Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
video advertismenet
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!
Click here to join the effort!
Read the Bible
Contemporary English Version
Jeremiah 21:8
Then I told them that the Lord had said: People of Jerusalem, I, the Lord , give you the choice of life or death.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- CondensedDevotionals:
- DailyParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
“But tell this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
“But tell this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
Hebrew Names Version
To this people you shall say, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
To this people you shall say, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
King James Version
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord ; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord ; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
English Standard Version
"And to this people you shall say: ‘Thus says the Lord : Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
"And to this people you shall say: ‘Thus says the Lord : Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
New American Standard Bible
"You shall also say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: "Behold, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
"You shall also say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: "Behold, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
New Century Version
"Also tell this to the people of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: I will let you choose to live or die.
"Also tell this to the people of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: I will let you choose to live or die.
Amplified Bible
"And to this people you (Jeremiah) shall also say, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
"And to this people you (Jeremiah) shall also say, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
World English Bible
To this people you shall say, Thus says Yahweh: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
To this people you shall say, Thus says Yahweh: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And vnto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lorde, Beholde, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
And vnto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lorde, Beholde, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
Legacy Standard Bible
"You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
"You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Berean Standard Bible
You are also to say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
You are also to say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Complete Jewish Bible
"And here is what you are to tell this people: ‘ Adonai says: "Look! I am presenting you with the way of life and the way of death.
"And here is what you are to tell this people: ‘ Adonai says: "Look! I am presenting you with the way of life and the way of death.
Darby Translation
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
Easy-to-Read Version
"Also tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: Understand that I will let you choose to live or die.
"Also tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: Understand that I will let you choose to live or die.
George Lamsa Translation
And to this people you shall say, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
And to this people you shall say, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Good News Translation
Then the Lord told me to say to the people, "Listen! I, the Lord , am giving you a choice between the way that leads to life and the way that leads to death.
Then the Lord told me to say to the people, "Listen! I, the Lord , am giving you a choice between the way that leads to life and the way that leads to death.
Lexham English Bible
"And to this people you shall say, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
"And to this people you shall say, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
Literal Translation
And you shall say to this people, So says Jehovah, Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
And you shall say to this people, So says Jehovah, Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And vnto this people thou shalt saye: Thus saieth the LORDE: beholde, I laye before you the waye of life and deeth.
And vnto this people thou shalt saye: Thus saieth the LORDE: beholde, I laye before you the waye of life and deeth.
American Standard Version
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Bible in Basic English
And to this people you are to say, The Lord has said, See, I put before you the way of life and the way of death.
And to this people you are to say, The Lord has said, See, I put before you the way of life and the way of death.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And unto this people thou shalt say: Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
And unto this people thou shalt say: Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
King James Version (1611)
And vnto this people thou shalt say; Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
And vnto this people thou shalt say; Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And vnto this people thou shalt say, thus saith the Lorde: Beholde, I lay before you the way of life and death.
And vnto this people thou shalt say, thus saith the Lorde: Beholde, I lay before you the way of life and death.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And thou shalt say to this people, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I have set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
And thou shalt say to this people, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I have set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
English Revised Version
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And thou schalt seie to this puple, The Lord God seith these thingis, Lo! Y yyue bifore you the weie of lijf, and the weie of deth.
And thou schalt seie to this puple, The Lord God seith these thingis, Lo! Y yyue bifore you the weie of lijf, and the weie of deth.
Update Bible Version
And to this people you shall say, Thus says Yahweh: Look, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
And to this people you shall say, Thus says Yahweh: Look, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Webster's Bible Translation
And to this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
And to this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
New English Translation
"But tell the people of Jerusalem that the Lord says, ‘I will give you a choice between two courses of action. One will result in life; the other will result in death.
"But tell the people of Jerusalem that the Lord says, ‘I will give you a choice between two courses of action. One will result in life; the other will result in death.
New King James Version
"Now you shall say to this people, "Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
"Now you shall say to this people, "Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
New Living Translation
"Tell all the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Take your choice of life or death!
"Tell all the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Take your choice of life or death!
New Life Bible
"Also tell the people, ‘The Lord says, "See, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
"Also tell the people, ‘The Lord says, "See, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
New Revised Standard
And to this people you shall say: Thus says the Lord : See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
And to this people you shall say: Thus says the Lord : See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And unto this people, shalt thou say, Thus, saith Yahweh, - Behold me! setting before you the way, of life, and the way of death:
And unto this people, shalt thou say, Thus, saith Yahweh, - Behold me! setting before you the way, of life, and the way of death:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And to this people thou shalt say: Thus saith the Lord: Behold I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
And to this people thou shalt say: Thus saith the Lord: Behold I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
Revised Standard Version
"And to this people you shall say: 'Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
"And to this people you shall say: 'Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Young's Literal Translation
And unto this people thou dost say, Thus said Jehovah: Lo, I am setting before you the way of life, And the way of death!
And unto this people thou dost say, Thus said Jehovah: Lo, I am setting before you the way of life, And the way of death!
THE MESSAGE
"And then tell the people at large, ‘ God 's Message to you is this: Listen carefully. I'm giving you a choice: life or death. Whoever stays in this city will die—either in battle or by starvation or disease. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who have surrounded the city will live. You'll lose everything—but not your life. I'm determined to see this city destroyed. I'm that angry with this place! God 's Decree. I'm going to give it to the king of Babylon, and he's going to burn it to the ground.'
