Jeremiah 6:16
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

NASB 1977
Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is; then walk in it, And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths, “Which is the way to what is good? ” Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths: Which is the way to what is good? Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t!”

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said: My people, when you stood at the crossroads, I told you, "Follow the road your ancestors took, and you will find peace." But you refused.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said that you wouldn't live that way.

Good News Translation
The LORD said to his people, "Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it, and you will live in peace." But they said, "No, we will not!"

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: "Stand beside the roads and watch. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is. Walk in it and find rest for yourselves. But they said, 'We won't walk in it!'

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

NET Bible
The LORD said to his people: "You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it. If you do, you will find rest for your souls." But they said, "We will not follow it!"

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD, "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, 'Where is the good way?' and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." But they said, "We will not walk in it."

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk in it, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it.

World English Bible
Yahweh says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH: “Stand by the ways and see, and ask for paths of old, "" Where [is] this—the good way? And go in it, "" And find rest for yourselves. And they say, We do not go.

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah: Stand ye by the ways and see, and ask for paths of old, Where is this -- the good way? and go ye in it, And find rest for yourselves. And they say, 'We do not go.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, Stand ye upon the ways, and see, and ask for the beaten paths of old, where this the good way, and go ye in it, and find rest to your soul. And they will say, We will not go.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Stand ye on the ways, and see and ask for the old paths which is the good way, and walk ye in it: and you shall find refreshment for your souls. And they said: we will not walk.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: “Stand above the ways, and see and ask, about the ancient paths, as to which is the good way, and then walk in it. And you will find refreshment for your souls. But they said: ‘We will not walk.’

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD: Stand by the earliest roads, ask the pathways of old, “Which is the way to good?” and walk it; thus you will find rest for yourselves. But they said, “We will not walk it.”

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths and see where is the good way, and walk in it and find rest for your souls. But you said, We will not walk therein.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “Stand on the roads and see, and ask for the paths of eternity, and see which way is beautiful. Go in it and find rest for your souls”, and they said: ‘We are not going!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD: Stand ye in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, Where is the good way, and walk therein, And ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said: 'We will not walk therein.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths of the Lord; and see what is the good way, and walk in it, and ye shall find purification for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem's Final Warning
15Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD. 16This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ 17I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’…

Cross References
Matthew 11:28-29
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Isaiah 30:21
And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.

Isaiah 55:2-3
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Deuteronomy 32:7
Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you.

Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Hebrews 4:1-3
Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. / For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it. / Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.

Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Proverbs 4:26-27
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. / Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Stand.

Jeremiah 18:15
Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;

Deuteronomy 32:7
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

Song of Solomon 1:7,8
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? …

and walk.

Jeremiah 7:23
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Isaiah 2:5
O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Isaiah 30:21
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

ye shall.

Isaiah 28:12
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Matthew 11:28,29
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…

We will.

Jeremiah 2:25
Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

Jeremiah 18:12
And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

Jeremiah 22:21
I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.

Jump to Previous
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Jeremiah 6
1. The enemies sent against Judah,
4. encourage themselves.
6. God sets them on work because of their sins.
9. The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins.
18. He proclaims God's wrath.
26. He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins.














This is what the LORD says
This phrase introduces a divine proclamation, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew term for "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which underscores His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction sets the stage for a message that is not merely human wisdom but divine instruction, demanding attention and obedience.

