Jer.6.1

"Run for your lives, children of Benjamin! Get out of Jerusalem, and now! Give a blast on the ram's horn in Blastville. Send up smoke signals from Smoketown. Doom pours out of the north--massive terror!

Jer.6.1

"Flee for safety, people of Benjamin! Flee from Jerusalem! Sound the trumpet in Tekoa! Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem! For disaster looms out of the north, even terrible destruction.

Jer.6.1

"O you children of Benjamin, Gather yourselves to flee from the midst of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, And set up a signal-fire in Beth Haccerem; For disaster appears out of the north, And great destruction.

Jer.6.1

"Run for your lives, you people of Benjamin! Flee from Jerusalem! Sound the alarm in Tekoa! Send up a signal at Beth-hakkerem! Warn everyone that a powerful army is coming from the north to destroy this nation.

Jer.6.2

I have likened my dear daughter Zion to a lovely meadow.

Jer.6.2

I will destroy the Daughter of Zion, so beautiful and delicate.

Jer.6.2

I have likened the daughter of Zion To a lovely and delicate woman.

Jer.6.2

O Jerusalem, you are my beautiful and delicate daughter--but I will destroy you!

Jer.6.3

Well, now "shepherds' from the north have discovered her and brought in their flocks of soldiers. They've pitched camp all around her, and plan where they'll "graze.'

Jer.6.3

Shepherds with their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents around her, each tending his own portion."

Jer.6.3

The shepherds with their flocks shall come to her. They shall pitch their tents against her all around. Each one shall pasture in his own place."

Jer.6.3

Enemy shepherds will surround you. They will set up camp around the city and divide your pastures for their flocks.

Jer.6.4

And then, "Prepare to attack! The fight is on! To arms! We'll strike at noon! Oh, it's too late? Day is dying? Evening shadows are upon us?

Jer.6.4

"Prepare for battle against her! Arise, let us attack at noon! But, alas, the daylight is fading, and the shadows of evening grow long.

Jer.6.4

"Prepare war against her; Arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us, for the day goes away, For the shadows of the evening are lengthening.

Jer.6.4

They shout, `Prepare for battle and attack at noon! But now the day is fading, and the evening shadows are falling.

Jer.6.5

Well, up anyway! We'll attack by night and tear apart her defenses stone by stone.'"

Jer.6.5

So arise, let us attack at night and destroy her fortresses!"

Jer.6.5

Arise, and let us go by night, And let us destroy her palaces."

Jer.6.5

So let us attack by night and destroy her palaces!'"

Jer.6.6

GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies gave the orders: "Chop down her trees. Build a siege ramp against Jerusalem, A city full of brutality, bursting with violence.

Jer.6.6

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Cut down the trees and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; it is filled with oppression.

Jer.6.6

For thus has the LORD of hosts said: "Cut down trees, And build a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished. She is full of oppression in her midst.

Jer.6.6

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Cut down the trees for battering rams. Build ramps against the walls of Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, for she is wicked through and through.

Jer.6.7

Just as a well holds a good supply of water, she supplies wickedness nonstop. The streets echo the cries: "Violence! Rape!' Victims, bleeding and moaning, lie all over the place.

Jer.6.7

As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her; her sickness and wounds are ever before me.

Jer.6.7

As a fountain wells up with water, So she wells up with her wickedness. Violence and plundering are heard in her. Before Me continually are grief and wounds.

Jer.6.7

She spouts evil like a fountain! Her streets echo with the sounds of violence and destruction. Her sickness and sores are ever before me.

Jer.6.8

You're in deep trouble, Jerusalem. You've pushed me to the limit. You're on the brink of being wiped out, being turned into a ghost town."

Jer.6.8

Take warning, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it."

Jer.6.8

Be instructed, O Jerusalem, Lest My soul depart from you; Lest I make you desolate, A land not inhabited."

Jer.6.8

This is your last warning, Jerusalem! If you do not listen, I will empty the land."

