Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Easy-to-Read Version

Jeremiah 14:18

If I go into the country, I see the bodies of those killed in war. If I go into the city, I see people sick from hunger. The priests and prophets continue their work, but they don't understand what is happening.'"

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Famine;   Intercession;   Israel, Prophecies Concerning;   War;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Priests;  

Dictionaries:

- Holman Bible Dictionary - Prophecy, Prophets;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Sick;   Zechariah, Book of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Lamentations;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
If I go out to the field,look—those slain by the sword!If I enter the city,look—those ill from famine!For both prophet and priesttravel to a land they do not know.
Hebrew Names Version
If I go forth into the field, then, behold, the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then, behold, those who are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the Kohen go about in the land, and have no knowledge.
King James Version
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
English Standard Version
If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge.'"
New American Standard Bible
'If I go out to the country, There are those killed by the sword! Or if I enter the city, There are diseases from famine! For both prophet and priest Have wandered around in the land that they do not know.'"
New Century Version
If I go into the country, I see people killed by swords. If I go into the city, I see much sickness, because the people have no food. Both the priests and the prophets have been taken to a foreign land.'"
Amplified Bible
'If I go out into the field, Then I gaze on those slaughtered with the sword! And if I enter the city, Then I gaze on [those tormented with] the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest [who should have guided the people] Go about [bewildered and exiled] in a land (Babylon) that they do not know or understand.'"
World English Bible
If I go forth into the field, then, behold, the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then, behold, those who are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land, and have no knowledge.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For if I go into the field, behold the slaine with the sworde: and if I enter into the citie, behold them that are sicke for hunger also: moreouer the Prophet also & the Priest go a wandring into a land that they know not.
Legacy Standard Bible
If I go out to the field,Behold, those slain with the sword!Or if I enter the city,Behold, diseases of famine!For both prophet and priestHave gone around as merchants in the land that they do not know.'"
Berean Standard Bible
If I go out to the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see those ravaged by famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know."
Contemporary English Version
In the fields I see the bodies of those killed in battle. And in the towns I see crowds dying of hunger. But the prophets and priests go about their business, without understanding what has happened."
Complete Jewish Bible
If I go out in the field, I see those slain with the sword. If I enter the city, I see the victims of famine. Meanwhile, prophets and cohanim ply their trade in the land, knowing nothing.'"
Darby Translation
If I go forth into the field, behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, behold them that pine away with famine! For both prophet and priest shall go about into a land that they know not.
George Lamsa Translation
If I go forth into the desert, then behold, the slain with the sword! And if I enter into the city, then behold, those who are suffering with famine! For also both the prophets and the priests are begging in the land unrecognized.
Good News Translation
When I go out in the fields, I see the bodies of men killed in war; when I go into the towns, I see people starving to death. Prophets and priests carry on their work, but they don't know what they are doing."
Lexham English Bible
If I go out into the field, then look, those slain by the sword. And if I enter the city, then look, the sickness of the famine. For both prophet and priest wander around through the land, they do not know what is going on.'"
Literal Translation
If I go out into the field, then I see those pierced with the sword. And if I enter into the city, then, behold, diseases of famine! Yes, both the prophet and the priest have gone around into a land that they do not know.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For yff I go in to the felde, lo, it lieth all full off slayne men: Yff I come in to the cite, lo, they be all fameshed of honger. Yee their prophetes also and prestes shalbe led in to an vnknowne londe.
American Standard Version
If I go forth into the field, then, behold, the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then, behold, they that are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land, and have no knowledge.
Bible in Basic English
If I go out into the open country, there are those put to death by the sword! and if I go into the town, there are those who are diseased from need of food! for the prophet and the priest go about in the land and have no knowledge.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! And if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! For both the prophet and the priest are gone about to a land, and knew it not.
King James Version (1611)
If I goe forth into the field, then behold the slaine with the sword, and if I enter into the citie, then behold them that are sicke with famine, yea both the prophet and the priest goe about into a land that they know not.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For yf I go into the fielde, lo, it lyeth all full of slayne men: If I come into the citie, lo, they be all famished of hunger: yea their prophetes also and priestes shalbe led into an vnknowen lande.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
If I go forth into the plain, then behold the slain by the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold the distress of famine! for priest and prophet have gone to a land which they knew not.
English Revised Version
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land and have no knowledge.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
If Y go out to feeldis, lo! men ben slayn bi swerd; and if Y entre in to the citee, lo! men ben maad leene for hungur; also a profete and a prest yeden in to the lond which thei knewen not.
Update Bible Version
If I go forth into the field, then, look, the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then, look, those that are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land, and have no knowledge.
Webster's Bible Translation
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yes, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
New English Translation
If I go out into the countryside, I see those who have been killed in battle. If I go into the city, I see those who are sick because of starvation. For both prophet and priest go about their own business in the land without having any real understanding.'"
New King James Version
If I go out to the field, Then behold, those slain with the sword! And if I enter the city, Then behold, those sick from famine! Yes, both prophet and priest go about in a land they do not know."'
New Living Translation
If I go out into the fields, I see the bodies of people slaughtered by the enemy. If I walk the city streets, I see people who have died of starvation. The prophets and priests continue with their work, but they don't know what they're doing."
New Life Bible
If I go out to the country, I see those killed by the sword! Or if I go into the city, I see diseases because of hunger! For both the man who speaks for God and the religious leader have gone around and around in the land they do not know.'"
New Revised Standard
If I go out into the field, look—those killed by the sword! And if I enter the city, look—those sick with famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade throughout the land, and have no knowledge.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If I have gone out into the field, Then lo! the slain of the sword! And if have entered the city, Then lo! the diseases of famine! For, both prophet and priest, have trafficked against the land unnoticed.
Douay-Rheims Bible
If I go forth into the fields, behold the slain with the sword: and if I enter into the city, behold them that are consumed with famine. The prophet also and the priest are gone into a land which they knew not.
Revised Standard Version
If I go out into the field, behold, those slain by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land, and have no knowledge.'"
Young's Literal Translation
If I have gone forth to the field, Then, lo, the pierced of the sword! And if I have entered the city, Then, lo, the diseased of famine! For both prophet and priest have gone up and down Unto a land that they knew not.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
'If I go out to the country, Behold, those slain with the sword! Or if I enter the city, Behold, diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest Have gone roving about in the land that they do not know.'"

