¹⁸ They said, “Come, let’s make plans^(A) against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest^(B) will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise,^(C) nor the word from the prophets.^(D) So come, let’s attack him with our tongues^(E) and pay no attention to anything he says.”

⁷ “For the lips of a priest^(A) ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger^(B) of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.^(C)

¹⁹ I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter;^(A) I did not realize that they had plotted^(B) against me, saying,

¹¹ “Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look! I am preparing a disaster^(A) for you and devising a plan^(B) against you. So turn^(C) from your evil ways,^(D) each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.’^(E)

Human Plans and God’s Plans

³ Therefore, the Lord says:

² Azariah son of Hoshaiah^(A) and Johanan^(B) son of Kareah and all the arrogant^(C) men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying!^(D) The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’^(E)

¹³ then tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to fill with drunkenness^(A) all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ I will smash them one against the other, parents and children alike, declares the Lord. I will allow no pity^(B) or mercy or compassion^(C) to keep me from destroying^(D) them.’”