Jeremiah’s Prayer

¹⁶ “After I had given the deed of purchase to Neriah’s son Baruch, I prayed to the Lord: ¹⁷ ‘Lord! Look, you made the heavens and the earth with your great power and your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you! ¹⁸ You, the great God, the mighty one, show gracious love to thousands and repay the parents’ iniquity to their children after them. The Lord of the Heavenly Armies is his name. ¹⁹ You are^[a] great in regards to your purposes and mighty in regards to your works. Your eyes are open to everything that people do, and will reward each one according to their ways and just as their actions deserve.^{[b] 20} You are the one who performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt and continue to do so^[c] until this day, both in Israel and among the rest of humanity. You made a reputation for yourself that continues to this day.^{[d] 21} By your strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror, you brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders. ²² And you gave them this land which you had promised their ancestors that you would give them—a land flowing with milk and honey. ²³ They came and took possession of it, but they didn’t obey you or walk according to your Law.^[e] They didn’t do what you commanded them to do, so you caused all this calamity to happen to them. ²⁴ Look, the siege ramps have reached the city to take it. Because of the sword, famine, and plague, the city has been given over to the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you said has happened, and you are watching it occur!^{[f] 25} Lord, you have told me, “Buy the field for yourself with money and call in witnesses,^[g]” even though the city is being given over to the Chaldeans.’”