Contextual Overview

17 "Jeremiah, speak this message to the people of Judah: ‘My eyes fill with tears night and day without stopping. I cry for my virgin daughter, and for my dear people, because someone hit them and crushed them. They have been hurt very badly. 18 If I go into the country, I see the bodies of those killed in war. If I go into the city, I see people sick from hunger. The priests and prophets continue their work, but they don't understand what is happening.'" 19 Lord, have you completely rejected the nation of Judah? Do you hate Zion? You hurt us so badly that we cannot be made well again. Why did you do that? We were hoping for peace, but nothing good has come. We were hoping for a time of healing, but only terror came. 20 Lord , we know that we are wicked. We know that our ancestors did evil things. Yes, we sinned against you. 21 For the good of your name, don't push us away. Don't take away the honor from your glorious throne. Remember your agreement with us and do not break it. 22 Foreign idols don't have the power to bring rain. The sky does not have the power to send down showers of rain. You, the Lord our God, are our only hope. You are the one who made all these things.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

go forth: Jeremiah 52:6, Jeremiah 52:7, Lamentations 1:20, Lamentations 4:9, Ezekiel 7:15

yea: Jeremiah 6:13, Jeremiah 8:10, Jeremiah 23:21, Deuteronomy 28:36, Deuteronomy 28:64, Isaiah 28:7, Lamentations 4:13-16

go about: etc. or, make merchandise against a land, and men acknowledge it not, Jeremiah 2:8, Jeremiah 5:31, Micah 3:11, 2 Peter 2:3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:16 - in the field Deuteronomy 32:24 - burnt 1 Kings 17:12 - that we may eat it 1 Kings 18:2 - a sore 2 Kings 6:25 - a great famine 2 Kings 7:4 - we will enter 2 Kings 7:13 - they are even Nehemiah 6:14 - on the prophetess Psalms 107:5 - General Psalms 144:14 - no breaking in Isaiah 3:25 - Thy men Isaiah 5:13 - honourable men are famished Isaiah 8:21 - hardly bestead Isaiah 22:2 - thy slain Isaiah 51:20 - sons Jeremiah 4:19 - My bowels Jeremiah 4:31 - because Jeremiah 6:25 - Go not Jeremiah 15:14 - pass Jeremiah 22:28 - which Jeremiah 23:9 - heart Lamentations 3:51 - eye Ezekiel 6:7 - slain Micah 2:4 - and lament Micah 6:9 - hear Micah 6:13 - I make

