><t>Your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; </t><t>They became your pilots.</t>


text:
<t>Elders of <f>[8†]</f>Gebal and its wise men </t><t>Were in you to caulk your seams; </t><t>All the ships of the sea </t><t>And their oarsmen were in you </t><t>To market your merchandise.</t>


text:
<t>“Those from Persia, Lydia, and Libya </t><t>Were in your army as men of war; </t><t>They hung shield and helmet in you; </t><t>They gave splendor to you.</t>


text:
<t>Men of Arvad with your army <i>were</i> on your walls <i>all</i> around, </t><t>And the men of Gammad were in your towers; </t><t>They hung their shields on your walls <i>all</i> around; </t><t>They made <f>[9†]</f>your beauty perfect.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[10†]</f>“Tarshish <i>was</i> your merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>Javan, Tubal, and Meshech <i>were</i> your traders. They bartered <f>[12†]</f>human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise.


text:
The men of <f>[14†]</f>Dedan <i>were</i> your traders; many isles <i>were</i> the market of your hand. They brought you ivory tusks and ebony as payment.


text:
Syria <i>was</i> your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies.


text:
Judah and the land of Israel <i>were</i> your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of <f>[15†]</f>Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and <f>[16†]</f>balm.


text:
Damascus <i>was</i> your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxury items, with the wine of Helbon and with white wool.


text:
Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise.


text:
Arabia and all the princes of <f>[18†]</f>Kedar <i>were</i> your regular merchants. They traded with you in lambs, rams, and goats.


text:
The merchants of <f>[19†]</f>Sheba and Raamah <i>were</i> your merchants. They traded for your wares the choicest spices, all kinds of precious stones, and gold.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of <f>[21†]</f>Sheba, Assyria, <i>and</i> Chilmad <i>were</i> your merchants.


text:
These <i>were</i> your merchants in choice items—in purple clothes, in embroidered garments, in chests of multicolored apparel, in sturdy woven cords, which were in your marketplace.


text:
<pb/><t>“The <f>[22†]</f>ships of Tarshish were carriers of your merchandise. </t><t>You were filled and very glorious <f>[23†]</f>in the midst of the seas.</t>


text:
<t>Your oarsmen brought you into many waters, </t><t>But <f>[24†]</f>the east wind broke you in the midst of the seas.</t>


text:
<t>“Your <f>[25†]</f>riches, wares, and merchandise, </t><t>Your mariners and pilots, </t><t>Your caulkers and merchandisers, </t><t>All your men of war who <i>are</i> in you, </t><t>And the entire company which <i>is</i> in your midst, </t><t>Will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin.</t>


text:
<t>“All <f>[27†]</f>who handle the oar, </t><t>The mariners, </t><t>All the pilots of the sea </t><t>Will come down from their ships <i>and</i> stand on the shore.</t>


text:
<t>They will make their voice heard because of you; </t><t>They will cry bitterly and <f>[28†]</f>cast dust on their heads; </t><t>They <f>[29†]</f>will roll about in ashes;</t>


text:
<t>They will <f>[30†]</f>shave themselves completely bald because of you, </t><t>Gird themselves with sackcloth, </t><t>And weep for you </t><t>With bitterness of heart <i>and</i> bitter wailing.</t>


text:
<t>In their wailing for you </t><t>They will <f>[31†]</f>take up a lamentation, </t><t>And lament for you: </t><t> <f>[32†]</f>‘What <i>city</i> <i>is</i> like Tyre, </t><t>Destroyed in the midst of the sea?</t>


text:
<t>‘When <f>[33†]</f> your wares went out by sea, </t><t>You satisfied many people; </t><t>You enriched the kings of the earth </t><t>With your many luxury goods and your merchandise.</t>


text:
<t>But <f>[34†]</f>you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters; </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>Your merchandise and the entire company will fall in your midst.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[36†]</f>All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you; </t><t>Their kings will be greatly afraid, </t><t>And <i>their</i> countenance will be troubled.</t>


text:
<t>The merchants among the peoples <f>[37†]</f>will hiss at you; </t><t> <f>[38†]</f>You will become a horror, and <i>be</i> no <f>[39†]</f>more forever.’ ” ’ ”</t>


text:
“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“Because your heart <i>is</i> <f>[1†]</f>lifted up, </t><t>And <f>[2†]</f>you say, ‘I <i>am</i> a god, </t><t>I sit <i>in</i> the seat of gods, </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>In the midst of the seas,’ </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Yet you <i>are</i> a man, and not a god, </t><t>Though you set your heart as the heart of a god</t>


text:
<t>(Behold, <f>[5†]</f>you <i>are</i> wiser than Daniel! </t><t>There is no secret that can be hidden from you!</t>


text:
<t>With your wisdom and your understanding </t><t>You have gained <f>[6†]</f>riches for yourself, </t><t>And gathered gold and silver into your treasuries;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, </t><t>And your heart is lifted up because of your riches),”</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“Because you have set your heart as the heart of a god,</t>


text:
<t>Behold, therefore, I will bring <f>[8†]</f>strangers against you, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>The most terrible of the nations; </t><t>And they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, </t><t>And defile your splendor.</t>


