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Sunday, September 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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Bible in Basic English

Jeremiah 31:28

And it will come about that, as I have been watching over them for the purpose of uprooting and smashing down and overturning and sending destruction and causing trouble; so I will be watching over them for the purpose of building up and planting, says the Lord.

Bible Study Resources

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Backsliding;   Building;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Lo-Ammi;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Jeremiah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Death;   Ezekiel;   Greek Versions of Ot;   Jeremiah;   Sin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Progress;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Builder;   Compass;   Ezekiel;   Zechariah, Book of;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster, so will I watch over them to build and to plant them”—this is the Lord’s declaration.
Hebrew Names Version
It shall happen that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD.
King James Version
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord .
English Standard Version
And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the Lord .
New American Standard Bible
"And just as I have watched over them to uproot them, tear them down, ruin, destroy, and bring disaster on them, so I will watch over them to build and to plant them," declares the LORD.
New Century Version
In the past I watched over Israel and Judah, to pull them up and tear them down, to destroy them and bring them disaster. But now I will watch over them to build them up and make them strong," says the Lord .
Amplified Bible
"It will be that as I have watched over them to uproot and to break down, to overthrow, destroy, and afflict with disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant [with good]," says the LORD.
World English Bible
It shall happen that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, says Yahweh.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And like as I haue watched vpon them, to plucke vp and to roote out, and to throw downe, and to destroy, and to plague them, so wil I watch ouer them, to build & to plant them, saith ye Lord.
Legacy Standard Bible
And it will be that as I have watched over them to uproot, to tear down, to pull down, to destroy, and to bring calamity, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares Yahweh.
Berean Standard Bible
Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear them down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so will I be attentive to build them and to plant them," declares the LORD.
Contemporary English Version
In the past, I took care to uproot them, to tear them down, and to destroy them. But when that day comes, I will take care to plant them and help them grow.
Complete Jewish Bible
"When those days come they will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'
Darby Translation
And it shall come to pass, as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to overthrow, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them to build, and to plant, saith Jehovah.
Easy-to-Read Version
In the past I watched over Israel and Judah, but I watched for the time to pull them up. I tore them down. I destroyed them. I gave many troubles to them. But now I will watch over them to build them up and make them strong." This message is from the Lord .
George Lamsa Translation
And it shall come to pass that as I purposed against them, to uproot them and to break them down and to overthrow them and to destroy and to afflict; so will I be mindful of them, to build and to plant, says the LORD.
Good News Translation
And just as I took care to uproot, to pull down, to overthrow, to destroy, and to demolish them, so I will take care to plant them and to build them up.
Lexham English Bible
And then as I have watched over them to pull up, and to tear down, and to annihilate, and to destroy, and to do evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares Yahweh.
Literal Translation
And it shall be, as I have watched over them to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to bring calamity; so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says Jehovah.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yee it shall come therto, that like as I haue gone aboute in tymes past to rote them out, to scatre them, to breake them downe, to destroye them and chaste them: Euen so will I also go diligently aboute, to buylde them vp agayne, and to plante them, saieth the LORDE.
American Standard Version
And it shall come to pass that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith Jehovah.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
In those days they shall say no more: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'
King James Version (1611)
And it shall come to passe, that like as I haue watched ouer them, to plucke vp and to breake downe, and to throw downe, and to destroy, and to afflict: so will I watch ouer them, to build and to plant, saith the Lord.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Yea it shall come therto, that like as I haue gone about in tymes past to roote them out, to scatter them, to breake them downe, to destroy them, & chasten them: euen so wyll I also go diligently about to builde them vp agayne, and to plant them, saith the Lorde.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
The inhabitants of Moab have left the cities, and dwelt in rocks; they have become as doves nestling in rocks, at the mouth of a cave.
English Revised Version
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down, and to overthrow and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith the LORD.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And as Y wakide on hem, to drawe vp bi the roote, and to distrie, and to scatere, and to leese, and to turmente; so Y schal wake on hem, to bilde, and to plaunte, seith the Lord.
Update Bible Version
And it shall come to pass that, like I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says Yahweh.
Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall come to pass, [that] as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build and to plant, saith the LORD.
New English Translation
In the past I saw to it that they were uprooted and torn down, that they were destroyed and demolished. But now I will see to it that they are built up and firmly planted. I, the Lord , affirm it!"
New King James Version
And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD.
New Living Translation
In the past I deliberately uprooted and tore down this nation. I overthrew it, destroyed it, and brought disaster upon it. But in the future I will just as deliberately plant it and build it up. I, the Lord , have spoken!
New Life Bible
And as I have watched over them to pull up, to break down, to take power away, to destroy, and to bring trouble, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," says the Lord.
New Revised Standard
And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord .
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it shall come to pass, that - Just as I watched over them, to root up and to break down and to tear out and to destroy, and to break in pieces, So, will I watch over them, to build and to plant, Declareth Yahweh.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to throw down, and to scatter, and destroy, and afflict: so will I watch over them, to build up, and to plant them, saith the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD.
Young's Literal Translation
And it hath been, as I watched over them to pluck up, And to break down, and to throw down, And to destroy, and to afflict; So do I watch over them to build, and to plant, An affirmation of Jehovah.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"As I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares the LORD.

