Jeremiah 15
1 The LORD said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me, I would not turn toward this people. Send them away from my presence, and let them go.
2 When they say to you, ‘Where shall we go?’, you will tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says: «Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.
3 I will appoint four kinds of punishment for them,” declares the LORD: “the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth to devour and destroy.
4 I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and what he did in Jerusalem.»’”
5 Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will mourn for you? Who will turn aside from the road to ask how you are?
6 You have abandoned me,” declares the LORD. “You keep turning back. So I stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you; I am tired of showing compassion.
7 I scattered them with a winnowing shovel at the gates of the land. I bereaved and destroyed my people, but they did not turn back from their ways.
8 Their widows became more numerous to me than the sand of the seas. I brought a destroyer against them at noon, against the mother of the young men; I made terror and sudden ruin fall upon her.
9 She who bore seven children grew weak; she breathed her last. Her sun set while it was still day. She was ashamed and humiliated. I will hand over their remnant to the sword before their enemies,” declares the LORD.
10 Woe to me, my mother, for you gave birth to me, a man of strife and contention for the whole land! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.
11 The LORD said, “Surely I have released you for good; surely I have made the enemy plead with you in a time of disaster and distress.”
12 Can iron break iron from the north, or bronze?
13 I will give your wealth and treasures as plunder, without price, because of all your sins throughout your territory.
14 I will make your enemies pass into a land you do not know, for a fire has been kindled in my anger, and it will burn against you.
15 You know, LORD. Remember me and care for me; take vengeance for me on those who pursue me. Do not take me away in your patience. Know that for your sake I bear disgrace.
16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your word became my joy and the delight of my heart, for your name was called upon me, LORD God of Armies.
17 I did not sit in the company of those who make merry, nor did I rejoice. Because of your hand, I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why does my pain have no end, and my wound prove incurable, refusing to heal? Will you really be to me like a deceptive stream, like waters that cannot be trusted?
19 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you, and you will stand before me. If you separate what is precious from what is worthless, you will be like my mouth. They will return to you, but you will not return to them.
20 I will make you a fortified wall of bronze for this people. They will fight against you, but they will not prevail, for I am with you to save you and rescue you,” declares the LORD.
21 I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
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