False Gods Contrasted With The Creator
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
2 Thus says the Lord,“(A)Do not learn the way of the nations,And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavensAlthough the nations are terrified by them;
2 This is what the Lord says:Do not learn the way of the nations(A)or be terrified by signs in the heavens,although the nations are terrified by them,
2 This is what the LORD says: "Don't learn the way of the nations, and don't be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified of them.
2 Thus says the Lord,“Do not learn the way of the [pagan] nations,And do not be terrified and distressed by the signs of the heavensAlthough the pagans are terrified by them;
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
3 For the customs of the peoples are (a)(B)delusion;Because (C)it is wood cut from the forest,The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.
3 for the customs of the peoples are worthless.Someone cuts down a tree from the forest;it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.
3 For the practices of the people are worthless. Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest; it's the work of the hands of a craftsman with an ax.
3 For the customs and decrees of the peoples are [mere] delusion [exercises in futility];It is only wood which one cuts from the forest [to make a god],The work of the hands of the craftsman with the axe or cutting tool.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
4 “They (D)decorate it with silver and with gold;They (E)fasten it with nails and with hammersSo that it will not totter.
4 He decorates it with silver and gold.(B)It is fastened with hammer and nails,(C)so it won’t totter.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold. They secure it with nails and hammers so it won't totter.
4 “They adorn the idol with silver and with gold;They fasten it with hammers and nailsSo that it will not fall apart.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
5 “Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they,And they (F)cannot speak;They must be (G)carried,Because they cannot walk!Do not fear them,For they (H)can do no harm,Nor can they do any good.”
5 Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch,their idols cannot speak.(D)They must be carried(E) because they cannot walk.Do not fear them for they can do no harm(F)—and they cannot do any good.(G)
5 Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field. They can't speak! They must always be carried because they can't walk! Don't be afraid of them because they can do no harm, nor can they do any good."
5 “They are like scarecrows in a cucumber field;They cannot speak;They have to be carried,Because they cannot walk!Do not be afraid of them,For they can do no harm or evil,Nor can they do any good.”
7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
7 (K)Who would not fear You, O (L)King of the nations?Indeed it is Your due!For among all the (M)wise men of the nationsAnd in all their kingdoms,There is none like You.
7 Who should not fear You,King of the nations?(J)It is what You deserve.For among all the wise people of the nationsand among all their kingdoms,there is no one like You.
7 Who wouldn't fear you, king of the nations? This is what you deserve! Indeed, among all the wise men of the nations, and throughout all their kingdoms, there is no one like you!
7 Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?For it is appropriate and it is Your due!For among all the wise men of the nationsAnd in all their kingdoms,There is none like You.
8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
8 But they are altogether (N)stupid and foolishIn their discipline of (b)delusion—(c)their idol is wood!
8 They are both stupid and foolish,instructed by worthless idolsmade of wood!
8 Everyone is stupid and senseless. They follow worthless instruction from a piece of wood!
8 But they are altogether irrational and stupid and foolishIn their discipline of delusion—their idol is [only] wood [it is ridiculous, empty and worthless]!
9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
9 Beaten (O)silver is brought from (P)Tarshish,And (Q)gold from Uphaz,The work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith;Violet and purple are their clothing;They are all the (R)work of skilled men.
9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish,(K)and gold from Uphaz(b)(L)from the hands of a goldsmith,the work of a craftsman.Their clothing is blue and purple,all the work of skilled artisans.
9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. The idols are the work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothing is violet and purple. The idols are all the work of skilled craftsmen.
10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
10 But the Lord is the (S)true God;He is the (T)living God and the (U)everlasting King.At His wrath the (V)earth quakes,And the nations cannot (W)endure His indignation.
10 But Yahweh is the true God;(M)He is the living God(N) and eternal King.(O)The earth quakes at His wrath,(P)and the nations cannot endure His rage.
10 The LORD is the true God; he's the living God and the everlasting king. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
10 But the Lord is the true God and the God who is Truth;He is the living God and the everlasting King.The earth quakes and shudders at His wrath,And the nations are not able to endure His indignation.
11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
11 (d)Thus you shall say to them, “The (X)gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will (Y)perish from the earth and from under the (e)heavens.”
11 You are to say this to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens(Q) and the earth will perish from the earth(R) and from under these heavens.”(c)
11 Tell this to them: "The gods who didn't make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from these heavens."
11 In this manner you shall say to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”
A Hymn Of Praise To God
12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
12 It is (Z)He who made the earth by His power,Who (AA)established the world by His wisdom;And by His understanding He has (AB)stretched out the heavens.
12 He made the earth by His power,established the world(S) by His wisdom,(T)and spread out the heavens by His understanding.(U)
12 The LORD is the one who made the world by his power, who established the earth by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
12 God made the earth by His power;He established the world by His wisdomAnd by His understanding and skill He has stretched out the heavens.
13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
13 When He utters His (AC)voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,And He causes the (AD)clouds to ascend from the end of the earth;He makes lightning for the rain,And brings out the (AE)wind from His storehouses.
13 When He thunders,(d)the waters in the heavens are in turmoil,(V)and He causes the clouds to risefrom the ends of the earth.He makes lightning for the rainand brings the wind from His storehouses.(W)
13 When his voice sounds there is thunder from the waters of heaven, and he makes clouds rise up from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings wind out of his storehouses.
14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
14 Every man is (AF)stupid, devoid of knowledge;Every goldsmith is put to shame by his (f)idols;For his molten images are deceitful,And there is no breath in them.