text:
<t>They shall throw you down into the <f>[10†]</f>Pit, </t><t>And you shall die the death of the slain </t><t>In the midst of the seas.</t>


text:
<t>“Will you still <f>[11†]</f>say before him who slays you, </t><t>‘I <i>am</i> a god’? </t><t>But you <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> a man, and not a god, </t><t>In the hand of him who slays you.</t>


text:
<t>You shall die the death of <f>[12†]</f>the uncircumcised </t><t>By the hand of aliens; </t><t>For I have spoken,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”</t>


text:
“Son of man, <f>[13†]</f>take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[14†]</f>“You <i>were</i> the seal of perfection, </t><t>Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.</t>


text:
<t>You were in <f>[15†]</f>Eden, the garden of God; </t><t>Every precious stone <i>was</i> your covering: </t><t>The sardius, topaz, and diamond, </t><t>Beryl, onyx, and jasper, </t><t>Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. </t><t>The workmanship of <f>[16†]</f>your timbrels and pipes </t><t>Was prepared for you on the day you were created.</t>


text:
<t>“You <i>were</i> the anointed <f>[17†]</f>cherub who covers; </t><t>I established you; </t><t>You were on <f>[18†]</f>the holy mountain of God; </t><t>You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.</t>


text:
<t>You <i>were</i> perfect in your ways from the day you were created, </t><t>Till <f>[19†]</f>iniquity was found in you.</t>


text:
<t>“By the abundance of your trading </t><t>You became filled with violence within, </t><t>And you sinned; </t><t>Therefore I cast you as a profane thing </t><t>Out of the mountain of God; </t><t>And I destroyed you, <f>[20†]</f>O covering cherub, </t><t>From the midst of the fiery stones.</t>


text:
<t>“Your <f>[21†]</f>heart was lifted up because of your beauty; </t><t>You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; </t><t>I cast you to the ground, </t><t>I laid you before kings, </t><t>That they might gaze at you.</t>


text:
<t>“You defiled your sanctuaries </t><t>By the multitude of your iniquities, </t><t>By the iniquity of your trading; </t><t>Therefore I brought fire from your midst; </t><t>It devoured you, </t><t>And I turned you to ashes upon the earth </t><t>In the sight of all who saw you.</t>


text:
<t>All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>You have become a horror, </t><t>And <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> no <f>[23†]</f>more forever.” ’ ”</t>


text:
and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[26†]</f>“Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, O Sidon; </t><t>I will be glorified in your midst; </t><t>And <f>[27†]</f>they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, </t><t>When I execute judgments in her and am <f>[28†]</f>hallowed in her.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[29†]</f>For I will send pestilence upon her, </t><t>And blood in her streets; </t><t>The wounded shall be judged in her midst </t><t>By the sword against her on every side; </t><t>Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>“And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or <f>[30†]</f>a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all <i>who</i> <i>are</i> around them, who <f>[31†]</f>despise them. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the Lord GOD.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “When I have <f>[32†]</f>gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am <f>[33†]</f>hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob.


text:
And they will <f>[34†]</f>dwell safely there, <f>[35†]</f>build houses, and <f>[36†]</f>plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD their God.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>In the tenth year, in the tenth <i>month,</i> on the twelfth <i>day</i> of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
“Son of man, <f>[1†]</f>set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and <f>[2†]</f>against all Egypt.


text:
Speak, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[3†]</f>“Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, </t><t>O Pharaoh king of Egypt, </t><t>O great <f>[4†]</f>monster who lies in the midst of his rivers, </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>Who has said, ‘My River <i>is</i> my own; </t><t>I have made <i>it</i> for myself.’</t>


text:
<t>But <f>[6†]</f>I will put hooks in your jaws, </t><t>And cause the fish of your rivers to stick to your scales; </t><t>I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers, </t><t>And all the fish in your rivers will stick to your scales.</t>


text:
<t>I will leave you in the wilderness, </t><t>You and all the fish of your rivers; </t><t>You shall fall on the open <f>[7†]</f>field; </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>You shall not be picked up or gathered. </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>I have given you as food </t><t>To the beasts of the field </t><t>And to the birds of the heavens.</t>


text:
<t>“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt </t><t>Shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, </t><t>Because they have been a <f>[10†]</f>staff of reed to the house of Israel.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>When they took hold of you with the hand, </t><t>You broke and tore all their shoulders; </t><t>When they leaned on you, </t><t>You broke and made all their backs quiver.”</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will bring <f>[12†]</f>a sword upon you and cut off from you man and beast.


text:
And the land of Egypt shall become <f>[13†]</f>desolate and waste; then they will know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, because he said, ‘The River <i>is</i> mine, and I have made <i>it.</i>’


text:
Indeed, therefore, I <i>am</i> against you and against your rivers, <f>[14†]</f>and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, <f>[15†]</f>from Migdol <i>to</i> Syene, as far as the border of Ethiopia.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>Neither foot of man shall pass through it nor foot of beast pass through it, and it shall be uninhabited forty years.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries <i>that</i> <i>are</i> desolate; and among the cities <i>that</i> <i>are</i> laid waste, her cities shall be desolate forty years; and I will <f>[18†]</f>scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.”


