Jeremiah 19-21
19 This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter.(A) Take along some of the elders(B) of the people and of the priests 2 and go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom,(C) near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. There proclaim the words I tell you, 3 and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings(D) of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster(E) on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.(F) 4 For they have forsaken(G) me and made this a place of foreign gods(H); they have burned incense(I) in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.(J) 5 They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children(K) in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind.(L) 6 So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call this place Topheth(M) or the Valley of Ben Hinnom,(N) but the Valley of Slaughter.(O)
7 “‘In this place I will ruin[a] the plans(P) of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies,(Q) at the hands of those who want to kill them, and I will give their carcasses(R) as food(S) to the birds and the wild animals. 8 I will devastate this city and make it an object of horror and scorn;(T) all who pass by will be appalled(U) and will scoff because of all its wounds.(V) 9 I will make them eat(W) the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh because their enemies(X) will press the siege so hard against them to destroy them.’
10 “Then break the jar(Y) while those who go with you are watching, 11 and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I will smash(Z) this nation and this city just as this potter’s jar is smashed and cannot be repaired. They will bury(AA) the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. 12 This is what I will do to this place and to those who live here, declares the Lord. I will make this city like Topheth. 13 The houses(AB) in Jerusalem and those of the kings of Judah will be defiled(AC) like this place, Topheth—all the houses where they burned incense on the roofs(AD) to all the starry hosts(AE) and poured out drink offerings(AF) to other gods.’”
14 Jeremiah then returned from Topheth, where the Lord had sent him to prophesy, and stood in the court(AG) of the Lord’s temple and said to all the people, 15 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on this city and all the villages around it every disaster(AH) I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked(AI) and would not listen(AJ) to my words.’”
Jeremiah and Pashhur
20 When the priest Pashhur son of Immer,(AK) the official(AL) in charge of the temple of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, 2 he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten(AM) and put in the stocks(AN) at the Upper Gate of Benjamin(AO) at the Lord’s temple. 3 The next day, when Pashhur released him from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, “The Lord’s name(AP) for you is not Pashhur, but Terror on Every Side.(AQ) 4 For this is what the Lord says: ‘I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; with your own eyes(AR) you will see them fall by the sword of their enemies. I will give(AS) all Judah into the hands of the king of Babylon, who will carry(AT) them away to Babylon or put them to the sword. 5 I will deliver all the wealth(AU) of this city into the hands of their enemies—all its products, all its valuables and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. They will take it away(AV) as plunder and carry it off to Babylon. 6 And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied(AW) lies.’”
Jeremiah’s Complaint
7 You deceived[b](AX) me, Lord, and I was deceived[c];
you overpowered(AY) me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed(AZ) all day long;
everyone mocks(BA) me.
8 Whenever I speak, I cry out
proclaiming violence and destruction.(BB)
So the word of the Lord has brought me
insult and reproach(BC) all day long.
9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,”(BD)
his word is in my heart like a fire,(BE)
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;(BF)
indeed, I cannot.
10 I hear many whispering,
“Terror(BG) on every side!
Denounce(BH) him! Let’s denounce him!”
All my friends(BI)
are waiting for me to slip,(BJ) saying,
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
then we will prevail(BK) over him
and take our revenge(BL) on him.”
11 But the Lord(BM) is with me like a mighty warrior;
so my persecutors(BN) will stumble and not prevail.(BO)
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;(BP)
their dishonor will never be forgotten.
12 Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous
and probe the heart and mind,(BQ)
let me see your vengeance(BR) on them,
for to you I have committed(BS) my cause.
13 Sing(BT) to the Lord!
Give praise to the Lord!
He rescues(BU) the life of the needy
from the hands of the wicked.(BV)
14 Cursed be the day I was born!(BW)
May the day my mother bore me not be blessed!
15 Cursed be the man who brought my father the news,
who made him very glad, saying,
“A child is born to you—a son!”
