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The Coming Destruction Calls For Mourning

10 I said,[a]

“I will weep and mourn[b] for the grasslands on the mountains;[c]
I will sing a mournful song for the pastures in the wilderness
because they are so scorched no one travels through them.
The sound of livestock is no longer heard there.
Even the birds in the sky and the wild animals in the fields
have fled and are gone.”

11 The Lord said,[d]

“I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
Jackals will make their home there.[e]
I will destroy the towns of Judah
so that no one will be able to live in them.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 9:10 tn The words “I said” are not in the text, but there is general agreement that Jeremiah is the speaker. Cf. the lament in 8:18-9:1. These words are supplied in the translation for clarity. Some English versions follow the Greek text which reads a plural imperative here. Since this reading would make the transition between 9:10 and 9:11 easier, it is probably not original but a translator’s way of smoothing over a difficulty.
  2. Jeremiah 9:10 tn Heb “I will lift up weeping and mourning.”
  3. Jeremiah 9:10 tn Heb “for the mountains.” However, the context makes clear that it is the grasslands or pastures on the mountains that are meant. The words “for the grasslands” are supplied in the translation for clarity.
  4. Jeremiah 9:11 tn The words “the Lord said” are not in the text, but it is obvious from the content that he is the speaker. These words are supplied in the translation for clarity.
  5. Jeremiah 9:11 tn Heb “a heap of ruins, a haunt for jackals.”

10 I will weep and wail for the mountains
    and take up a lament concerning the wilderness grasslands.(A)
They are desolate and untraveled,
    and the lowing of cattle is not heard.
The birds(B) have all fled
    and the animals are gone.

11 “I will make Jerusalem a heap(C) of ruins,
    a haunt of jackals;(D)
and I will lay waste the towns of Judah(E)
    so no one can live there.”(F)

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