Contextual Overview

27 See, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will have Israel and Judah planted with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. 28 And it will come about that, as I have been watching over them for the purpose of uprooting and smashing down and overturning and sending destruction and causing trouble; so I will be watching over them for the purpose of building up and planting, says the Lord. 29 In those days they will no longer say, The fathers have been tasting bitter grapes and the children's teeth are put on edge. 30 But everyone will be put to death for the evil which he himself has done: whoever has taken bitter grapes will himself have his teeth put on edge. 31 See, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah: 32 Not like the agreement which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to be their guide out of the land of Egypt; which agreement was broken by them, and I gave them up, says the Lord. 33 But this is the agreement which I will make with the people of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my law in their inner parts, writing it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And no longer will they be teaching every man his neighbour and every man his brother, saying, Get knowledge of the Lord: for they will all have knowledge of me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord: for they will have my forgiveness for their evil-doing, and their sin will go from my memory for ever.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

that like: Jeremiah 44:27, Daniel 9:14

to pluck: Jeremiah 1:10, Jeremiah 18:7-9, Jeremiah 45:4

so: Jeremiah 24:6, Jeremiah 32:41, Psalms 69:35, Psalms 102:16, Psalms 147:2, Ecclesiastes 3:2, Ecclesiastes 3:3, Daniel 9:25, Amos 9:11, Acts 15:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:17 - breed Deuteronomy 28:63 - plucked from 2 Chronicles 7:20 - I pluck 2 Chronicles 30:9 - so that they shall Jeremiah 12:17 - pluck Jeremiah 18:9 - to build Jeremiah 32:42 - Like Jeremiah 33:7 - and will Jeremiah 42:10 - then Ezekiel 19:12 - she was Ezekiel 36:10 - I will Ezekiel 36:38 - the waste Amos 3:5 - General Zechariah 8:14 - As

Cross-References

Genesis 29:13
And Laban, hearing news of Jacob, his sister's son, came running, and took Jacob in his arms, and kissing him, made him come into his house. And Jacob gave him news of everything.
Genesis 31:3
Then the Lord said to Jacob, Go back to the land of your fathers, and to your relations, and I will be with you.
Genesis 31:13
I am the God of Beth-el, where you put oil on the pillar and took an oath to me: now then, come out of this land and go back to the country of your birth.
Genesis 31:24
Then God came to Laban in a dream by night, and said to him, Take care that you say nothing good or bad to Jacob.
Genesis 31:55
And early in the morning Laban, after kissing and blessing his daughters, went on his way back to his country.
Exodus 4:27
And the Lord said to Aaron, Go into the waste land and you will see Moses. So he went and came across Moses at the mountain of God, and gave him a kiss.
Ruth 1:9
May the Lord give you rest in the houses of your husbands. Then she gave them a kiss; and they were weeping bitterly.
Ruth 1:14
Then again they were weeping; and Orpah gave her mother-in-law a kiss, but Ruth would not be parted from her.
1 Samuel 13:13
And Samuel said to Saul, You have done a foolish thing: you have not kept the rules which the Lord your God gave you; it was the purpose of the Lord to make your authority over Israel safe for ever.
1 Kings 19:20
And letting the oxen be where they were, he came running after Elijah, and said, Only let me give a kiss to my father and mother, and then I will come after you. But he said to him, Go back again; for what have I done to you?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them,.... In providence; looked upon them with an eye of vindictive justice; observed all their actions and motions; diligently attended to everything that passed, and took the first and most fitting opportunity:

to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; which words, as they have an elegance and an agreeableness in their sound, in the original; so they are expressive of the utter overthrow of the city, temple, and nation of the Jews, and of the several troubles and calamities they should be afflicted with:

so will I watch over them; be as careful and diligent, as intent, earnest, and early:

to build, and to plant, saith the Lord; to build their city and temple, and to plant them in their own land. So the church of God is his building, whose foundation he lays, the superstructure of which he rears up, and will complete it in his own time; and it is his plantation, into which he puts his pleasant plants, his plants of renown; which he waters with his Spirit and grace, by the ministry of the word, that they may grow, and become fruitful.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The prophet shows that the happiness of Israel and Judah, united in one prosperous nation, will rest upon the consciousness that their chastisement has been the result of sins which they have themselves committed, and that God’s covenant depends not upon external sanctions, but upon a renewed heart.

Jeremiah 31:27

So rapid shall be the increase that it shall seem as if children and young cattle sprang up out of the ground.

Jeremiah 31:29, Jeremiah 31:30

A sour grape - Better, sour grapes. The idea that Jeremiah and Ezekiel (marginal reference) modified the terms of the second Commandment arises from a mistaken exegesis of their words. Compare Jeremiah 32:18; Deuteronomy 24:16. The obdurate Jews made it a reproach to the divine justice that the nation was to be sorely visited for Manasseh’s sin. But this was only because generation after generation had, instead of repenting, repeated the sins of that evil time, and even in a worse form. justice must at length have its course. The acknowledgment that each man died for his own iniquity was a sign of their return to a more just and right state of feeling.

Jeremiah 31:31

A time is foretold which shall be to the nation as marked an epoch as was the Exodus. God at Sinai made a covenant with His people, of which the sanctions were material, or (where spiritual) materially understood. Necessarily therefore the Mosaic Church was temporary, but the sanctions of Jeremiah’s Church are spiritual - written in the heart - and therefore it must take the place of the former covenant Hebrews 8:13, and must last forever. The prophecy was fulfilled when those Jews who accepted Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, expanded the Jewish into the Christian Church.

Jeremiah 31:32

Although ... - i. e., although as their husband (or, “lord” (Baal, compare Hosea 2:16)) I had lawful authority over them. The translation in Hebrews 8:9 agrees with the Septuagint here, but the balance of authority is in favor of the King James Version.

Jeremiah 31:33

The old law could be broken Jeremiah 31:32; to remedy this God gives, not a new law, but a new power to the old law. It used to be a mere code of morals, external to man, and obeyed as a duty. In Christianity, it becomes an inner force, shaping man’s character from within.

Jeremiah 31:34

I will forgive their iniquity - The foundation of the new covenant is the free forgiveness of sins (compare Matthew 1:21). It is the sense of this full unmerited love which so affects the heart as to make obedience henceforward an inner necessity.


 
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