Stand at the crossroads and look
The imagery of "crossroads" suggests a moment of decision, a place where one must choose a path. In ancient times, crossroads were significant for trade and travel, symbolizing choices that lead to different destinations. The Hebrew verb for "stand" implies a deliberate pause, urging the listener to stop and consider their direction carefully. This is a call to reflection and discernment, encouraging believers to evaluate their spiritual journey.

ask for the ancient paths
The "ancient paths" refer to the tried and true ways of righteousness and obedience to God's commandments. The Hebrew word for "ancient" can also mean "eternal," suggesting that these paths are timeless and enduring. This phrase invites believers to seek wisdom from the past, to learn from the faithfulness of previous generations who walked closely with God. It is a reminder that God's ways are not new or novel but have been established since the beginning.

where the good way is
The "good way" is synonymous with the path of righteousness and blessing. In Hebrew, "good" often connotes moral goodness, prosperity, and well-being. This phrase assures believers that God's path leads to life and peace. It is an invitation to pursue holiness and align one's life with God's will, promising that such a pursuit will result in true fulfillment and joy.

walk in it
To "walk" in the biblical sense means to live out one's faith actively and consistently. The Hebrew verb suggests a continuous, habitual action, indicating that following God's path requires ongoing commitment and perseverance. This command challenges believers to not only recognize the right path but to actively engage in it, embodying their faith in daily actions and decisions.

and you will find rest for your souls
The promise of "rest" echoes the Sabbath rest and the peace that comes from trusting in God. The Hebrew concept of "rest" involves not just physical cessation from labor but a deep, spiritual tranquility and contentment. This assurance speaks to the ultimate fulfillment and peace that comes from living in harmony with God's will, offering hope and comfort to those weary from life's burdens.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
This response highlights human rebellion and the tragic choice to reject God's guidance. The Hebrew construction indicates a deliberate and defiant refusal, showcasing the stubbornness of the human heart. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's call. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts and to choose obedience over rebellion, recognizing the blessings that come from walking in God's ways.

(16) Stand ye in the ways.--In the prophet's mind the people were as a traveller who has taken a self-chosen path, and finds that it leads him to a place of peril. Is it not well that they should stop and ask where the old paths (literally, the eternal paths; the words going, as in Jeremiah 18:15, beyond the mere antiquity of the nation's life) were, on which their fathers had travelled safely. Of these old paths they were to choose that which was most distinctly "the good way," the way of righteousness, and therefore of peace and health also. The call, however, was in vain. The people chose to travel still in the broad way that led them to destruction.

Verses 16-21. - Without hearty repentance, there is no hope of escape. But hitherto Judah has rejected all admonitions. What availeth mere ceremonial punctuality? Verse 16. - Stand ye in the ways; literally, station yourselves on (or, by) roads, i.e. at the meeting-point of different roads. There (as the following words state) the Jews are to make inquiry as to the old paths. Antiquity gives a presumption of rightness; the ancients were nearer to the days when God spoke with man; they had the guidance of God's two mighty "shepherds" (Isaiah 63:11); they knew, far better than we, who "are but of yesterday, and know nothing" (Job 8:9), the way of happiness. For though there are many pretended "ways," there is but "one way" (Jeremiah 32:39) which has Jehovah's blessing (Psalm 25:8, 9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֣ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֡ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Stand
עִמְדוּ֩ (‘im·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

at
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the crossroads
דְּרָכִ֨ים (də·rā·ḵîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and look.
וּרְא֜וּ (ū·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

Ask
וְשַׁאֲל֣וּ ׀ (wə·ša·’ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

for the ancient
עוֹלָ֗ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

paths:
לִנְתִב֣וֹת (lin·ṯi·ḇō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5410: Path, pathway

Where
אֵי־ (’ê-)
Interrogative
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

[is] the good
הַטּוֹב֙ (haṭ·ṭō·wḇ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

way?
דֶ֤רֶךְ (ḏe·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

Then walk
וּלְכוּ־ (ū·lə·ḵū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in it
בָ֔הּ (ḇāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and find
וּמִצְא֥וּ (ū·miṣ·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

rest
מַרְגּ֖וֹעַ (mar·gō·w·a‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4771: A resting place

for your souls.
לְנַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם (lə·nap̄·šə·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

But they said,
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘We will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

walk in it!?
נֵלֵֽךְ׃ (nê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says Yahweh Stand you (Jer.)
Jeremiah 6:15
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