16 May that man be like the towns(BX)
the Lord overthrew without pity.
May he hear wailing(BY) in the morning,
a battle cry at noon.
17 For he did not kill me in the womb,(BZ)
with my mother as my grave,
her womb enlarged forever.
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb(CA)
to see trouble(CB) and sorrow
and to end my days in shame?(CC)
God Rejects Zedekiah’s Request
21 The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah(CD) sent to him Pashhur(CE) son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah(CF) son of Maaseiah. They said: 2 “Inquire(CG) now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar[d](CH) king of Babylon(CI) is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders(CJ) for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”
3 But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah, 4 ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn(CK) against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians[e] who are outside the wall besieging(CL) you. And I will gather them inside this city. 5 I myself will fight(CM) against you with an outstretched hand(CN) and a mighty arm(CO) in furious anger and in great wrath. 6 I will strike(CP) down those who live in this city—both man and beast—and they will die of a terrible plague.(CQ) 7 After that, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah(CR) king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague,(CS) sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon(CT) and to their enemies(CU) who want to kill them.(CV) He will put them to the sword;(CW) he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’(CX)
8 “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life(CY) and the way of death. 9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague.(CZ) But whoever goes out and surrenders(DA) to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.(DB) 10 I have determined to do this city harm(DC) and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands(DD) of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’(DE)
11 “Moreover, say to the royal house(DF) of Judah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord. 12 This is what the Lord says to you, house of David:
“‘Administer justice(DG) every morning;
rescue from the hand of the oppressor(DH)
the one who has been robbed,
or my wrath will break out and burn like fire(DI)
because of the evil(DJ) you have done—
burn with no one to quench(DK) it.
13 I am against(DL) you, Jerusalem,
you who live above this valley(DM)
on the rocky plateau, declares the Lord—
you who say, “Who can come against us?
Who can enter our refuge?”(DN)
14 I will punish you as your deeds(DO) deserve,
declares the Lord.
I will kindle a fire(DP) in your forests(DQ)
that will consume everything around you.’”
Footnotes:
- Jeremiah 19:7 The Hebrew for ruin sounds like the Hebrew for jar (see verses 1 and 10).