text:
<pb/>‘Yet, thus says the Lord GOD: “At the <f>[19†]</f>end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered.


text:
I will bring back the captives of Egypt and cause them to return to the land of Pathros, to the land of their origin, and there they shall be a <f>[20†]</f>lowly kingdom.


text:
It shall be the lowliest of kingdoms; it shall never again exalt itself above the nations, for I will diminish them so that they will not rule over the nations anymore.


text:
No longer shall it be <f>[21†]</f>the confidence of the house of Israel, but will remind them of <i>their</i> iniquity when they turned to follow them. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the Lord GOD.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>And it came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first <i>month,</i> on the first <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
“Son of man, <f>[22†]</f>Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to labor strenuously against Tyre; every head <i>was</i> made <f>[23†]</f>bald, and every shoulder rubbed raw; yet neither he nor his army received wages from Tyre, for the labor which they expended on it.


text:
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I will give the land of Egypt to <f>[24†]</f>Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he shall take away her wealth, carry off her spoil, and remove her pillage; and that will be the wages for his army.


text:
I have given him the land of Egypt <i>for</i> his labor, because they <f>[25†]</f>worked for Me,’ says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>‘In that day <f>[26†]</f>I will cause the horn of the house of Israel to spring forth, and I will <f>[27†]</f>open your mouth to speak in their midst. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.’ ”


text:
“Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[1†]</f>“Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[2†]</f>the day <i>is</i> near, </t><t>Even the day of the LORD <i>is</i> near; </t><t>It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.</t>


text:
<t>The sword shall come upon Egypt, </t><t>And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia, </t><t>When the slain fall in Egypt, </t><t>And they <f>[3†]</f>take away her wealth, </t><t>And <f>[4†]</f>her foundations are broken down.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, <f>[5†]</f>all the mingled people, Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Those who uphold Egypt shall fall, </t><t>And the pride of her power shall come down. </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>From Migdol <i>to</i> Syene </t><t>Those within her shall fall by the sword,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<t>“They <f>[7†]</f> shall be desolate in the midst of the desolate countries, </t><t>And her cities shall be in the midst of the cities <i>that</i> <i>are</i> laid waste.</t>


text:
<t>Then they will know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, </t><t>When I have set a fire in Egypt </t><t>And all her helpers are destroyed.</t>


text:
<t>On that day <f>[8†]</f>messengers shall go forth from Me in ships </t><t>To make the careless Ethiopians afraid, </t><t>And great anguish shall come upon them, </t><t>As on the day of Egypt; </t><t>For indeed it is coming!”</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t> <f>[9†]</f>“I will also make a multitude of Egypt to cease </t><t>By the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.</t>


text:
<t>He and his people with him, <f>[10†]</f>the most terrible of the nations, </t><t>Shall be brought to destroy the land; </t><t>They shall draw their swords against Egypt, </t><t>And fill the land with the slain.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>I will make the rivers dry, </t><t>And <f>[12†]</f>sell the land into the hand of the wicked; </t><t>I will make the land waste, and all that is in it, </t><t>By the hand of aliens. </t><t>I, the LORD, have spoken.”</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“I will also <f>[13†]</f>destroy the idols, </t><t>And cause the images to cease from Noph; </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>There shall no longer be princes from the land of Egypt; </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>I will put fear in the land of Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>I will make <f>[16†]</f>Pathros desolate, </t><t>Set fire to <f>[17†]</f>Zoan, </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>And execute judgments in No.</t>


text:
<t>I will pour My fury on Sin, the strength of Egypt; </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>I will cut off the multitude of No,</t>


text:
<t>And <f>[20†]</f>set a fire in Egypt; </t><t>Sin shall have great pain, </t><t>No shall be split open, </t><t>And Noph <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> <i>in</i> distress daily.</t>


text:
<t>The young men of Aven and Pi Beseth shall fall by the sword, </t><t>And these <i>cities</i> shall go into captivity.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[21†]</f>At Tehaphnehes the day shall also be darkened, </t><t>When I break the yokes of Egypt there. </t><t>And her arrogant strength shall cease in her; </t><t>As for her, a cloud shall cover her, </t><t>And her daughters shall go into captivity.</t>


text:
<t>Thus I will <f>[22†]</f>execute judgments on Egypt, </t><t>Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first <i>month,</i> on the seventh <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
“Son of man, I have <f>[23†]</f>broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and see, <f>[24†]</f>it has not been bandaged for healing, nor a splint put on to bind it, to make it strong enough to hold a sword.


text:
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I <i>am</i> <f>[25†]</f>against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will <f>[26†]</f>break his arms, both the strong one and the one that was broken; and I will make the sword fall out of his hand.


text:
<f>[27†]</f>I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them throughout the countries.


text:
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put My sword in his hand; but I will break Pharaoh’s arms, and he will groan before him with the groanings of a mortally wounded <i>man.</i>


text:
Thus I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; <f>[28†]</f>they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt.


