Jeremiah 14 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

“Judah mourns

And her gates languish;

Her people sit on the ground in mourning clothes

And the cry of Jerusalem has gone up.

“Their nobles have sent their servants for water;

They have come to the cisterns and found no water.

They have returned with empty vessels;

They have been shamed and humiliated,

And they cover their heads.

“The ground is cracked

Because there has been no rain on the land;

The farmers are distressed,

And they have covered their heads [in shame].

“The doe in the field has given birth only to abandon her young

Because there is no grass.

“And the wild donkeys stand on the barren heights;

They pant for air like jackals,

Their eyesight fails

Because there is no grass.

“O LORD, though our many sins testify against us” [prays Jeremiah],

“Act now [for us and] for Your name’s sake [so that the faithless may witness Your faithfulness]!

For our backslidings are countless;

We have sinned against You.

“O Hope of Israel,

Her Savior in time of distress and trouble,

Why should You be like a sojourner (temporary resident) in the land

Or like a traveler who turns aside and spreads his tent to linger [only] for a night?

“Why should You be [hesitant and inactive] like a man astounded and perplexed,

Like a mighty man unable to save?

Yet You, O LORD, are among us,

And we are called by Your name;

Do not leave us!”

Thus says the LORD to this people [Judah], “In the manner and to the degree [already pointed out] they have loved to wander; they have not restrained their feet. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; He will now remember [in detail] their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”

But I said, “Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, the [false] prophets are telling them, ‘You will not see the sword nor will you have famine, but I [the LORD] will give you lasting peace in this place.’”

“Therefore [Jeremiah] you will say this word to them,

‘Let my eyes flow with tears night and day,

And let them never cease;

For the virgin daughter of my people has been crushed with a great blow,

With a very serious and severely infected wound.

‘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.’”

Have You [O LORD] completely rejected Judah?

Do You loathe Zion?

Why have You stricken us so that there is no healing for us?

We looked for peace and completeness, but nothing good came;

And [we hoped] for a time of healing, but behold, terror!

We know and acknowledge, O LORD,

Our wickedness and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against You.

Do not treat us with contempt and condemn us, for Your own name’s sake;

Do not disgrace Your [fn]glorious throne;

Remember [with consideration] and do not break Your [solemn] covenant with us.

Are there any among the idols of the nations who can send rain?

Or can the heavens [of their own will] give showers?

Is it not You, O LORD our God?

Therefore we will wait and hope [confidently] in You,

For You are the one who has made all these things [the heavens and the rain].