14 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.