- Jeremiah 20:7 Or persuaded
- Jeremiah 20:7 Or persuaded
- Jeremiah 21:2 Hebrew Nebuchadrezzar, of which Nebuchadnezzar is a variant; here and often in Jeremiah and Ezekiel
- Jeremiah 21:4 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 9
Cross references:
- Jeremiah 19:1 : Jer 18:2
- Jeremiah 19:1 : S Nu 11:17; 1Ki 8:1
- Jeremiah 19:2 : S Jos 15:8
- Jeremiah 19:3 : Jer 17:20
- Jeremiah 19:3 : S Jer 6:19
- Jeremiah 19:3 : S 1Sa 3:11
- Jeremiah 19:4 : S Dt 31:16; Dt 28:20; S Isa 65:11
- Jeremiah 19:4 : S Ex 20:3; S Jer 1:16
- Jeremiah 19:4 : S Lev 18:21
- Jeremiah 19:4 : S 2Ki 21:16
- Jeremiah 19:5 : S Lev 18:21; S 2Ki 3:27; Ps 106:37-38
- Jeremiah 19:5 : S Jer 7:31; Eze 16:36
- Jeremiah 19:6 : S 2Ki 23:10
- Jeremiah 19:6 : S Jos 15:8
- Jeremiah 19:6 : Jer 7:32
- Jeremiah 19:7 : Ps 33:10-11
- Jeremiah 19:7 : S ver 9; S Lev 26:17; S Dt 28:25
- Jeremiah 19:7 : S Jer 16:4; 34:20
- Jeremiah 19:7 : S Dt 28:26
- Jeremiah 19:8 : S Dt 28:37; S Jer 18:16; 25:9
- Jeremiah 19:8 : S Lev 26:32; La 2:15-16
- Jeremiah 19:8 : S Dt 29:22
- Jeremiah 19:9 : S Lev 26:29; Dt 28:49-57; La 4:10
- Jeremiah 19:9 : S ver 7; Jer 21:7; 34:20
- Jeremiah 19:10 : ver 1; S Ps 2:9; Jer 13:14
- Jeremiah 19:11 : Ps 2:9; Isa 30:14
- Jeremiah 19:11 : Jer 7:32
- Jeremiah 19:13 : Jer 32:29; 52:13; Eze 16:41
- Jeremiah 19:13 : Ps 74:7
- Jeremiah 19:13 : S 2Ki 23:12
- Jeremiah 19:13 : Dt 4:19; S 2Ki 17:16; S Job 38:32; Jer 8:2; Ac 7:42
- Jeremiah 19:13 : S Isa 57:6; Eze 20:28
- Jeremiah 19:14 : 2Ch 20:5; S Jer 7:2; 26:2
- Jeremiah 19:15 : ver 3; Jer 11:11
- Jeremiah 19:15 : S Ne 9:16; Ac 7:51
- Jeremiah 19:15 : Jer 22:21
- Jeremiah 20:1 : S 1Ch 24:14
- Jeremiah 20:1 : 2Ki 25:18; Lk 22:52
- Jeremiah 20:2 : Dt 25:2-3; S Jer 1:19; 15:15; 37:15; 2Co 11:24
- Jeremiah 20:2 : S Job 13:27; Jer 29:26; Ac 16:24; Heb 11:36
- Jeremiah 20:2 : S Job 29:7; Jer 37:13; 38:7; Zec 14:10
- Jeremiah 20:3 : Hos 1:4
- Jeremiah 20:3 : S ver 10; S Ps 31:13
- Jeremiah 20:4 : Jer 29:21
- Jeremiah 20:4 : Jer 21:10; 25:9
- Jeremiah 20:4 : Jer 13:19; 39:9; 52:27
- Jeremiah 20:5 : S 2Ki 25:15; Jer 17:3
- Jeremiah 20:5 : S 2Ki 20:17
- Jeremiah 20:6 : S Jer 14:15; La 2:14
- Jeremiah 20:7 : S Ex 5:23; 22:16
- Jeremiah 20:7 : Isa 8:11; Am 3:8; 1Co 9:16
- Jeremiah 20:7 : Job 12:4
- Jeremiah 20:7 : S Job 17:2; S Ps 119:21
- Jeremiah 20:8 : Jer 6:7; 28:8
- Jeremiah 20:8 : S 2Ch 36:16; S Jer 6:10
- Jeremiah 20:9 : Jer 44:16
- Jeremiah 20:9 : S Ps 39:3; S Jer 4:19
- Jeremiah 20:9 : S Job 4:2; S Jer 6:11; Am 3:8; Ac 4:20
- Jeremiah 20:10 : Jer 6:25
- Jeremiah 20:10 : Ne 6:6-13; Isa 29:21
- Jeremiah 20:10 : S Job 19:14; S Jer 13:21
- Jeremiah 20:10 : S Ps 57:4; S Jer 18:22; Lk 11:53-54
- Jeremiah 20:10 : S 1Ki 19:2
- Jeremiah 20:10 : S 1Sa 18:25; S Jer 11:19
- Jeremiah 20:11 : Jer 1:8; Ro 8:31
- Jeremiah 20:11 : Jer 15:15; 17:18
- Jeremiah 20:11 : S Ps 129:2