Jer.6.9

More orders from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies: "Time's up! Harvest the grapes for judgment. Salvage what's left of Israel. Go back over the vines. Pick them clean, every last grape.

Jer.6.9

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine; pass your hand over the branches again, like one gathering grapes."

Jer.6.9

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "They shall thoroughly glean as a vine the remnant of Israel; As a grape-gatherer, put your hand back into the branches."

Jer.6.9

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Disaster will fall upon you. Even the few who remain in Israel will be gleaned again, as when a harvester checks each vine a second time to pick the grapes that were missed."

Jer.6.10

"I've got something to say. Is anybody listening? I've a warning to post. Will anyone notice? It's hopeless! Their ears are stuffed with wax--deaf as a post, blind as a bat. It's hopeless! They've tuned out GOD. They don't want to hear from me.

Jer.6.10

To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

Jer.6.10

To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, And they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the LORD is a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.

Jer.6.10

To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak? Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. They scorn the word of the LORD. They don't want to listen at all.

Jer.6.11

But I'm bursting with the wrath of GOD. I can't hold it in much longer. "So dump it on the children in the streets. Let it loose on the gangs of youth. For no one's exempt: Husbands and wives will be taken, the old and those ready to die;

Jer.6.11

But I am full of the wrath of the LORD, and I cannot hold it in. "Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years.

Jer.6.11

Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD. I am weary of holding it in. "I will pour it out on the children outside, And on the assembly of young men together; For even the husband shall be taken with the wife, The aged with him who is full of days.

Jer.6.11

So now I am filled with the LORD's fury. Yes, I am weary of holding it in! "I will pour out my fury over Jerusalem, even on children playing in the streets, on gatherings of young men, and on husbands and wives and grandparents.

Jer.6.12

Their homes will be given away--all they own, even their loved ones--When I give the signal against all who live in this country." GOD's Decree.

Jer.6.12

Their houses will be turned over to others, together with their fields and their wives, when I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land," declares the LORD.

Jer.6.12

And their houses shall be turned over to others, Fields and wives together; For I will stretch out My hand Against the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD.

Jer.6.12

Their homes will be turned over to their enemies, and so will their fields and their wives. For I will punish the people of this land," says the LORD.

Jer.6.13

"Everyone's after the dishonest dollar, little people and big people alike. Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth.

Jer.6.13

"From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.

Jer.6.13

"Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.

Jer.6.13

"From the least to the greatest, they trick others to get what does not belong to them. Yes, even my prophets and priests are like that!

Jer.6.14

My people are broken--shattered!- and they put on band-aids, Saying, "It's not so bad. You'll be just fine.' But things are not "just fine'!

Jer.6.14

They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.

Jer.6.14

They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, "Peace, peace!' When there is no peace.

Jer.6.14

They offer superficial treatments for my people's mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when all is war.

Jer.6.15

Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage? No, they have no shame. They don't even know how to blush. There's no hope for them. They've hit bottom and there's no getting up. As far as I'm concerned, they're finished." GOD has spoken.

Jer.6.15

Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them," says the LORD.

Jer.6.15

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD.

Jer.6.15

Are they ashamed when they do these disgusting things? No, not at all--they don't even blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be humbled beneath my punishing anger," says the LORD.

Jer.6.16

GOD's Message yet again: "Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried and true road. Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. But they said, "Nothing doing. We aren't going that way.'

Jer.6.16

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Jer.6.16

Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, "We will not walk in it.'

Jer.6.16

So now the LORD says, "Stop right where you are! Look for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, `No, that's not the road we want!'

Jer.6.17

I even provided watchmen for them to warn them, to set off the alarm. But the people said, "It's a false alarm. It doesn't concern us.'

Jer.6.17

I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But you said, 'We will not listen.'

Jer.6.17

Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, "Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, "We will not listen.'

