Jer.4.1 blas

If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.

Jer.4.1 blas

"If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore.

Jer.4.1 blas

"If you will return, O Israel, return to me," declares the LORD. "If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray,

Jer.4.1 blas

"O Israel, come back to me," says the LORD. "If you will throw away your detestable idols and go astray no more,

Jer.4.2 blas

And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Jer.4.2 blas

Then you can say words like, "As GOD lives... 'and have them mean something true and just and right. And the godless nations will get caught up in the blessing and find something in Israel to write home about." [JC]

Jer.4.2 blas

and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, 'As surely as the LORD lives,' then the nations will be blessed by him and in him they will glory."

Jer.4.2 blas

and if you will swear by my name alone, and begin to live good, honest lives and uphold justice, then you will be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people will come and praise my name."

Jer.4.3 blas

For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Jer.4.3 blas

Here's another Message from GOD to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: "Plow your unplowed fields, but then don't plant weeds in the soil!

Jer.4.3 blas

This is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: "Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.

Jer.4.3 blas

This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: "Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.

Jer.4.4 blas

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

Jer.4.4 blas

Yes, circumcise your lives for God's sake. Plow your unplowed hearts, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem. Prevent fire--the fire of my anger--for once it starts it can't be put out. Your wicked ways are fuel for the fire.

Jer.4.4 blas

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done- burn with no one to quench it.

Jer.4.4 blas

Cleanse your minds and hearts before the LORD, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins.

Jer.4.5 blas

Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.

Jer.4.5 blas

"Sound the alarm in Judah, broadcast the news in Jerusalem. Say, "Blow the ram's horn trumpet through the land!' Shout out--a bullhorn bellow!- "Close ranks! Run for your lives to the shelters!'

Jer.4.5 blas

"Announce in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem and say: 'Sound the trumpet throughout the land!' Cry aloud and say: 'Gather together! Let us flee to the fortified cities!'

Jer.4.5 blas

"Shout to Jerusalem and to all Judah! Tell them to sound the alarm throughout the land: `Run for your lives! Flee to the fortified cities!'

Jer.4.6 blas

Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

Jer.4.6 blas

Send up a flare warning Zion: "Not a minute to lose! Don't sit on your hands!' Disaster's descending from the north. I set it off! When it lands, it will shake the foundations.

Jer.4.6 blas

Raise the signal to go to Zion! Flee for safety without delay! For I am bringing disaster from the north, even terrible destruction."

Jer.4.6 blas

Send a signal toward Jerusalem: `Flee now! Do not delay!' For I am bringing terrible destruction upon you from the north."

Jer.4.7 blas

The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

Jer.4.7 blas

Invaders have pounced like a lion from its cover, ready to rip nations to shreds, Leaving your land in wrack and ruin, your cities in rubble, abandoned.

Jer.4.7 blas

A lion has come out of his lair; a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his place to lay waste your land. Your towns will lie in ruins without inhabitant.

Jer.4.7 blas

A lion stalks from its den, a destroyer of nations. And it is headed for your land! Your towns will lie in ruins, empty of people.

Jer.4.8 blas

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

Jer.4.8 blas

Dress in funereal black. Weep and wail, For GOD's sledgehammer anger has slammed into us head-on.

Jer.4.8 blas

So put on sackcloth, lament and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.

Jer.4.8 blas

So put on clothes of mourning and weep with broken hearts, for the fierce anger of the LORD is still upon us.

Jer.4.9 blas

And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.

Jer.4.9 blas

"When this happens" -GOD's Decree--"King and princes will lose heart; priests will be baffled and prophets stand dumbfounded."

Jer.4.9 blas

"In that day," declares the LORD, "the king and the officials will lose heart, the priests will be horrified, and the prophets will be appalled."

Jer.4.9 blas

"In that day," says the LORD, "the king and the officials will tremble in fear. The priests and the prophets will be struck with horror."

Jer.4.10 blas

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

Jer.4.10 blas

Then I said, "Alas, Master GOD! You've fed lies to this people, this Jerusalem. You assured them, "All is well, don't worry,' at the very moment when the sword was at their throats." [JC]

Jer.4.10 blas

Then I said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, how completely you have deceived this people and Jerusalem by saying, 'You will have peace,' when the sword is at our throats."

Jer.4.10 blas

Then I said, "O Sovereign LORD, the people have been deceived by what you said, for you promised peace for Jerusalem. Yet the sword is even now poised to strike them dead!"

