“1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto
the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. 3 And their nobles have
sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found
no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and
confounded, and covered their heads. 4 Because the ground is chapt, for
there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered
their heads. 5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook [it],
because there was no grass. 6 And the wild asses did stand in the high
places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail,
because [there was] no grass. 7 O LORD, though our iniquities testify
against us, do thou [it] for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are
many; we have sinned against thee. 8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour
thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the
land, and as a wayfaring man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night?
9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man [that] cannot
save? yet thou, O LORD, [art] in the midst of us, and we are called by
thy name; leave us not.”
“10 Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to
wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not
accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for [their]
good. 12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer
burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will
consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. 13
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall
not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you
assured peace in this place. 14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets
prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded
them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and
divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. 15
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in
my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not
be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets
of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have
none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their
daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.”
“17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run
down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin
daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very
grievous blow. 18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain
with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are
sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a
land that they know not. 19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy
soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and [there is] no healing
for us? we looked for peace, and [there is] no good; and for the time of
healing, and behold trouble! 20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness,
[and] the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. 21
Do not abhor [us], for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of
thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us. 22 Are there [any]
among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the
heavens give showers? [art] not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we
will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these [things].” (Jeremiah
14:1-22 AV)