Jer.6.17

I set watchmen over you who said, `Listen for the sound of the trumpet!' But you replied, `No! We won't pay attention!'

Jer.6.18

And so I'm calling in the nations as witnesses: "Watch, witnesses, what happens to them!'

Jer.6.18

Therefore hear, O nations; observe, O witnesses, what will happen to them.

Jer.6.18

Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them.

Jer.6.18

"Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of my people's condition.

Jer.6.19

And, "Pay attention, earth! Don't miss these bulletins.' I'm visiting catastrophe on this people, the end result of the games they've been playing with me. They've ignored everything I've said, had nothing but contempt for my teaching.

Jer.6.19

Hear, O earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law.

Jer.6.19

Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people-- The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it.

Jer.6.19

Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster upon my people. It is the fruit of their own sin because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected all my instructions.

Jer.6.20

What would I want with incense brought in from Sheba, rare spices from exotic places? Your burnt sacrifices in worship give me no pleasure. Your religious rituals mean nothing to me."

Jer.6.20

What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me."

Jer.6.20

For what purpose to Me Comes frankincense from Sheba, And sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me."

Jer.6.20

There is no use now in offering me sweet incense from Sheba. Keep your expensive perfumes! I cannot accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices have no sweet fragrance for me."

Jer.6.21

So listen to this. Here's GOD's verdict on your way of life: "Watch out! I'm putting roadblocks and barriers on the road you're taking. They'll send you sprawling, parents and children, neighbors and friends--and that will be the end of the lot of you."

Jer.6.21

Therefore this is what the LORD says: "I will put obstacles before this people. Fathers and sons alike will stumble over them; neighbors and friends will perish."

Jer.6.21

Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, And the fathers and the sons together shall fall on them. The neighbor and his friend shall perish."

Jer.6.21

Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "I will put obstacles in my people's path. Fathers and sons will both fall over them. Neighbors and friends will collapse together."

Jer.6.22

And listen to this verdict from GOD: "Look out! An invasion from the north, a mighty power on the move from a faraway place:

Jer.6.22

This is what the LORD says: "Look, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth.

Jer.6.22

Thus says the LORD: "Behold, a people comes from the north country, And a great nation will be raised from the farthest parts of the earth.

Jer.6.22

This is what the LORD says: "See a great army marching from the north! A great nation is rising against you from far-off lands.

Jer.6.23

Armed to the teeth, vicious and pitiless, Booming like sea storm and thunder--tramp, tramp, tramp--riding hard on war horses, In battle formation against you, dear Daughter Zion!"

Jer.6.23

They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, O Daughter of Zion."

Jer.6.23

They will lay hold on bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, As men of war set in array against you, O daughter of Zion."

Jer.6.23

They are fully armed for slaughter. They are cruel and show no mercy. As they ride forward, the noise of their army is like a roaring sea. They are marching in battle formation to destroy you, Jerusalem. "

Jer.6.24

We've heard the news, and we're as limp as wet dishrags. We're paralyzed with fear. Terror has a death grip on our throats.

Jer.6.24

We have heard reports about them, and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.

Jer.6.24

We have heard the report of it; Our hands grow feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, Pain as of a woman in labor.

Jer.6.24

We have heard reports about the enemy, and we are weak with fright. Fear and pain have gripped us, like that of a woman about to give birth.

Jer.6.25

Don't dare go outdoors! Don't leave the house! Death is on the prowl. Danger everywhere!

Jer.6.25

Do not go out to the fields or walk on the roads, for the enemy has a sword, and there is terror on every side.

Jer.6.25

Do not go out into the field, Nor walk by the way. Because of the sword of the enemy, Fear is on every side.

Jer.6.25

Don't go out to the fields! Don't travel the roads! The enemy is everywhere, and they are ready to kill. We are terrorized at every turn!

