Jeremiah 14

Famine, Sword, and Pestilence

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning y the drought:

2 z "Judah mourns,
and a her gates languish;
her people lament on the ground,
and b the cry of Jerusalem goes up.
3 Her nobles send their servants for water;
they come to the cisterns;
they find no water;
they return with their vessels empty;
they are c ashamed and confounded
and d cover their heads.
4 Because of the ground that is dismayed,
since there is e no rain on the land,
the farmers are ashamed;
they cover their heads.
5 Even f the doe in the field forsakes her newborn fawn
because there is no grass.
6 g The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights;
they pant for air like jackals;
their eyes fail
because there is no vegetation.

7 "Though our iniquities testify against us,
act, O Lord, h for your name's sake;
i for our backslidings are many;
j we have sinned against you.
8 k O you hope of Israel,
its savior in time of trouble,
why should you be like a stranger in the land,
like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
9 Why should you be like a man confused,
l like a mighty warrior who cannot save?
Yet m you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,
and n we are called by your name;
o do not leave us."

10 Thus says the Lord concerning this people:
"They have loved to wander thus;
they have not restrained their feet;
p therefore the Lord does not accept them;
q now he will remember their iniquity
and punish their sins."

11 The Lord said to me: r "Do not pray for the welfare of this people. 12 Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, s and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them t by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence."

Lying Prophets

13 Then I said: "Ah, Lord God, behold, the prophets u say to them, 'You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place.'" 14 And the Lord said to me: "The v prophets are prophesying lies in my name. w I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, x worthless divination, and y the deceit of their own minds. 15 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although w I did not send them, and who say, t 'Sword and famine shall not come upon this land': z By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. 16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, a with none to bury them - them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.

17 "You shall say to them this word:
b 'Let my eyes run down with tears night and day,
and let them not cease,
for the virgin c daughter of my people is shattered with a great wound,
d with a very grievous blow.
18 e If I go out into the field,
behold, those pierced by the sword!
e And if I enter the city,
behold, the diseases of famine!
f For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land
and have no knowledge.'"

19 g Have you utterly rejected Judah?
Does your soul loathe Zion?
Why have you struck us down
h so that there is no healing for us?
i We looked for peace, but no good came;
i for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
20 j We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord,
and the iniquity of our fathers,
j for we have sinned against you.
21 Do not spurn us, k for your name's sake;
do not dishonor your glorious throne;
l remember and do not break your covenant with us.
22 Are there any among m the false gods of the nations n that can bring rain?
Or can the heavens give showers?
Are you not he, O Lord our God?
We set our hope on you,
o for you do all these things.