text:
<f>[29†]</f>I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Now it came to pass in the <f>[1†]</f>eleventh year, in the third <i>month,</i> on the first <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: <pb/><t> <f>[2†]</f>‘Whom are you like in your greatness?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[3†]</f>Indeed Assyria <i>was</i> a cedar in Lebanon, </t><t>With fine branches that shaded the forest, </t><t>And of high stature; </t><t>And its top was among the thick boughs.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>The waters made it grow; </t><t>Underground waters gave it height, </t><t>With their rivers running around the place where it was planted, </t><t>And sent out rivulets to all the trees of the field.</t>


text:
<t>‘Therefore <f>[5†]</f>its height was exalted above all the trees of the field; </t><t>Its boughs were multiplied, </t><t>And its branches became long because of the abundance of water, </t><t>As it sent them out.</t>


text:
<t>All the <f>[6†]</f>birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; </t><t>Under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young; </t><t>And in its shadow all great nations made their home.</t>


text:
<t>‘Thus it was beautiful in greatness and in the length of its branches, </t><t>Because its roots reached to abundant waters.</t>


text:
<t>The cedars in the <f>[7†]</f>garden of God could not hide it; </t><t>The fir trees were not like its boughs, </t><t>And the chestnut trees were not like its branches; </t><t>No tree in the garden of God was like it in beauty.</t>


text:
<t>I made it beautiful with a multitude of branches, </t><t>So that all the trees of Eden envied it, </t><t>That <i>were</i> in the garden of God.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have increased in height, and it set its top among the thick boughs, and <f>[8†]</f>its heart was lifted up in its height,


text:
therefore I will deliver it into the hand of the <f>[9†]</f>mighty one of the nations, and he shall surely deal with it; I have driven it out for its wickedness.


text:
And aliens, <f>[10†]</f>the most terrible of the nations, have cut it down and left it; its branches have fallen <f>[11†]</f>on the mountains and in all the valleys; its boughs lie <f>[12†]</f>broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the peoples of the earth have gone from under its shadow and left it.


text:
<pb/><t>‘On <f>[13†]</f>its ruin will remain all the birds of the heavens, </t><t>And all the beasts of the field will come to its branches—</t>


text:
<pb/>‘So that no trees by the waters may ever again exalt themselves for their height, nor set their tops among the thick boughs, that no tree which drinks water may ever be high enough to reach up to them. <pb/><t>‘For <f>[14†]</f>they have all been delivered to death, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>To the depths of the earth, </t><t>Among the children of men who go down to the Pit.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘In the day when it <f>[16†]</f>went down to hell, I caused mourning. I covered the deep because of it. I restrained its rivers, and the great waters were held back. I caused Lebanon to mourn for it, and all the trees of the field wilted because of it.


text:
I made the nations <f>[17†]</f>shake at the sound of its fall, when I <f>[18†]</f>cast it down to hell together with those who descend into the Pit; and <f>[19†]</f>all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, <f>[20†]</f>were comforted in the depths of the earth.


text:
They also went down to hell with it, with those slain by the sword; and <i>those</i> <i>who</i> <i>were</i> its <i>strong</i> arm <f>[21†]</f>dwelt in its shadows among the nations.


text:
<pb/> <f>[22†]</f>‘To which of the trees in Eden will you then be likened in glory and greatness? Yet you shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the depths of the earth; <f>[23†]</f>you shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with <i>those</i> slain by the sword. This <i>is</i> Pharaoh and all his multitude,’ says the Lord GOD.”


text:
<pb/>And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the <f>[1†]</f>twelfth <i>month,</i> on the first <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> the word of the LORD came to me, saying,


text:
“Son of man, <f>[2†]</f>take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say to him: <pb/><t> <f>[3†]</f>‘You are like a young lion among the nations, </t><t>And <f>[4†]</f>you <i>are</i> like a monster in the seas, </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>Bursting forth in your rivers, </t><t>Troubling the waters with your feet, </t><t>And <f>[6†]</f>fouling their rivers.</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“I will therefore <f>[7†]</f>spread My net over you with a company of many people, </t><t>And they will draw you up in My net.</t>


text:
<t>Then <f>[8†]</f>I will leave you on the land; </t><t>I will cast you out on the open fields, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>And cause to settle on you all the birds of the heavens. </t><t>And with you I will fill the beasts of the whole earth.</t>


text:
<t>I will lay your flesh <f>[10†]</f>on the mountains, </t><t>And fill the valleys with your carcass.</t>


text:
<t>“I will also water the land with the flow of your blood, </t><t><i>Even</i> to the mountains; </t><t>And the riverbeds will be full of you.</t>


text:
<t>When <i>I</i> put out your light, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark; </t><t>I will cover the sun with a cloud, </t><t>And the moon shall not give her light.</t>


text:
<t>All the bright lights of the heavens I will make dark over you, </t><t>And bring darkness upon your land,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<pb/>‘I will also trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries which you have not known.


text:
Yes, I will make many peoples astonished at you, and their kings shall be horribly afraid of you when I brandish My sword before them; and <f>[12†]</f>they shall tremble <i>every</i> moment, every man for his own life, in the day of your fall.


text:
<pb/> <f>[13†]</f>‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you.