Jer.6.26

"Dear Daughter Zion: Dress in black. Blacken your face with ashes. Weep most bitterly, as for an only child. The countdown has begun... six, five, four, three... The Terror is on us!" [JC]

Jer.6.26

O my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

Jer.6.26

O daughter of my people, Dress in sackcloth And roll about in ashes! Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; For the plunderer will suddenly come upon us.

Jer.6.26

Now my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth, and sit among the ashes. Mourn and weep bitterly, as for the loss of an only son. For suddenly, the destroying armies will be upon you!

Jer.6.27

GOD gave me this task: "I have made you the examiner of my people, to examine and weigh their lives.

Jer.6.27

"I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways.

Jer.6.27

"I have set you as an assayer and a fortress among My people, That you may know and test their way.

Jer.6.27

"Jeremiah, I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people.

Jer.6.28

They're a thickheaded, hard-nosed bunch, rotten to the core, the lot of them.

Jer.6.28

They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly.

Jer.6.28

They are all stubborn rebels, walking as slanderers. They are bronze and iron, They are all corrupters;

Jer.6.28

Are they not the worst of rebels, full of slander? They are as insolent as bronze, as hard and cruel as iron. All of them lead others into corruption.

Jer.6.29

Refining fires are cranked up to white heat, but the ore stays a lump, unchanged. It's useless to keep trying any longer. Nothing can refine evil out of them.

Jer.6.29

The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out.

Jer.6.29

The bellows blow fiercely, The lead is consumed by the fire; The smelter refines in vain, For the wicked are not drawn off.

Jer.6.29

The bellows blow fiercely. The refining fire grows hotter. But it will never purify and cleanse them because there is no purity in them to refine.

Jer.6.30

Men will give up and call them "slag,' thrown on the slag heap by me, their GOD."

Jer.6.30

They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them."

Jer.6.30

People will call them rejected silver, Because the LORD has rejected them."

Jer.6.30

I will label them `Rejected Silver' because I, the LORD, am discarding them."

Jer.7.1

The Message from GOD to Jeremiah:

Jer.7.1

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

Jer.7.1

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

Jer.7.1

The LORD gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,

Jer.7.2

"Stand in the gate of GOD's Temple and preach this Message. "Say, "Listen, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship GOD.

Jer.7.2

"Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and there proclaim this message: "'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD.

Jer.7.2

"Stand in the gate of the LORD's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, "Hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the LORD!"'

Jer.7.2

"Go to the entrance of the LORD's Temple, and give this message to the people: `O Judah, listen to this message from the LORD! Listen to it, all of you who worship here!

Jer.7.3

GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God, has this to say to you: Clean up your act--the way you live, the things you do--so I can make my home with you in this place.

Jer.7.3

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.

Jer.7.3

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

Jer.7.3

The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land.

Jer.7.4

Don't for a minute believe the lies being spoken here--"This is GOD's Temple, GOD's Temple, GOD's Temple!"

Jer.7.4

Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!"

Jer.7.4

Do not trust in these lying words, saying, "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these.'

Jer.7.4

But do not be fooled by those who repeatedly promise your safety because the Temple of the LORD is here.

Jer.7.5

Total nonsense! Only if you clean up your act (the way you live, the things you do), only if you do a total spring cleaning on the way you live and treat your neighbors,

Jer.7.5

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,

Jer.7.5

"For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor,

Jer.7.5

I will be merciful only if you stop your wicked thoughts and deeds and are fair to others;

Jer.7.6

only if you quit exploiting the street people and orphans and widows, no longer taking advantage of innocent people on this very site and no longer destroying your souls by using this Temple as a front for other gods--

Jer.7.6

if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm,

Jer.7.6

if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt,

Jer.7.6

and if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; and if you stop your murdering; and if you stop worshiping idols as you now do to your own harm.

Jer.7.7

only then will I move into your neighborhood. Only then will this country I gave your ancestors be my permanent home, my Temple.

Jer.7.7

then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever.

Jer.7.7

then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.

Jer.7.7

Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave to your ancestors to keep forever.

