Jeremiah 14

1The word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah concerning the matters of the droughts.

2Judah laments, her gates grow feeble; they darken toward the earth, and the cry of Jerusalem rises.

3Their nobles sent their little ones to the waters; they came to the cisterns and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; ashamed and humiliated, they covered their heads.

4Because the ground lies dismayed, for no rain fell in the land, the plowmen stand ashamed, covering their heads.

5Even the doe gives birth in the field and forsakes her young, because there was no grass.

6Wild donkeys stood on the rocky heights, sniffing the wind like jackals; their eyes failed because there was no grass.

7Though our iniquities accuse us, act for your name's sake, Yahweh; for our turnings away against you have multiplied—we have sinned.

8Hope of Israel, its deliverer in time of distress, why will you be like a sojourner in the land, and like a traveler who turns aside to lodge?

9Why are you like a dumbfounded man, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, Yahweh, are among us, and your name is called upon us; do not abandon us.

10Thus says Yahweh to this people: Thus have they loved to wander; they have not held back their feet; therefore Yahweh does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.

11Yahweh said to me, "Do not pray for this people's good."

12When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer up a burnt offering and a grain offering, I will not accept them, for by sword and famine and pestilence I will consume them.

13I said, "Alas, Lord Yahweh! See, the prophets tell them, 'You will not see the sword or famine; it will not come upon you, for I will give you true peace in this place.'"

14Yahweh said to me, "The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I did not send them, nor command them, nor speak to them—they prophesy to you a lying vision, divination, worthlessness, idols, delusion, and deceit of their heart."

15Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, whom I did not send, but they declare, "Sword and famine will not come to this land"; sword and famine will consume those prophets.

16The people to whom they prophesy will be hurled into Jerusalem's streets because of the famine and the sword, with none to bury them—themselves, their wives, their sons, their daughters—for I will pour their evil out on them.

17You shall say to them this word: Let tears stream from my eyes night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people lies broken by a great fracture, struck with a very grievous wound.

18If I go out to the field, behold the slain by the sword; and if I enter the city, behold those sick with famine—for even prophet and priest go about to a land they do not know.

19Have you completely rejected Judah? Has your soul abhorred Zion? Why have you beaten us, when there is no remedy for us? We waited for peace, but nothing good came; for a season of healing, but look—distress!

20We acknowledge, Yahweh, our wickedness and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.

21Do not spurn us for your name's sake; do not dishonor the throne of your glory; remember, do not break your covenant with us.

22Are there any among the nations' vain idols that bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, Yahweh our God? We will wait for you, for you have made all these things.