Chapter 14
1 This is Yahweh ’s word that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought :
2 " Judah mourns, and its gates languish. They sit in black on the ground. The cry of Jerusalem goes up .
3 Their nobles send their little ones to the waters . They come to the cisterns , and find no water . They return with their vessels empty . They are disappointed and confounded , and cover their heads .
4 Because of the ground which is cracked , because no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed. They cover their heads .
5 Yes , the doe in the field also calves and forsakes her young , because there is no grass .
6 The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights . They pant for air like jackals . Their eyes fail , because there is no vegetation .
7 Though our iniquities testify against us , work for your name ’s sake , Yahweh ; for our rebellions are many . We have sinned against you .
8 You hope of Israel , its Savior in the time of trouble , why should you be as a foreigner in the land, and as a wayfaring man who turns aside to stay for a night ?
9 Why should you be like a scared man , as a mighty man who can ’t save ? Yet you , Yahweh , are in the middle of us , and we are called by your name . Don’t leave us .
10 Yahweh says to this people : " Even so they have loved to wander . They have not restrained their feet . Therefore Yahweh does not accept them . Now he will remember their iniquity , and punish them for their sins ."
11 Yahweh said to me , "Don’t pray for this people for their good .
12 When they fast , I will not hear their cry ; and when they offer burnt offering and meal offering , I will not accept them ; but I will consume them by the sword , by famine , and by pestilence ."
13 Then I said, "Ah, Lord Yahweh ! Behold , the prophets tell them , ‘ You will not see the sword , neither will you have famine ; but I will give you assured peace in this place .’"
14 Then Yahweh said to me , " The prophets prophesy lies in my name . I didn’t send them . I didn’t command them . I didn’t speak to them . They prophesy to you a lying vision , divination , and a thing of nothing , and the deceit of their own heart .
15 Therefore Yahweh says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name , but I didn’t send them , yet they say, ‘ Sword and famine will not be in this land.’ Those prophets will be consumed by sword and famine .
16 The people to whom they prophesy will be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword . They will have no one to bury them — them , their wives, their sons , or their daughters , for I will pour their wickedness on them .
17 " You shall say this word to them : "‘ Let my eyes run down with tears night and day , and let them not cease ; for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach , with a very grievous wound .
18 If I go out into the field , then behold , the slain with the sword ! If I enter into the city , then behold , those who are sick with famine ! For both the prophet and the priest go about in the land , and have no knowledge .’"
19 Have you utterly rejected Judah ? Has your soul loathed Zion ? Why have you struck us , and there is no healing for us ? We looked for peace , but no good came ; and for a time of healing , and behold , dismay!
20 We acknowledge , Yahweh , our wickedness , and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against you .
21 Do not abhor us , for your name ’s sake . Do not disgrace the throne of your glory . Remember , and don’t break your covenant with us .
22 Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain ? Or can the sky give showers ? Aren’t you he , Yahweh our God ? Therefore we will wait for you ; for you have made all these things .