text:
By the swords of the mighty warriors, all of them <f>[14†]</f>the most terrible of the nations, I will cause your multitude to fall. <pb/><t> <f>[15†]</f>“They shall plunder the pomp of Egypt, </t><t>And all its multitude shall be destroyed.</t>


text:
<t>Also I will destroy all its animals </t><t>From beside its great waters; </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>The foot of man shall muddy them no more, </t><t>Nor shall the hooves of animals muddy them.</t>


text:
<t>Then I will make their waters clear, </t><t>And make their rivers run like oil,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<t>“When I make the land of Egypt desolate, </t><t>And the country is destitute of all that once filled it, </t><t>When I strike all who dwell in it, </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“This <i>is</i> the <f>[18†]</f>lamentation </t><t>With which they shall lament her; </t><t>The daughters of the nations shall lament her; </t><t>They shall lament for her, for Egypt, </t><t>And for all her multitude,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>It came to pass also in the twelfth year, on the fifteenth <i>day</i> of the month, <f>[19†]</f><i>that</i> the word of the LORD came to me, saying:


text:
<pb/><t>“Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt, </t><t>And <f>[20†]</f>cast them down to the depths of the earth, </t><t>Her and the daughters of the famous nations, </t><t>With those who go down to the Pit:</t>


text:
<t>‘Whom <f>[21†]</f>do you surpass in beauty? </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>Go down, be placed with the uncircumcised.’</t>


text:
<t>“They shall fall in the midst of <i>those</i> slain by the sword; </t><t>She is delivered to the sword, </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>Drawing her and all her multitudes.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>The strong among the mighty </t><t>Shall speak to him out of the midst of hell </t><t>With those who help him: </t><t>‘They have <f>[25†]</f>gone down, </t><t>They lie with the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’</t>


text:
<t>“Assyria <f>[26†]</f> <i>is</i> there, and all her company, </t><t>With their graves all around her, </t><t>All of them slain, fallen by the sword.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[27†]</f>Her graves are set in the recesses of the Pit, </t><t>And her company is all around her grave, </t><t>All of them slain, fallen by the sword, </t><t>Who <f>[28†]</f>caused terror in the land of the living.</t>


text:
<t>“There <i>is</i> <f>[29†]</f>Elam and all her multitude, </t><t>All around her grave, </t><t>All of them slain, fallen by the sword, </t><t>Who have <f>[30†]</f>gone down uncircumcised to the lower parts of the earth, </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>Who caused their terror in the land of the living; </t><t>Now they bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit.</t>


text:
<t>They have set her <f>[32†]</f>bed in the midst of the slain, </t><t>With all her multitude, </t><t>With her graves all around it, </t><t>All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; </t><t>Though their terror was caused </t><t>In the land of the living, </t><t>Yet they bear their shame </t><t>With those who go down to the Pit; </t><t>It was put in the midst of the slain.</t>


text:
<t>“There <i>are</i> <f>[33†]</f>Meshech and Tubal and all their multitudes, </t><t>With all their graves around it, </t><t>All of them <f>[34†]</f>uncircumcised, slain by the sword, </t><t>Though they caused their terror in the land of the living.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[35†]</f>They do not lie with the mighty </t><t><i>Who</i> <i>are</i> fallen of the uncircumcised, </t><t>Who have gone down to hell with their weapons of war; </t><t>They have laid their swords under their heads, </t><t>But their iniquities will be on their bones, </t><t>Because of the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.</t>


text:
<t>Yes, you shall be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised, </t><t>And lie with <i>those</i> slain by the sword.</t>


text:
<t>“There <i>is</i> <f>[36†]</f>Edom, </t><t>Her kings and all her princes, </t><t>Who despite their might </t><t>Are laid beside <i>those</i> slain by the sword; </t><t>They shall lie with the uncircumcised, </t><t>And with those who go down to the Pit.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[37†]</f>There <i>are</i> the princes of the north, </t><t>All of them, and all the <f>[38†]</f>Sidonians, </t><t>Who have gone down with the slain </t><t>In shame at the terror which they caused by their might; </t><t>They lie uncircumcised with <i>those</i> slain by the sword, </t><t>And bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit.</t>


text:
<t>“Pharaoh will see them </t><t>And be <f>[39†]</f>comforted over all his multitude, </t><t>Pharaoh and all his army, </t><t>Slain by the sword,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<t>“For I have caused My terror in the land of the living; </t><t>And he shall be placed in the midst of the uncircumcised </t><t>With <i>those</i> slain by the sword, </t><t>Pharaoh and all his multitude,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
“Son of man, speak to <f>[1†]</f>the children of your people, and say to them: <f>[2†]</f>‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their <f>[3†]</f>watchman,


text:
then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does <f>[4†]</f>not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, <f>[5†]</f>his blood shall be on his <i>own</i> head.


text:
He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life.


text:
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes <i>any</i> person from among them, <f>[6†]</f>he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’


text:
<pb/> <f>[7†]</f>“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.


text:
When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked <i>man,</i> you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked <i>man</i> shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.