Jer.7.8

Get smart! Your leaders are handing you a pack of lies, and you're swallowing them!

Jer.7.8

But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.

Jer.7.8

"Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit.

Jer.7.8

" `Do you think that because the Temple is here you will never suffer? Don't fool yourselves!

Jer.7.9

Use your heads! Do you think you can rob and murder, have sex with the neighborhood wives, tell lies nonstop, worship the local gods, and buy every novel religious commodity on the market

Jer.7.9

"'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known,

Jer.7.9

Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know,

Jer.7.9

Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and worship Baal and all those other new gods of yours,

Jer.7.10

-and then march into this Temple, set apart for my worship, and say, "We're safe!" thinking that the place itself gives you a license to go on with all this outrageous sacrilege?

Jer.7.10

and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"-safe to do all these detestable things?

Jer.7.10

and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, "We are delivered to do all these abominations'?

Jer.7.10

and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, "We are safe!"--only to go right back to all those evils again?

Jer.7.11

A cave full of criminals! Do you think you can turn this Temple, set apart for my worship, into something like that? Well, think again. I've got eyes in my head. I can see what's going on.'" GOD's Decree!

Jer.7.11

Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.

Jer.7.11

Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it," says the LORD.

Jer.7.11

Do you think this Temple, which honors my name, is a den of thieves? I see all the evil going on there, says the LORD.

Jer.7.12

Take a trip down to the place that was once in Shiloh, where I met my people in the early days. Take a look at those ruins, what I did to it because of the evil ways of my people Israel.

Jer.7.12

"'Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel.

Jer.7.12

"But go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I set My name at the first, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel.

Jer.7.12

" `Go to the place at Shiloh where I once put the Tabernacle to honor my name. See what I did there because of all the wickedness of my people, the Israelites.

Jer.7.13

So now, because of the way you have lived and failed to listen, even though time and again I took you aside and talked seriously with you, and because you refused to change when I called you to repent,

Jer.7.13

While you were doing all these things, declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer.

Jer.7.13

And now, because you have done all these works," says the LORD, "and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer,

Jer.7.13

While you were doing these wicked things, says the LORD, I spoke to you about it repeatedly, but you would not listen. I called out to you, but you refused to answer.

Jer.7.14

I'm going to do to this Temple, set aside for my worship, this place you think is going to keep you safe no matter what, this place I gave as a gift to your ancestors and you, the same as I did to Shiloh.

Jer.7.14

Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your fathers.

Jer.7.14

therefore I will do to the house which is called by My name, in which you trust, and to this place which I gave to you and your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.

Jer.7.14

So just as I destroyed Shiloh, I will now destroy this Temple that was built to honor my name, this Temple that you trust for help, this place that I gave to you and your ancestors.

Jer.7.15

And as for you, I'm going to get rid of you, the same as I got rid of those old relatives of yours around Shiloh, your fellow Israelites in that former kingdom to the north.'

Jer.7.15

I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your brothers, the people of Ephraim.'

Jer.7.15

And I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren--the whole posterity of Ephraim.

Jer.7.15

And I will send you into exile, just as I did your relatives, the people of Israel. '

Jer.7.16

"And you, Jeremiah, don't waste your time praying for this people. Don't offer to make petitions or intercessions. Don't bother me with them. I'm not listening.

Jer.7.16

"So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

Jer.7.16

"Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.

Jer.7.16

"Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don't beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you.

Jer.7.17

Can't you see what they're doing in all the villages of Judah and in the Jerusalem streets?

Jer.7.17

Do you not see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

Jer.7.17

Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

Jer.7.17

Do you not see what they are doing throughout the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

Jer.7.18

Why, they've got the children gathering wood while the fathers build fires and the mothers make bread to be offered to "the Queen of Heaven'! And as if that weren't bad enough, they go around pouring out libations to any other gods they come across, just to hurt me.

Jer.7.18

The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes of bread for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke me to anger.

