1The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought . 2Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish, they sit in black upon the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up . 3And their nobles send their little ones to the waters : they come to the cisterns , and find no water ; they return with their vessels empty ; they are put to shame and confounded , and cover their heads . 4Because of the ground which is cracked , for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame, they cover their heads . 5Yea , the hind also in the field calveth, and forsaketh her young , because there is no grass . 6And the wild asses stand on the bare heights , they pant for air like jackals ; their eyes fail , because there is no herbage.
The People's Plea for Mercy
7Though our iniquities testify against us , work thou for thy name ’s sake , O Jehovah ; for our backslidings are many ; we have sinned against thee . 8O thou hope of Israel , the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble , why shouldest thou be as a sojourner in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night ? 9Why shouldest thou be as a man affrighted, as a mighty man that cannot save ? Yet thou , O Jehovah , art in the midst of us , and we are called by thy name ; leave us not .
God's Response to the Plea
10Thus saith Jehovah unto this people , Even so have they loved to wander ; they have not refrained their feet : therefore Jehovah doth not accept them ; now will he remember their iniquity , and visit their sins . 11And Jehovah said unto me , Pray not for this people for their good . 12When they fast , I will not hear their cry ; and when they offer burnt-offering and meal-offering, I will not accept them ; but I will consume them by the sword , and by the famine , and by the pestilence .
The Prophets and Their False Messages
13Then said I , Ah, Lord Jehovah ! behold , the prophets say unto them , Ye shall not see the sword , neither shall ye have famine ; but I will give you assured peace in this place . 14Then Jehovah said unto me , The prophets prophesy lies in my name ; I sent them not , neither have I commanded them , neither spake I unto them : they prophesy unto you a lying vision , and divination , and a thing of nought , and the deceit of their own heart . 15Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name , and I sent them not , yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land: By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed . 16And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword ; and they shall have none to bury them — them , their wives, nor their sons , nor their daughters : for I will pour their wickedness upon them .
The Certainty of Judgment
17And thou shalt say this word unto them , Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day , and let them not cease ; for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach , with a very grievous wound . 18If I go forth into the field , then , behold , the slain with the sword ! and if I enter into the city , then , behold , they that are sick with famine ! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land , and have no knowledge . 19Hast thou utterly rejected Judah ? hath thy soul loathed Zion ? why hast thou smitten us , and there is no healing for us ? We looked for peace , but no good came ; and for a time of healing , and , behold , dismay! 20We acknowledge , O Jehovah , our wickedness , and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against thee. 21Do not abhor us , for thy name ’s sake ; do not disgrace the throne of thy glory : remember , break not thy covenant with us . 22Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain ? or can the heavens give showers ? art not thou he , O Jehovah our God ? therefore we will wait for thee ; for thou hast made all these things .