  1. Cross References
    Jeremiah 17:8
    He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
  2. Cross References
    Lamentations 1:4
    The roads to Zion mourn, for none come to the festival; all her gates are desolate; her priests groan; her virgins have been afflicted, and she herself suffers bitterly.
  3. Cross References
    Isaiah 3:26
    And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground.
    Lamentations 2:8
    The Lord determined to lay in ruins the wall of the daughter of Zion; he stretched out the measuring line; he did not restrain his hand from destroying; he caused rampart and wall to lament; they languished together.
  4. Cross References
    1 Samuel 5:12
    The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 40:14
    Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
  6. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:30
    But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went.
  7. Cross References
    Jeremiah 3:3
    Therefore the showers have been withheld, and the spring rain has not come; yet you have the forehead of a whore; you refuse to be ashamed.
  8. Cross References
    Job 39:1
    Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the does?
    Psalms 29:9
    The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, "Glory!
  9. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:24
    A wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her.
  10. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:21
    Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.
    Psalms 25:11
    For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
  11. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:19
    Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts.
  12. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:20
    We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.
  13. Cross References
    Jeremiah 17:13
    O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.
    Jeremiah 50:7
    All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, 'We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the Lord, their habitation of righteousness, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.
    Psalms 71:5
    For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
  14. Cross References
    Isaiah 59:1
    Behold, the Lord 's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.
  15. Cross References
    Exodus 29:45
    I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God.
  16. Cross References
    Daniel 9:18
    O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
    Ephesians 3:15
    From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 119:121
    I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
  18. Cross References
    Hosea 8:13
    As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the Lord does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.
  19. Cross References
    Hosea 9:9
    They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah: he will remember their iniquity; he will punish their sins.
  20. Cross References
    Jeremiah 7:16
    As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you.
  21. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:28
    Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
    Isaiah 1:15
    When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
    Ezekiel 8:18
    Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.
    Micah 3:4
    Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.
    Jeremiah 6:20
    What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
  22. Cross References
    Jeremiah 16:4
    They shall die of deadly diseases. They shall not be lamented, nor shall they be buried. They shall be as dung on the surface of the ground. They shall perish by the sword and by famine, and their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the air and for the beasts of the earth.
    Jeremiah 24:10
    And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.
    Jeremiah 32:24
    Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you spoke has come to pass, and behold, you see it.
    Ezekiel 14:21
    For thus says the Lord God : How much more when I send upon Jerusalem my four disastrous acts of judgment, sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast!
  23. Cross References
    Jeremiah 4:10
    Then I said, "Ah, Lord God, surely you have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, 'It shall be well with you,' whereas the sword has reached their very life.
    Jeremiah 6:14
    They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.
  24. Cross References
    Jeremiah 5:31
    The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
  25. Cross References
    Jeremiah 23:21
    I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.
    Jeremiah 27:15
    I have not sent them, declares the Lord, but they are prophesying falsely in my name, with the result that I will drive you out and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.
    Deuteronomy 18:20
    But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.
    Matthew 7:15
    Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
    Mark 13:22
    For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
  26. Cross References
    Ezekiel 13:6
    They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the Lord,' when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.
    Jeremiah 27:9
    So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, 'You shall not serve the king of Babylon.
    Jeremiah 29:8
    For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream.
  27. Cross References
    Jeremiah 23:26
    How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart.
  28. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:14
    And the Lord said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.
  29. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:12
    Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.
  30. Cross References
    Jeremiah 23:34
    And as for the prophet, priest, or one of the people who says, 'The burden of the Lord,' I will punish that man and his household.
  31. Cross References
    Psalms 79:3
    They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.
  32. Cross References
    Jeremiah 13:17
    But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord 's flock has been taken captive.
  33. Cross References
    Jeremiah 8:21
    For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me.
  34. Cross References
    Jeremiah 10:19
    Woe is me because of my hurt! My wound is grievous. But I said, "Truly this is an affliction, and I must bear it.
    Jeremiah 30:12
    For thus says the Lord : Your hurt is incurable, and your wound is grievous.
  35. Cross References
    Ezekiel 7:15
    The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour.
  36. Cross References
    Ezekiel 7:15
    The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour.
  37. Cross References
    Jeremiah 5:31
    The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
  38. Cross References
    Lamentations 5:22
    Unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us.
  39. Cross References
    Jeremiah 15:18
    Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?
  40. Cross References
    Jeremiah 8:15
    We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
  41. Cross References
    Jeremiah 8:15
    We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
  42. Cross References
    Psalms 106:6
    Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
    Daniel 9:5
    We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.
    Daniel 9:8
    To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
  43. Cross References
    Psalms 106:6
    Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
    Daniel 9:5
    We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.
    Daniel 9:8
    To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
  44. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:7
    Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
  45. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:42
    Then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.
    Psalms 106:45
    For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
  46. Cross References
    Jeremiah 10:15
    They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
    Deuteronomy 32:21
    They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
  47. Cross References
    Job 28:26
    When he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder.
    Job 38:26
    To bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man.
    Job 38:28
    Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew?
    Zechariah 10:1 - 2
    Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.
  48. Cross References
    Job 12:9
    Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
    Isaiah 66:2
    All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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