14 Everyone is stupid and ignorant.Every goldsmith is put to shameby his carved image,(X)for his cast images are a lie;(Y)there is no breath in them.(Z)
14 Everyone is stupid and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false. There is no life in them.
14 Every man has become [like a brute] irrational and stupid, without knowledge [of God];Every goldsmith is shamed by his carved idols;For his molten images are frauds and lies,And there is no breath in them.
15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
15 They are worthless, a work to be mocked.At the time of their punishmentthey will be destroyed.(AA)
15 They're worthless, a work of mockery, and when the time of punishment comes, they'll perish.
15 They are worthless and devoid of promise, a work of delusion and mockery;In their time of [trial and] punishment they will perish [without hope].
16 The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.
16 The (AI)portion of Jacob is not like these;For the (g)(AJ)Maker of all is He,And (AK)Israel is the tribe of His inheritance;The (AL)Lord of hosts is His name.
16 Jacob’s Portion(e) is not like thesebecause He is the One who formed all things.(AB)Israel is the tribe of His inheritance;(AC)Yahweh of Hosts is His name.(AD)
16 The Portion of Jacob is not like these. He made everything, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance. The LORD of the Heavenly Armies is his name.
16 The Portion of Jacob [the true God on whom Israel has a claim] is not like these;For He is the Designer and Maker of all things,And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance [and He will not fail them]—The Lord of hosts is His name.
Exile After The Siege
18 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.
18 For thus says the Lord,“Behold, I am (AN)slinging out the inhabitants of the landAt this time,And will cause them distress,That they may (h)be found.”
18 For this is what the Lord says:Look, I am slinging out(AF)the land’s residents at this timeand bringing them such distressthat they will feel it.
18 For this is what the LORD says: "I'm going to throw out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and I'll bring distress on them so they'll experience it."
18 For thus says the Lord;“Behold, I am slinging out at this time the people of this land,And will cause them [great] distress,That they may find it [to be as I have said].”
The Nation Accepts Its Judgment
19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
19 (AO)Woe is me, because of my (i)injury!My (AP)wound is incurable.But I said, “Truly this is a sickness,And I (AQ)must bear it.”
19 Woe to me because of my brokenness—I am severely wounded!(AG)I exclaimed, “This is my intense suffering,but I must bear it.”
19 Woe is me because of my injury. My wound is severe. I said, "Truly this is my sickness, and I must bear it.
19 “Woe to me because of my [spiritual] brokenness!” [says Jeremiah, speaking for the nation.]“My wound is incurable.”But I said, “Surely this sickness and suffering and grief are mine,And I must bear it.”
20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
20 My (AR)tent is destroyed,And all my ropes are broken;My (AS)sons have gone from me and are no more.There is (AT)no one to stretch out my tent againOr to set up my curtains.
20 My tent is destroyed;(AH)all my tent cords are snapped.My sons have departed from me and are no more.I have no one to pitch my tent againor to hang up my curtains.
20 My tent is destroyed, and all my tent cords are broken. My sons have gone away from me, they no longer live. There is no one to pitch my tent again and set up my curtains.
20 My tent is destroyed,And all my [tent] cords are broken;My children have been taken from me [as captives] and are no more.There is no one to stretch out my tent againAnd to set up my [tent] curtains.
21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
21 For the shepherds have become stupidAnd (AU)have not sought the Lord;Therefore they have not prospered,And (AV)all their flock is scattered.
21 For the shepherds are stupid:they don’t seek the Lord.(AI)Therefore they have not prospered,and their whole flock is scattered.
21 Because the shepherds are stupid and don't seek the LORD, therefore, they don't prosper, and their flock is scattered.
21 For the shepherds [of the people] have become [like brutes,] irrational and stupid,And have not searched for the Lord or asked about Him or realized their need for Him;Therefore they have not been wise and have not prospered,And all their flocks are scattered.
22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
22 The sound of a (AW)report! Behold, it comes—A great commotion (AX)out of the land of the north—To (AY)make the cities of JudahA desolation, a haunt of jackals.
22 Listen! A noise—it is coming—a great commotion(AJ) from the land to the north.The cities of Judah will be made desolate,a jackals’ den.(AK)
22 The sound of a report, it's coming now! There is a great commotion from a land in the north to make the towns of Judah desolate, a refuge for jackals."
22 The sound of a report! Behold, [the invader] comes—A great commotion from the country of the north (Babylonia)—To make the cities of JudahA desolation, a haunt and dwelling place of jackals.
Jeremiah's Prayer
23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
23 I know, O Lord, that (AZ)a man’s way is not in himself,(BA)Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.
23 I know, Lord,that a man’s way of life is not his own;no one who walks determines his own steps.(AL)
23 LORD, I know that a person's life is not his to control, nor does a person establish his way in life.
24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
24 (BB)Correct me, O Lord, but with justice;Not with Your anger, or You will (j)bring me to nothing.
24 LORD, correct me, but with justice, not with anger. Otherwise, you'll bring me to nothing.
24 O Lord, correct me [along with Your people], but with mercy and in just measure—Not in Your anger, or You will crush me and bring me to nothing.
25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
25 (BC)Pour out Your wrath on the nations that (BD)do not know YouAnd on the families that (BE)do not call Your name;For they have devoured Jacob;They have (BF)devoured him and consumed himAnd have laid waste his (k)habitation.
25 Pour out Your wrath on the nationsthat don’t recognize Youand on the familiesthat don’t call on Your name,for they have consumed Jacob;they have consumed him and finished him offand made his homeland desolate.(AN)
25 Pour out your anger on the nations that don't acknowledge you, and on the families that don't call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured and consumed him; they have devastated his habitation.
25 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know nor recognize YouAnd on the families that do not call Your name.For they have devoured Jacob;They have devoured him and consumed himAnd made his land a desolate waste.