Jer.4.11 blas

At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

Jer.4.11 blas

At that time, this people, yes, this very Jerusalem, will be told in plain words: "The northern hordes are sweeping in from the desert steppes--A wind that's up to no good,

Jer.4.11 blas

At that time this people and Jerusalem will be told, "A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward my people, but not to winnow or cleanse;

Jer.4.11 blas

The time is coming when the LORD will say to the people of Jerusalem, "A burning wind is blowing in from the desert. It is not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain.

Jer.4.12 blas

Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.

Jer.4.12 blas

a gale-force wind. I ordered this wind. I'm pronouncing my hurricane judgment on my people."

Jer.4.12 blas

a wind too strong for that comes from me. Now I pronounce my judgments against them."

Jer.4.12 blas

It is a roaring blast sent by me! Now I will pronounce your destruction!"

Jer.4.13 blas

Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

Jer.4.13 blas

Look at them! Like banks of storm clouds, racing, tumbling, their chariots a tornado, Their horses faster than eagles! Woe to us! We're done for!

Jer.4.13 blas

Look! He advances like the clouds, his chariots come like a whirlwind, his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us! We are ruined!

Jer.4.13 blas

Our enemy rushes down on us like a storm wind! His chariots are like whirlwinds; his horses are swifter than eagles. How terrible it will be! Our destruction is sure!

Jer.4.14 blas

O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

Jer.4.14 blas

Jerusalem! Scrub the evil from your lives so you'll be fit for salvation. How much longer will you harbor devious and malignant designs within you?

Jer.4.14 blas

O Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?

Jer.4.14 blas

O Jerusalem, cleanse your hearts that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts?

Jer.4.15 blas

For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.

Jer.4.15 blas

What's this? A messenger from Dan? Bad news from Ephraim's hills!

Jer.4.15 blas

A voice is announcing from Dan, proclaiming disaster from the hills of Ephraim.

Jer.4.15 blas

From Dan and the hill country of Ephraim, your destruction has been announced.

Jer.4.16 blas

Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

Jer.4.16 blas

Make the report public. Broadcast the news to Jerusalem: "Invaders from far off are raising war cries against Judah's towns.

Jer.4.16 blas

"Tell this to the nations, proclaim it to Jerusalem: 'A besieging army is coming from a distant land, raising a war cry against the cities of Judah.

Jer.4.16 blas

"Warn the surrounding nations and announce to Jerusalem: `The enemy is coming from a distant land, raising a battle cry against the towns of Judah.

Jer.4.17 blas

As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.

Jer.4.17 blas

They're all over her, like a dog on a bone. And why? Because she rebelled against me." GOD's Decree.

Jer.4.17 blas

They surround her like men guarding a field, because she has rebelled against me,'" declares the LORD.

Jer.4.17 blas

They surround Jerusalem like watchmen surrounding a field, for my people have rebelled against me,'" says the LORD.

Jer.4.18 blas

Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.

Jer.4.18 blas

"It's the way you've lived that's brought all this on you. The bitter taste is from your evil life. That's what's piercing your heart." [JC]

Jer.4.18 blas

"Your own conduct and actions have brought this upon you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!"

Jer.4.18 blas

"Your own actions have brought this upon you. This punishment is a bitter dose of your own medicine. It has pierced you to the heart!"

Jer.4.19 blas

My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

Jer.4.19 blas

I'm doubled up with cramps in my belly--a poker burns in my gut. My insides are tearing me up, never a moment's peace. The ram's horn trumpet blast rings in my ears, the signal for all-out war.

Jer.4.19 blas

Oh, my anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain. Oh, the agony of my heart! My heart pounds within me, I cannot keep silent. For I have heard the sound of the trumpet; I have heard the battle cry.

Jer.4.19 blas

My heart, my heart--I writhe in pain! My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still. For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets and the roar of their battle cries.

Jer.4.20 blas

Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.

Jer.4.20 blas

Disaster hard on the heels of disaster, the whole country in ruins! In one stroke my home is destroyed, the walls flattened in the blink of an eye.

Jer.4.20 blas

Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.

Jer.4.20 blas

Waves of destruction roll over the land, until it lies in complete desolation. Suddenly, every tent is destroyed; in a moment, every shelter is crushed.

Jer.4.21 blas

How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?

Jer.4.21 blas

How long do I have to look at the warning flares, listen to the siren of danger?

Jer.4.21 blas

How long must I see the battle standard and hear the sound of the trumpet?

