Add parallel Print Page Options

Jeremiah’s Vision of Coming Disaster

23 I looked at the earth, and it was empty and formless.
    I looked at the heavens, and there was no light.
24 I looked at the mountains and hills,
    and they trembled and shook.
25 I looked, and all the people were gone.
    All the birds of the sky had flown away.
26 I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness.
    The towns lay in ruins,
    crushed by the Lord’s fierce anger.

27 This is what the Lord says:
“The whole land will be ruined,
    but I will not destroy it completely.
28 The earth will mourn
    and the heavens will be draped in black
because of my decree against my people.
    I have made up my mind and will not change it.”

29 At the noise of charioteers and archers,
    the people flee in terror.
They hide in the bushes
    and run for the mountains.
All the towns have been abandoned—
    not a person remains!

Read full chapter

23 I saw on the earth, and behold, it was [a](A)formless and void;
And to the heavens, and they had no light.
24 I saw on the mountains, and behold, they were (B)quaking,
And all the hills [b]moved to and fro.
25 I saw, and behold, there was no man,
And all the (C)birds of the sky had fled.
26 I saw, and behold, [c]the (D)fruitful orchard was a wilderness,
And all its cities were torn down
Before Yahweh, before His burning anger.

27 For thus says Yahweh,

“The (E)whole land shall be a desolation,
Yet I will (F)not execute a complete destruction.
28 For this the (G)earth shall mourn
And the (H)heavens above be dark
Because I have (I)spoken; I have purposed,
And I will not [d]relent, nor will I turn from it.”
29 At the sound of the horseman and bowman (J)every city flees;
They (K)go into the thickets and climb up among the rocks;
(L)Every city is forsaken,
And no man inhabits them.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 4:23 Or a waste and emptiness
  2. Jeremiah 4:24 Lit moved lightly
  3. Jeremiah 4:26 Or Carmel
  4. Jeremiah 4:28 Or regret, cf. 1 Sam 15:11, 29, 3