Jer.7.18

The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.

Jer.7.18

No wonder I am so angry! Watch how the children gather wood and the fathers build sacrificial fires. See how the women knead dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. And they give drink offerings to their other idol gods!

Jer.7.19

"But is it me they're hurting?" GOD's Decree! "Aren't they just hurting themselves? Exposing themselves shamefully? Making themselves ridiculous?

Jer.7.19

But am I the one they are provoking? declares the LORD. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?

Jer.7.19

Do they provoke Me to anger?" says the LORD. "Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?"

Jer.7.19

Am I the one they are hurting?" asks the LORD. "Most of all, they hurt themselves, to their own shame."

Jer.7.20

"Here's what the Master GOD has to say: "My white-hot anger is about to descend on this country and everything in it--people and animals, trees in the field and vegetables in the garden--a raging wildfire that no one can put out.'

Jer.7.20

"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: My anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground, and it will burn and not be quenched.

Jer.7.20

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place--on man and on beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be quenched."

Jer.7.20

So the Sovereign LORD says: "I will pour out my terrible fury on this place. Its people, animals, trees, and crops will be consumed by the unquenchable fire of my anger."

Jer.7.21

"The Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God: "Go ahead! Put your burnt offerings with all your other sacrificial offerings and make a good meal for yourselves. I sure don't want them!

Jer.7.21

"'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves!

Jer.7.21

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat.

Jer.7.21

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Away with your burnt offerings and sacrifices! Eat them yourselves!

Jer.7.22

When I delivered your ancestors out of Egypt, I never said anything to them about wanting burnt offerings and sacrifices as such.

Jer.7.22

For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices,

Jer.7.22

For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.

Jer.7.22

When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them.

Jer.7.23

But I did say this, commanded this: "Obey me. Do what I say and I will be your God and you will be my people. Live the way I tell you. Do what I command so that your lives will go well."

Jer.7.23

but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.

Jer.7.23

But this is what I commanded them, saying, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.'

Jer.7.23

This is what I told them: `Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Only do as I say, and all will be well!'

Jer.7.24

But do you think they listened? Not a word of it. They did just what they wanted to do, indulged any and every evil whim and got worse day by day.

Jer.7.24

But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

Jer.7.24

Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

Jer.7.24

"But my people would not listen to me. They kept on doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.

Jer.7.25

From the time your ancestors left the land of Egypt until now, I've supplied a steady stream of my servants the prophets,

Jer.7.25

From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets.

Jer.7.25

Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them.

Jer.7.25

From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my prophets--day in and day out.

Jer.7.26

but do you think the people listened? Not once. Stubborn as mules and worse than their ancestors!'

Jer.7.26

But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers.'

Jer.7.26

Yet they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.

Jer.7.26

But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear. They have been stubborn and sinful--even worse than their ancestors.

Jer.7.27

"Tell them all this, but don't expect them to listen. Call out to them, but don't expect an answer.

Jer.7.27

"When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer.

Jer.7.27

"Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you.

Jer.7.27

"Tell them all this, but do not expect them to listen. Shout out your warnings, but do not expect them to respond.

Jer.7.28

Tell them, "You are the nation that wouldn't obey GOD, that refused all discipline. Truth has disappeared. There's not a trace of it left in your mouths.

Jer.7.28

Therefore say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.

Jer.7.28

"So you shall say to them, "This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.

Jer.7.28

Say to them, `This is the nation whose people will not obey the LORD their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.

Jer.7.29

So shave your heads. Go bald to the hills and lament, For GOD has rejected and left this generation that has made him so angry.'

Jer.7.29

Cut off your hair and throw it away; take up a lament on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under his wrath.

Jer.7.29

Cut off your hair and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on the desolate heights; for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.'

Jer.7.29

O Jerusalem, shave your head in mourning, and weep alone on the mountains. For the LORD has rejected and forsaken this generation that has provoked his fury.'