Jer.4.21 blas

How long must this go on? How long must I be surrounded by war and death?

Jer.4.22 blas

For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Jer.4.22 blas

"What fools my people are! They have no idea who I am. A company of half-wits, dopes and donkeys all! Experts at evil but klutzes at good."

Jer.4.22 blas

"My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good."

Jer.4.22 blas

"My people are foolish and do not know me," says the LORD. "They are senseless children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no talent at all for doing right!"

Jer.4.23 blas

I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

Jer.4.23 blas

I looked at the earth--it was back to pre-Genesis chaos and emptiness. I looked at the skies, and not a star to be seen.

Jer.4.23 blas

I looked at the earth, and it was formless and empty; and at the heavens, and their light was gone.

Jer.4.23 blas

I looked at the earth, and it was empty and formless. I looked at the heavens, and there was no light.

Jer.4.24 blas

I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Jer.4.24 blas

I looked at the mountains--they were trembling like aspen leaves, And all the hills rocking back and forth in the wind.

Jer.4.24 blas

I looked at the mountains, and they were quaking; all the hills were swaying.

Jer.4.24 blas

I looked at the mountains and hills, and they trembled and shook.

Jer.4.25 blas

I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.

Jer.4.25 blas

I looked--what's this! Not a man or woman in sight, and not a bird to be seen in the skies.

Jer.4.25 blas

I looked, and there were no people; every bird in the sky had flown away.

Jer.4.25 blas

I looked, and all the people were gone. All the birds of the sky had flown away.

Jer.4.26 blas

I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

Jer.4.26 blas

I looked--this can't be! Every garden and orchard shriveled up. All the towns were ghost towns. And all this because of GOD, because of the blazing anger of GOD.

Jer.4.26 blas

I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert; all its towns lay in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

Jer.4.26 blas

I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness. The cities lay in ruins, crushed by the LORD's fierce anger.

Jer.4.27 blas

For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.

Jer.4.27 blas

Yes, this is GOD's Word on the matter: "The whole country will be laid waste--still it won't be the end of the world.

Jer.4.27 blas

This is what the LORD says: "The whole land will be ruined, though I will not destroy it completely.

Jer.4.27 blas

This is what the LORD says: "The whole land will be ruined, but I will not destroy it completely.

Jer.4.28 blas

For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.

Jer.4.28 blas

The earth will mourn and the skies lament Because I've given my word and won't take it back. I've decided and won't change my mind."

Jer.4.28 blas

Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above grow dark, because I have spoken and will not relent, I have decided and will not turn back."

Jer.4.28 blas

The earth will mourn, the heavens will be draped in black, because of my decree against my people. I have made up my mind and will not change it."

Jer.4.29 blas

The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.

Jer.4.29 blas

Someone shouts, "Horsemen and archers!" and everybody runs for cover. They hide in ditches, they climb into caves. The cities are emptied, not a person left anywhere.

Jer.4.29 blas

At the sound of horsemen and archers every town takes to flight. Some go into the thickets; some climb up among the rocks. All the towns are deserted; no one lives in them.

Jer.4.29 blas

At the noise of marching armies, the people flee in terror from the cities. They hide in the bushes and run for the mountains. All the cities have been abandoned--not a person remains!

Jer.4.30 blas

And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.

Jer.4.30 blas

And you, what do you think you're up to? Dressing up in party clothes, Decking yourselves out in jewelry, putting on lipstick and rouge and mascara! Your primping goes for nothing. You're not going to seduce anyone. They're out to kill you!

Jer.4.30 blas

What are you doing, O devastated one? Why dress yourself in scarlet and put on jewels of gold? Why shade your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life.

Jer.4.30 blas

What are you doing, you who have been plundered? Why do you dress up in your most beautiful clothing and jewelry? Why do you brighten your eyes with mascara? It will do you no good! Your allies despise you and will kill you.

Jer.4.31 blas

For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.

Jer.4.31 blas

And what's that I hear? The cry of a woman in labor, the screams of a mother giving birth to her firstborn. It's the cry of Daughter Zion, gasping for breath, reaching out for help: "Help, oh help me! I'm dying! The killers are on me!"

Jer.4.31 blas

I hear a cry as of a woman in labor, a groan as of one bearing her first child- the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands and saying, "Alas! I am fainting; my life is given over to murderers."

Jer.4.31 blas

I hear a great cry, like that of a woman giving birth to her first child. It is the cry of Jerusalem's people gasping for breath, pleading for help, prostrate before their murderers.