Jeremiah

JEREMIAH 5:23
602
I made it that way to keep the water in
its place forever.
The waves may pound the beach, but
they will not destroy it.
The waves may roar as they come in,
but they cannot go beyond the beach.
23 But the people of Judah are stubborn.
They are always planning ways to turn
against me.
They turned away from me and left me.
24 The people of Judah never say to
themselves,
‘ Let’s fear and respect the Lord our God.
He gives us autumn and spring rains at
just the right time.
He makes sure that we have the harvest
at just the right time.’
25 People of Judah, you have done wrong.
So the rains and the harvest have not
come.
Your sins have kept you from enjoying
the good things from the Lord.
26 There are evil men among my people.
They are like men who make nets for
catching birds. a
They set their traps,
but they catch people instead of birds.
27 Their houses are full of lies,
like a cage full of birds.
Their lies made them rich and powerful.
28 They have grown big and fat {from the
evil they have done}.
There is no end to the evil they do.
They will not plead the case of children
who have no parents.
They will not help these orphans.
They will not let the poor be judged
fairly.
29 Should I punish the people of Judah for
doing these things?”
This message is from the Lord.
“ You know I should punish a nation such
as this.
I should give it the punishment it
deserves.
30 “ A terrible and shocking thing
has happened in the land of Judah.
31 The prophets tell lies.
The priests will not do what they were
chosen to do, b
and my people love it this way!
But what will you people do
when your punishment comes?
The Enemy Surrounds Jerusalem
6 1“Run for your lives, people of Benjamin!
Run away from the city of Jerusalem!
Blow the war trumpet in the city of
Tekoa!
a 5:26 men … birds The Hebrew text here is hard to
understand.
b 5:31 priests … were chosen to do The Hebrew text
here is hard to understand.
Put up the warning flag in the city of
Beth Hakkerem!
Do these things because disaster is
coming from the north. c
Terrible destruction is coming to you.
2 Jerusalem, d you are like a beautiful
meadow. e
But I will destroy you!
3 Enemy shepherds will surround you
with all their flocks.
They will set up their tents all around
you,
and each one will let his sheep eat the
grass.
4 “ Get ready to fight against Jerusalem.
Get up! We will attack the city at noon.
But it is already getting late.
The evening shadows are growing long.
5 So get up! We will attack the city at night!
Let’s destroy the strong walls that are
around Jerusalem.”
6 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says:
“ Cut down the trees around Jerusalem,
and build a siege mound f against it.
This city should be punished
because inside there is no justice—only
slavery.
7 As a well keeps its water fresh,
so Jerusalem keeps its wickedness fresh.
I hear about the robbing and violence in
this city all the time.
I see nothing but pain and sickness
there all the time.
8 Listen to this warning, Jerusalem,
or I will turn my back on you.
I will make your land an empty desert.
No one will be able to live there.”
9 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says:
“ Gather g the people of Israel* who
were left on their land.
Gather them the way you would gather
the last grapes on a grapevine.
Check each vine, like the workers check
each vine when they pick the grapes.”
10 Who can I speak to?
Who can I warn?
Who will listen to me?
c 6:1 north The Babylonian army came from this
direction to attack Judah. Armies from countries
north and east of Israel often came this way to
attack Judah and Israel.
d 6:2 Jerusalem Literally, “daughter Zion.” See “Zion”
in the Word List.
e 6:2 you are like a beautiful meadow The Hebrew
text here is hard to understand.
f 6:6 siege mound A large pile of dirt and rock that
an army put against the wall of a city they were
attacking. This made it easier for the enemy soldiers
to climb over the wall into the city.
g 6:9 Gather Or “glean.” There was a law that a farmer
must leave some grain in his field during harvest,
so that poor people and travelers could find some‑
thing to eat. See Lev. 19:9; 23:22.