"And then tell the people at large, ‘ God 's Message to you is this: Listen carefully. I'm giving you a choice: life or death. Whoever stays in this city will die—either in battle or by starvation or disease. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who have surrounded the city will live. You'll lose everything—but not your life. I'm determined to see this city destroyed. I'm that angry with this place! God 's Decree. I'm going to give it to the king of Babylon, and he's going to burn it to the ground.'
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You shall also say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
"You shall also say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Contextual Overview
8 Then I told them that the Lord had said: People of Jerusalem, I, the Lord , give you the choice of life or death. 9 The Babylonian army has surrounded Jerusalem, so if you want to live, you must go out and surrender to them. But if you want to die because of hunger, disease, or war, then stay here in the city. 10 I have decided not to rescue Jerusalem. Instead, I am going to let the king of Babylonia burn it to the ground. I, the Lord , have spoken. 11 Pay attention, you that belong to the royal family. 12 Each new day, make sure that justice is done, and rescue those who are being robbed. Or else my anger will flame up like a fire that never goes out. 13 Jerusalem, from your mountaintop you look out over the valleys and think you are safe. But I, the Lord , am angry, 14 and I will punish you as you deserve. I'll set your palace on fire, and everything around you will go up in smoke.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
I set: Deuteronomy 11:26, Deuteronomy 30:15, Deuteronomy 30:19, Isaiah 1:19, Isaiah 1:20
Reciprocal: Proverbs 6:23 - the way Proverbs 15:24 - way Jeremiah 38:2 - He Jeremiah 38:17 - If thou Ezekiel 18:31 - for why Micah 6:16 - that
Cross-References
Genesis 19:3
But Lot kept insisting, until they finally agreed and went home with him. He baked some bread, cooked a meal, and they ate.
But Lot kept insisting, until they finally agreed and went home with him. He baked some bread, cooked a meal, and they ate.
Genesis 26:30
Isaac gave a big feast for them, and everyone ate and drank.
Isaac gave a big feast for them, and everyone ate and drank.
Genesis 29:22
So Laban gave a big feast and invited all their neighbors.
So Laban gave a big feast and invited all their neighbors.
Genesis 40:20
Three days later, while the king was celebrating his birthday with a dinner for his officials, he sent for his personal servant and the chief cook.
Three days later, while the king was celebrating his birthday with a dinner for his officials, he sent for his personal servant and the chief cook.
Judges 14:10
While Samson's father went to make the final arrangements with the bride and her family, Samson threw a big party, as grooms usually did.
While Samson's father went to make the final arrangements with the bride and her family, Samson threw a big party, as grooms usually did.
Judges 14:12
Samson told the thirty young men, "This party will last for seven days. Let's make a bet: I'll tell you a riddle, and if you can tell me the right answer before the party is over, I'll give each one of you a shirt and a full change of clothing.
Samson told the thirty young men, "This party will last for seven days. Let's make a bet: I'll tell you a riddle, and if you can tell me the right answer before the party is over, I'll give each one of you a shirt and a full change of clothing.
1 Samuel 1:22
But Hannah stayed home, because she had told Elkanah, "Samuel and I won't go until he's old enough for me to stop nursing him. Then I'll give him to the Lord , and he can stay there at Shiloh for the rest of his life."
But Hannah stayed home, because she had told Elkanah, "Samuel and I won't go until he's old enough for me to stop nursing him. Then I'll give him to the Lord , and he can stay there at Shiloh for the rest of his life."
1 Samuel 25:36
Abigail went back home and found Nabal throwing a party fit for a king. He was very drunk and feeling good, so she didn't tell him anything that night.
Abigail went back home and found Nabal throwing a party fit for a king. He was very drunk and feeling good, so she didn't tell him anything that night.
2 Samuel 3:20
Abner took twenty soldiers with him, and when they got to Hebron, David gave a big feast for them.
Abner took twenty soldiers with him, and when they got to Hebron, David gave a big feast for them.
1 Kings 3:15
Solomon woke up and realized that God had spoken to him in the dream. He went back to Jerusalem and stood in front of the sacred chest, where he offered sacrifices to please the Lord and sacrifices to ask his blessing. Then Solomon gave a feast for his officials.
Solomon woke up and realized that God had spoken to him in the dream. He went back to Jerusalem and stood in front of the sacred chest, where he offered sacrifices to please the Lord and sacrifices to ask his blessing. Then Solomon gave a feast for his officials.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And unto the people thou shalt say, thus saith the Lord,.... These are the words, not of the prophet to the messengers of the king, ordering or advising them what they each of them should say to the people; for the message by them is finished; but they are the words of the Lord to the prophet, directing him what he should say to the people at this critical juncture:
behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death; the way how to preserve their lives; and which, if they did not choose to take, would be inevitable death. The allusion seems to be to a phrase used by Moses, when he gave the law; obedience to which would issue in life, and disobedience in death, Deuteronomy 30:15.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Compare the marginal reference; but here the alternative is a life saved by desertion to the enemy, or a death by famine, pestilence, and the sword within the walls.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Jeremiah 21:8. Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. — Meaning escape or destruction in the present instance. This is explained in the next verse.