text:
Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins <i>lie</i> upon us, and we <f>[8†]</f>pine away in them, <f>[9†]</f>how can we then live?” ’


text:
Say to them: ‘<i>As</i> I live,’ says the Lord GOD, <f>[10†]</f>‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked <f>[11†]</f>turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For <f>[12†]</f>why should you die, O house of Israel?’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore you, O son of man, say to the children of your people: ‘The <f>[13†]</f>righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, <f>[14†]</f>he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of <i>his</i> <i>righteousness</i> in the day that he sins.’


text:
When I say to the righteous <i>that</i> he shall surely live, <f>[15†]</f>but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die.


text:
Again, <f>[16†]</f>when I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right,


text:
<i>if</i> the wicked <f>[17†]</f>restores the pledge, <f>[18†]</f>gives back what he has stolen, and walks in <f>[19†]</f>the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>None of his sins which he has committed shall be remembered against him; he has done what is lawful and right; he shall surely live.


text:
<pb/> <f>[21†]</f>“Yet the children of your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ But it is their way which is not fair!


text:
<f>[22†]</f>When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it.


text:
But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it.


text:
Yet you say, <f>[23†]</f>‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways.”


text:
<pb/>And it came to pass in the twelfth year <f>[24†]</f>of our captivity, in the tenth <i>month,</i> on the fifth <i>day</i> of the month, <f>[25†]</f><i>that</i> one who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, <f>[26†]</f>“The city has been captured!”


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[27†]</f>the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the man came who had escaped. And He had <f>[28†]</f>opened my mouth; so when he came to me in the morning, my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute.


text:
“Son of man, <f>[29†]</f>they who inhabit those <f>[30†]</f>ruins in the land of Israel are saying, <f>[31†]</f>‘Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. <f>[32†]</f>But we <i>are</i> many; the land has been given to us as a <f>[33†]</f>possession.’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[34†]</f>“You eat <i>meat</i> with blood, you <f>[35†]</f>lift up your eyes toward your idols, and <f>[36†]</f>shed blood. Should you then possess the <f>[37†]</f>land?


text:
You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and you <f>[38†]</f>defile one another’s wives. Should you then possess the land?” ’


text:
<pb/>“Say thus to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “<i>As</i> I live, surely <f>[39†]</f>those who <i>are</i> in the ruins shall fall by the sword, and the one who <i>is</i> in the open field <f>[40†]</f>I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who <i>are</i> in the strongholds and <f>[41†]</f>caves shall die of the pestilence.


text:
<f>[42†]</f>For I will make the land most desolate, her <f>[43†]</f>arrogant strength shall cease, and <f>[44†]</f>the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that no one will pass through.


text:
Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I have made the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.” ’


text:
<pb/>“As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they <f>[45†]</f>speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’


text:
So <f>[46†]</f>they come to you as people do, they <f>[47†]</f>sit before you <i>as</i> My people, and they <f>[48†]</f>hear your words, but they do not do them; <f>[49†]</f>for with their mouth they show much love, <i>but</i> <f>[50†]</f>their hearts pursue their <i>own</i> gain.


text:
Indeed you <i>are</i> to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do <f>[51†]</f>not do them.


text:
<f>[52†]</f>And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then <f>[53†]</f>they will know that a prophet has been among them.”


text:
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: <f>[1†]</f>“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?


text:
<f>[2†]</f>You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you <f>[3†]</f>slaughter the fatlings, <i>but</i> you do not feed the flock.


text:
<f>[4†]</f>The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor <f>[5†]</f>sought what was lost; but with <f>[6†]</f>force and cruelty you have ruled them.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>So they were <f>[8†]</f>scattered because <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no shepherd; <f>[9†]</f>and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.


text:
My sheep <f>[10†]</f>wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching <i>for</i> <i>them.</i>”


text:
“<i>As</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock <f>[11†]</f>became food for every beast of the field, because <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, <f>[12†]</f>but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”—


text:
Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I <i>am</i> <f>[13†]</f>against the shepherds, and <f>[14†]</f>I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall <f>[15†]</f>feed themselves no more; for I will <f>[16†]</f>deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”


text:
As a <f>[17†]</f>shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on <f>[18†]</f>a cloudy and dark day.


text:
And <f>[19†]</f>I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. <f>[21†]</f>There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.


text:
<f>[22†]</f>“I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy <f>[23†]</f>the fat and the strong, and feed them <f>[24†]</f>in judgment.”


text:
<pb/>‘And <i>as</i> <i>for</i> you, O My flock, thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[25†]</f>“Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats.


text:
<i>Is</i> <i>it</i> too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture—and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet?


text:
And <i>as</i> <i>for</i> My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.”