Cross-References

Genesis 14:10
There were many holes filled with tar in the Valley of Siddim. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their armies ran away, some of the soldiers fell into these holes, but the others ran away to the mountains.
Genesis 14:22
But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I promise to the Lord , the God Most High, the one who made heaven and earth.
Ruth 3:10
Then Boaz said, "May the Lord bless you, young woman. You have been very kind to me. Your kindness to me is greater than the kindness you showed to Naomi in the beginning. You could have looked for a young man to marry, rich or poor. But you did not.
2 Samuel 2:5
David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead. These messengers told the men in Jabesh: "The Lord bless you, because you have shown kindness to your lord Saul by burying him.
Psalms 7:17
I praise the Lord because he is good. I praise the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalms 50:14
You made promises to God Most High, so give him what you promised. Bring your sacrifices and thank offerings.
Psalms 57:2
I pray to God Most High for help, and he takes care of me completely!
Psalms 76:2
His Temple is in Salem. His house is on Mount Zion.
Micah 6:6
What must I bring when I come to meet with the Lord ? What must I do when I bow down to God above? Should I come to him with burnt offerings and a year-old calf?
Acts 7:48
"But the Most High God does not live in houses built by human hands. This is what the prophet writes:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If I go forth into the field,.... Without the city, where was the camp of the enemy besieging it

then behold the slain with the sword! the sword of the enemy; who by sallying out of the city upon them, or by endeavouring to make their escape into the country, fell into their hands, and were slain by them.

And if I enter into the city; the city of Jerusalem:

then behold them that are sick with the famine! just ready to die, being starved for want of provisions; and multitudes dead, and their carcasses lying in the streets unburied; the prophet does not make mention of the dead indeed, only of the sick with famine; the reason of which, Kimchi says, is because the sick were more than the dead.

Yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they knew not; into the land of Chaldea, a strange and foreign country, whither they were carried captive, both in the times of Jehoiakim and of Zedekiah, and whither they might go in ways far about: and this seems to be understood of false prophets and wicked priests, that had led the people about, and had caused them to wander from the ways of God and his worship; and therefore, in righteous retaliation, they are led in round about ways to a land unknown to them: though some think that the true prophets and priests of the Lord may be meant, as Ezekiel and Daniel, who were carried captive into Babylon: others interpret them of such going about in the land of Judea seeking for bread and water, or food in the time of the famine;

but they know not q, as the last clause may be literally rendered, that is, men know them not, take no notice of them, show no regard to them, and give them no relief; the famine being so sore, that everyone was for himself, and could afford no help to others, even to the prophets and priests. Some render the words, "yea, the priest and the prophet make merchandise against the land"; or, "through the lands" r; by deceiving the people with their false prophecies: or rather, go about the land making merchandise s; of the souls of men; see 2 Peter 2:3, making a gain of their visions and prophecies:

and they know not; the people are not aware of their deception and falsehood. The Targum is,

"for even the scribe and the priest are turned to their own negotiations or merchandises, to that which is in the land, neither do they inquire;''

they minded their own affairs, and inquired not for, nor sought after, the people's good.

q ולא ידעו "et non agnoverunt, Supple, ulli eos", De Dieu. r סחרז אל ארץ "nundinantur contra terram", Junius Tremellius, Piscator "mercaturam exercuerunt per terram", Cocceius. s סהר אל ארץ "est circuire terram negotiandi causa", Grotius.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 14:18. If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword — Every place presents frightful spectacles; the wounded, the dying, the starving, and the slain; none to bury the dead, none to commiserate the dying, none to bring either relief or consolation. Even the prophets and the priests are obliged to leave the cities, and wander about in unfrequented and unknown places, seeking for the necessaries of life. Dr. Blayney thinks that the going about of the prophets and priests of the land, is to be understood thus: - "They went trafficking about with their false doctrines and lying predictions, as pedlars do with their wares, seeking their own gain." I think the other sense preferable.


 
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