Study Desk

Drought, Famine, Sword

This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:^(a)

"Judah mourns,^(b) her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.

The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water.^(c) They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.^(d)

The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land;^(e) the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.

Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.^(f)

Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights^(g) and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food."^(h)

Although our sins testify⁽ⁱ⁾ against us, do something, Lord , for the sake of your name.^(j) For we have often rebelled;^(k) we have sinned^(l) against you.

You who are the hope^(m) of Israel, its Savior⁽ⁿ⁾ in times of distress,^(o) why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?

Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save?^(p) You are among^(q) us, Lord , and we bear your name;^(r) do not forsake^(s) us!

This is what the Lord says about this people: "They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet.^(t) So the Lord does not accept^(u) them; he will now remember^(v) their wickedness and punish them for their sins."^(w)

Then the Lord said to me, "Do not pray^(x) for the well-being of this people.

Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry;^(y) though they offer burnt offerings^(z) and grain offerings,^(aa) I will not accept^(ab) them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword,^(ac) famine^(ad) and plague."^(ae)

But I said, "Alas, Sovereign Lord ! The prophets^(af) keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine.^(ag) Indeed, I will give you lasting peace^(ah) in this place.'"

Then the Lord said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies^(ai) in my name. I have not sent^(aj) them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions,^(ak) divinations,^(al) idolatries^[a] and the delusions of their own minds.

Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.' Those same prophets will perish^(am) by sword and famine.^(an)

And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury^(ao) them, their wives, their sons and their daughters.^(ap) I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.^(aq)

"Speak this word to them: "‘Let my eyes overflow with tears^(ar) night and day without ceasing; for the Virgin^(as) Daughter, my people, has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow.^(at)

If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I go into the city, I see the ravages of famine.^(au) Both prophet and priest have gone to a land they know not.^(av)'"

Have you rejected Judah completely?^(aw) Do you despise Zion? Why have you afflicted us so that we cannot be healed?^(ax) We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror.^(ay)

We acknowledge^(az) our wickedness, Lord , and the guilt of our ancestors;^(ba) we have indeed sinned^(bb) against you.

For the sake of your name^(bc) do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne.^(bd) Remember your covenant^(be) with us and do not break it.

Do any of the worthless idols^(bf) of the nations bring rain?^(bg) Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.^(bh)