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: <f>[26†]</f>“Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.


text:
Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad,


text:
therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.


text:
I will establish one <f>[27†]</f>shepherd over them, and he shall feed them— <f>[28†]</f>My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.


text:
And <f>[29†]</f>I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David <f>[30†]</f>a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.


text:
<pb/> <f>[31†]</f>“I will make a covenant of peace with them, and <f>[32†]</f>cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they <f>[33†]</f>will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.


text:
I will make them and the places all around <f>[34†]</f>My hill <f>[35†]</f>a blessing; and I will <f>[36†]</f>cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be <f>[37†]</f>showers of blessing.


text:
Then <f>[38†]</f>the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I have <f>[39†]</f>broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who <f>[40†]</f>enslaved them.


text:
And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but <f>[41†]</f>they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make <i>them</i> afraid.


text:
I will raise up for them a <f>[42†]</f>garden of renown, and they shall <f>[43†]</f>no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, <f>[44†]</f>nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore.


text:
Thus they shall know that <f>[45†]</f>I, the LORD their God, <i>am</i> with them, and they, the house of Israel, <i>are</i> <f>[46†]</f>My people,” says the Lord GOD.’


text:
<pb/>“You are My <f>[47†]</f>flock, the flock of My pasture; you <i>are</i> men, <i>and</i> I <i>am</i> your God,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
and say to it, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“Behold, O Mount Seir, I <i>am</i> against you; </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>I will stretch out My hand against you, </t><t>And make you most desolate;</t>


text:
<t>I shall lay your cities waste, </t><t>And you shall be desolate. </t><t>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[4†]</f>“Because you have had an ancient hatred, and have shed <i>the</i> <i>blood</i> <i>of</i> the children of Israel by the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, <f>[5†]</f>when their iniquity <i>came</i> <i>to</i> <i>an</i> end,


text:
therefore, <i>as</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will prepare you for <f>[6†]</f>blood, and blood shall pursue you; <f>[7†]</f>since you have not hated blood, therefore blood shall pursue you.


text:
Thus I will make Mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it the <f>[8†]</f>one who leaves and the one who returns.


text:
And I will fill its mountains with the slain; on your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines those who are slain by the sword shall fall.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>I will make you perpetually desolate, and your cities shall be uninhabited; <f>[10†]</f>then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


text:
<pb/>“Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will <f>[11†]</f>possess them,’ although <f>[12†]</f>the LORD was there,


text:
therefore, <i>as</i> I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will do <f>[13†]</f>according to your anger and according to the envy which you showed in your hatred against them; and I will make Myself known among them when I judge you.


text:
<f>[14†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD. I have <f>[15†]</f>heard all your <f>[16†]</f>blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They are desolate; they are given to us to consume.’


text:
Thus <f>[17†]</f>with your mouth you have boasted against Me and multiplied your <f>[18†]</f>words against Me; I have heard <i>them.</i>”


text:
<f>[20†]</f>As you rejoiced because the inheritance of the house of Israel was desolate, <f>[21†]</f>so I will do to you; you shall be desolate, O Mount Seir, as well as all of Edom—all of it! Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’


text:
<pb/>“And you, son of man, prophesy to the <f>[1†]</f>mountains of Israel, and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD!


text:
Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because <f>[2†]</f>the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! <f>[3†]</f>The ancient heights <f>[4†]</f>have become our possession,’ ” ’


text:
therefore prophesy, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because they made <i>you</i> desolate and swallowed you up on every side, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, <f>[5†]</f>and you are taken up by the lips of <f>[6†]</f>talkers and slandered by the people”—


text:
therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, the valleys, the desolate wastes, and the cities that have been forsaken, which <f>[7†]</f>became plunder and <f>[8†]</f>mockery to the rest of the nations all around—


text:
therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[9†]</f>“Surely I have spoken in My burning jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, <f>[10†]</f>who gave My land to themselves as a possession, with wholehearted joy <i>and</i> spiteful minds, in order to plunder its open country.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, and the valleys, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and My fury, because you have <f>[11†]</f>borne the shame of the nations.”


text:
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I have <f>[12†]</f>raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that <i>are</i> around you shall <f>[13†]</f>bear their own shame.


text:
But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come.


text:
I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and <f>[14†]</f>the ruins rebuilt.


text:
<f>[15†]</f>I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do <f>[16†]</f>better <i>for</i> <i>you</i> than at your beginnings. <f>[17†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


text:
Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, My people Israel; <f>[18†]</f>they shall take possession of you, and you shall be their inheritance; no more shall you <f>[19†]</f>bereave them <i>of</i> <i>children.</i>”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because they say to you, <f>[20†]</f>‘You devour men and bereave your nation <i>of</i> <i>children,</i>’


text:
<f>[21†]</f>“Nor will I let you hear the taunts of the nations anymore, nor bear the reproach of the peoples anymore, nor shall you cause your nation to stumble anymore,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”


text:
“Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, <f>[22†]</f>they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like <f>[23†]</f>the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity.


text:
Therefore I poured out My fury on them <f>[24†]</f>for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols <i>with</i> <i>which</i> they had defiled it.


text:
So I <f>[25†]</f>scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them <f>[26†]</f>according to their ways and their deeds.


text:
When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they <f>[27†]</f>profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These <i>are</i> the people of the LORD, <i>and</i> yet they have gone out of His land.’


text:
But I had concern <f>[28†]</f>for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.


text:
<pb/>“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do <i>this</i> for your sake, O house of Israel, <f>[29†]</f>but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.


text:
And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am <f>[30†]</f>hallowed in you before their eyes.


text:
For <f>[31†]</f>I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.


text:
<f>[32†]</f>Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you <f>[33†]</f>from all your filthiness and from all your idols.


