Jeremiah 14

1This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah concerning the droughts:

2Judah mourns, and her gates languish; they sit in black on the ground, and the cry of Jerusalem goes up.

3Their nobles send their servants for water; they come to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars empty; they are ashamed and humiliated, and they cover their heads.

4Because the ground is cracked, since there has been no rain in the land, the farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.

5Even the doe in the field gives birth and abandons her fawn, because there is no grass.

6Wild donkeys stand on the bare heights and pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail because there is no vegetation.

7Though our iniquities testify against us, Yahweh, act for the sake of your name. For our acts of unfaithfulness are many; we have sinned against you.

8Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of trouble, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to spend the night?

9Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior who cannot save? Yet you are in our midst, Yahweh, and we are called by your name. Do not abandon us!

10This is what Yahweh says about this people: They truly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So Yahweh does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.

11Then Yahweh said to me, “Do not pray for the good of this people.

12When they fast, I will not listen to their cry, and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword, by famine, and by plague.”

13Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Look, the prophets are telling them, ‘You will not see the sword, and you will not have famine; I will give you true peace in this place.’”

14Yahweh said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them or command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, worthless things, and the deceit of their own hearts.

15Therefore this is what Yahweh says about the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine will not come on this land’: By sword and famine those prophets will meet their end.

16And the people to whom they are prophesying will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of famine and sword, with no one to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. I will pour out on them their own wickedness.

17You are to say this word to them: Let my eyes run with tears night and day, and let them not stop, for the virgin daughter of my people has been struck with a crushing blow, a very grievous wound.

18If I go out into the field, I see those slain by the sword! If I enter the city, I see those sick with famine! For both prophet and priest wander off to a land they do not know.”

19Have you utterly rejected Judah? Do you loathe Zion? Why have you struck us so that there is no healing for us? We hoped for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but there is only terror.

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

21For the sake of your name do not reject us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us, and do not break it.

22Can any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Can the heavens themselves give showers? Is it not you, Yahweh our God? So we hope in you, for you are the one who does all these things.