- Jeremiah 20:11 : S Jer 7:19; 23:40
- Jeremiah 20:12 : S Ps 7:9; S Jer 17:10
- Jeremiah 20:12 : Dt 32:35; S Ro 12:19
- Jeremiah 20:12 : Ps 62:8; Jer 11:20
- Jeremiah 20:13 : S Isa 12:6
- Jeremiah 20:13 : Ps 34:6; 35:10
- Jeremiah 20:13 : S Ps 97:10
- Jeremiah 20:14 : S Job 3:8, 16; Jer 15:10
- Jeremiah 20:16 : S Ge 19:25
- Jeremiah 20:16 : S Jer 6:26
- Jeremiah 20:17 : S Job 3:16; S 10:18-19
- Jeremiah 20:18 : S Job 3:10-11; S Ecc 4:2
- Jeremiah 20:18 : S Ge 3:17; S Job 5:7
- Jeremiah 20:18 : S 1Ki 19:4; Ps 90:9; 102:3
- Jeremiah 21:1 : 2Ki 24:18; Jer 52:1
- Jeremiah 21:1 : S 1Ch 9:12
- Jeremiah 21:1 : S 2Ki 25:18
- Jeremiah 21:2 : S Ge 25:22; S 2Ki 22:18
- Jeremiah 21:2 : S 2Ki 25:1
- Jeremiah 21:2 : S Ge 10:10
- Jeremiah 21:2 : Ps 44:1-4; Jer 32:17
- Jeremiah 21:4 : Jer 32:5
- Jeremiah 21:4 : Jer 37:8-10
- Jeremiah 21:5 : S Jos 10:14; Eze 5:8
- Jeremiah 21:5 : S 2Ki 22:13; S Jer 6:12
- Jeremiah 21:5 : S Ex 3:20
- Jeremiah 21:6 : S Jer 7:20
- Jeremiah 21:6 : S Jer 14:12
- Jeremiah 21:7 : S 2Ki 25:7; Jer 52:9; Eze 12:14
- Jeremiah 21:7 : Jer 14:12; 27:8
- Jeremiah 21:7 : S 2Ch 36:10; Jer 27:6; 32:4; 34:3; 37:17; 38:18; 39:5; Eze 29:19
- Jeremiah 21:7 : S Lev 26:17; S Jer 19:9
- Jeremiah 21:7 : S Jer 11:21
- Jeremiah 21:7 : S Jer 15:9
- Jeremiah 21:7 : S 2Ch 36:17; S Jer 15:5; Eze 7:9; Hab 1:6
- Jeremiah 21:8 : S Dt 30:15
- Jeremiah 21:9 : Jer 14:12; Eze 5:12
- Jeremiah 21:9 : Jer 27:11; 40:9
- Jeremiah 21:9 : Jer 27:12; 38:2, 17; 39:18; 45:5
- Jeremiah 21:10 : Jer 44:11, 27; Am 9:4
- Jeremiah 21:10 : S Jer 20:4; 32:28; 38:2-3
- Jeremiah 21:10 : S 2Ki 25:9; S 2Ch 36:19
- Jeremiah 21:11 : S Jer 13:18
- Jeremiah 21:12 : S Ex 22:22; S Lev 25:17
- Jeremiah 21:12 : S Ps 27:11
- Jeremiah 21:12 : S Isa 42:25; S Jer 10:10
- Jeremiah 21:12 : Jer 23:2
- Jeremiah 21:12 : S Isa 1:31
- Jeremiah 21:13 : Jer 23:30; 50:31; 51:25; Eze 5:8; 13:8; 21:3; 29:10; 34:10; Na 2:13; 3:5
- Jeremiah 21:13 : Ps 125:2
- Jeremiah 21:13 : 2Sa 5:6-7; Jer 49:4; La 4:12; Ob 1:3-4
- Jeremiah 21:14 : S Pr 1:31; S Isa 3:10-11; S Jer 17:10
- Jeremiah 21:14 : S 2Ch 36:19; La 2:3
- Jeremiah 21:14 : S 2Ki 19:23; Eze 20:47
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-28
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness(A) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.(B) 5 You are all children of the light(C) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,(D) but let us be awake(E) and sober.(F) 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.(G) 8 But since we belong to the day,(H) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,(I) and the hope of salvation(J) as a helmet.(K) 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath(L) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.(M) 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.(N) 11 Therefore encourage one another(O) and build each other up,(P) just as in fact you are doing.