text:
I will give you a <f>[34†]</f>new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.


text:
I will put My <f>[35†]</f>Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do <i>them.</i>


text:
<f>[36†]</f>Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; <f>[37†]</f>you shall be My people, and I will be your God.


text:
I will <f>[38†]</f>deliver you from all your uncleannesses. <f>[39†]</f>I will call for the grain and multiply it, and <f>[40†]</f>bring no famine upon you.


text:
<f>[41†]</f>And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations.


text:
Then <f>[42†]</f>you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that <i>were</i> not good; and you <f>[43†]</f>will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.


text:
<f>[44†]</f>Not for your sake do I do <i>this,</i>” says the Lord GOD, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable <i>you</i> to dwell in the cities, <f>[45†]</f>and the ruins shall be rebuilt.


text:
So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of <f>[46†]</f>Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities <i>are</i> <i>now</i> fortified <i>and</i> inhabited.’


text:
Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places <i>and</i> planted what was desolate. <f>[47†]</f>I, the LORD, have spoken <i>it,</i> and I will do <i>it.</i>”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[48†]</f>“I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will <f>[49†]</f>increase their men like a flock.


text:
Like a flock <i>offered</i> <i>as</i> holy <i>sacrifices,</i> like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>The <f>[1†]</f>hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out <f>[2†]</f>in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it <i>was</i> full of bones.


text:
Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, <i>there</i> <i>were</i> very many in the open valley; and indeed <i>they</i> <i>were</i> very dry.


text:
And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” <pb/>So I answered, “O Lord GOD, <f>[3†]</f>You know.”


text:
<pb/>Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!


text:
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will <f>[4†]</f>cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.


text:
I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. <f>[5†]</f>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.


text:
Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no breath in them.


text:
<pb/>Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[6†]</f>“Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”


text:
So I prophesied as He commanded me, <f>[7†]</f>and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.


text:
<pb/>Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the <f>[8†]</f>whole house of Israel. They indeed say, <f>[9†]</f>‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’


text:
Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, <f>[10†]</f>O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and <f>[11†]</f>bring you into the land of Israel.


text:
Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.


text:
I <f>[12†]</f>will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken <i>it</i> and performed <i>it,</i>” says the LORD.’ ”


text:
“As for you, son of man, <f>[13†]</f>take a stick for yourself and write on it: ‘For Judah and for <f>[14†]</f>the children of Israel, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and <i>for</i> all the house of Israel, his companions.’


text:
Then <f>[15†]</f>join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.


text:
<pb/>“And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, <f>[16†]</f>‘Will you not show us what you <i>mean</i> by these?’—


text:
<f>[17†]</f>say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will take <f>[18†]</f>the stick of Joseph, which <i>is</i> in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.” ’


text:
<pb/>“Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely <f>[20†]</f>I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;


text:
and <f>[21†]</f>I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and <f>[22†]</f>one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but <f>[24†]</f>I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.


text:
<pb/> <f>[25†]</f>“David My servant <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> king over them, and <f>[26†]</f>they shall all have one shepherd; <f>[27†]</f>they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.


text:
<f>[28†]</f>Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, <f>[29†]</f>forever; and <f>[30†]</f>My servant David <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> their prince forever.


text:
Moreover I will make <f>[31†]</f>a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and <f>[32†]</f>multiply them, and I will set My <f>[33†]</f>sanctuary in their midst forevermore.


text:
<f>[34†]</f>My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be <f>[35†]</f>their God, and they shall be My people.


text:
<f>[36†]</f>The nations also will know that I, the LORD, <f>[37†]</f>sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” ’ ”


text:
<f>[1†]</f>“Son of man, <f>[2†]</f>set your face against <f>[3†]</f>Gog, of the land of <f>[4†]</f>Magog, the prince of Rosh, <f>[5†]</f>Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,


text:
and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and <f>[7†]</f>lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, <f>[8†]</f>all splendidly clothed, a great company <i>with</i> bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>Gomer and all its troops; the house of <f>[10†]</f>Togarmah <i>from</i> the far north and all its troops—many people <i>are</i> with you.


text:
<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>“Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>After many days <f>[13†]</f>you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword <f>[14†]</f><i>and</i> gathered from many people on <f>[15†]</f>the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them <f>[16†]</f>dwell safely.


text:
You will ascend, coming <f>[17†]</f>like a storm, covering the <f>[18†]</f>land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “On that day it shall come to pass <i>that</i> thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan:


text:
You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of <f>[19†]</f>unwalled villages; I will <f>[20†]</f>go to a peaceful people, <f>[21†]</f>who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—


text:
to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places <i>that</i> <i>are</i> <i>again</i> inhabited, <f>[22†]</f>and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>Sheba, <f>[24†]</f>Dedan, the merchants <f>[25†]</f>of Tarshish, and all <f>[26†]</f>their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ ” ’


text:
<pb/>“Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[27†]</f>“On that day when My people Israel <f>[28†]</f>dwell safely, will you not know <i>it?</i>


text:
<f>[29†]</f>Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.


text:
You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may <f>[30†]</f>know Me, when I am <f>[31†]</f>hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.”


text:
Thus says the Lord GOD: “Are <i>you</i> he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?


