Study Desk

How long will the ground be dry and the pasturelands parched? The birds and animals are dead and gone. And all of this happened because the people are so sinful. They even brag, "God can't see the sins we commit."

Even your own family has turned against you. They act friendly, but don't trust them. They're out to get you, and so is everyone else.

The Lord said: I gave this land to my people Israel, but enemies around it have attacked and robbed it. So I will uproot them from their own countries just as I will uproot Judah from its land.

So I bought a pair of shorts and put them on.

The people of Judah are evil and stubborn. So instead of listening to me, they do whatever they want and even worship other gods. When I am finished with these people, they will be good for nothing, just like this pair of shorts.

These shorts were tight around your waist, and that's how tightly I held onto the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. I wanted them to be my people. I wanted to make them famous, so that other nations would praise and honor me, but they refused to obey me.

You hope for light, but God is sending darkness. Evening shadows already deepen in the hills. So return to God and confess your sins to him before you trip and fall.

Jerusalem, you were so proud of ruling the people of Judah. But where are they now? Look north, and you will see your enemies approaching.

Can you ever change and do what's right? Can people change the color of their skin, or can a leopard remove its spots? If so, then maybe you can change and learn to do right.

So I'll rip off your clothes and leave you naked and ashamed for everyone to see. You are doomed! Will you ever be worthy to worship me again?

Wild donkeys go blind from starvation. So they stand on barren hilltops and sniff the air, hoping to smell green grass.

My people, you love to wander away; you don't even try to stay close to me. So now I will reject you and punish you for your sins. I, the Lord , have spoken.

Jeremiah, go and tell the people how you feel about all this. So I told them: "Tears will flood my eyes both day and night, because my nation suffers from a deadly wound.

Idols can't send rain, and showers don't fall by themselves. Only you control the rain, so we put our trust in you, the Lord our God.

The Lord said to me: Even if Moses and Samuel were here, praying with you, I wouldn't change my mind. So send the people of Judah away.

My anger is a fire that cannot be put out, so I will make you slaves of your enemies in a foreign land.

You can see how I suffer insult after insult, all because of you, Lord . Don't be so patient with my enemies; take revenge on them before they kill me.

They will ask, "Why has the Lord our God threatened us with so many disasters? Have we done something wrong or sinned against him?"

So I will throw you into a land that you and your ancestors know nothing about, a place where you will have to worship other gods both day and night. And I won't feel the least bit sorry for you.

So I'll take everything you own, including your altars, and give it all to your enemies.