Final Instructions
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(Q) among you, who care for you in the Lord(R) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(S) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(T) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(U) be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,(V) but always strive to do what is good for each other(W) and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always,(X) 17 pray continually,(Y) 18 give thanks in all circumstances;(Z) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.(AA) 20 Do not treat prophecies(AB) with contempt 21 but test them all;(AC) hold on to what is good,(AD) 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace,(AE) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul(AF) and body be kept blameless(AG) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(AH) 24 The one who calls(AI) you is faithful,(AJ) and he will do it.(AK)
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.(AL) 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.(AM) 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.(AN)
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.(AO)
Cross references:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4 : S Ac 26:18; 1Jn 2:8
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4 : ver 2
- 1 Thessalonians 5:5 : S Lk 16:8
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 : Ro 13:11
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 : S Mt 25:13
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 : S Ac 24:25
- 1 Thessalonians 5:7 : Ac 2:15; Ro 13:13; 2Pe 2:13
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 : ver 5
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 : S Eph 6:14
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 : Ro 8:24
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 : Isa 59:17; Eph 6:17
- 1 Thessalonians 5:9 : 1Th 1:10
- 1 Thessalonians 5:9 : 2Th 2:13, 14
- 1 Thessalonians 5:10 : Ro 14:9; 2Co 5:15
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 : 1Th 4:18
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 : Eph 4:29
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 : Ro 16:6, 12; 1Co 15:10
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 : 1Ti 5:17; Heb 13:17
- 1 Thessalonians 5:13 : S Mk 9:50
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 : 2Th 3:6, 7, 11
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 : Ro 14:1; 1Co 8:7-12
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 : Ro 12:17; 1Pe 3:9
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 : Eph 4:32
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 : Php 4:4
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 : S Lk 18:1
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 : S Eph 5:20
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19 : Eph 4:30
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20 : 1Co 14:1-40
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 : 1Co 14:29; 1Jn 4:1
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 : Ro 12:9
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 : S Ro 15:33
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 : Heb 4:12
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 : S 1Th 3:13
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 : S 1Th 2:19
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 : S Ro 8:28
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 : S 1Co 1:9
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 : Nu 23:19; Php 1:6
- 1 Thessalonians 5:25 : Eph 6:19; Col 4:3; 2Th 3:1; Heb 13:18
- 1 Thessalonians 5:26 : S Ro 16:16
- 1 Thessalonians 5:27 : 2Th 3:14; S 1Ti 4:13
- 1 Thessalonians 5:28 : S Ro 16:20
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalm 82
Psalm 82
A psalm of Asaph.
2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality(C) to the wicked?[b](D)
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;(E)
uphold the cause of the poor(F) and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.(G)
They walk about in darkness;(H)
all the foundations(I) of the earth are shaken.
6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”;(J)
you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die(K) like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”
Footnotes:
- Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural.
- Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Cross references:
- Psalm 82:1 : Ps 7:8; 58:11; Isa 3:13; 66:16; Joel 3:12
- Psalm 82:1 : S Job 21:22
- Psalm 82:2 : Dt 1:17
- Psalm 82:2 : Ps 58:1-2; Pr 18:5
- Psalm 82:3 : S Dt 24:17
- Psalm 82:3 : Ps 140:12; Jer 5:28; 22:16
- Psalm 82:5 : S Ps 14:4; S 53:2
- Psalm 82:5 : Job 30:26; Isa 5:30; 8:21-22; 9:2; 59:9; 60:2; Jer 13:16; 23:12; La 3:2
- Psalm 82:5 : S Jdg 5:4; S Ps 11:3
- Psalm 82:6 : Jn 10:34*
- Psalm 82:7 : Ps 49:12; Eze 31:14
- Psalm 82:8 : Ps 12:5
- Psalm 82:8 : S Ps 76:9
- Psalm 82:8 : Ps 2:8
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Proverbs 25:9-10
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.