Judah’s Terrible Drought
14 This message came to Jeremiah from the LORD, explaining why he was holding back the rain: 2 “Judah wilts; and a great cry rises from Jerusalem. 3 The nobles send servants to get water, covering their heads in grief. 4 The ground is parched they, too, cover their heads. 5 Even the doe abandons her newborn fawn because there is no grass in the field. 6 The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills but there is none to be found.” 7 The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, LORD, and sinned against you again and again. 8 O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble, stopping only for the night? 9 Are you also confused? Please don’t abandon us now!” 10 So this is what the LORD says to his people: and will punish you for your sins.”
The Forbids Jeremiah to Intercede
11 Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for these people anymore. 12 When they fast, I will pay no attention. When they present their burnt offerings and grain offerings to me, I will not accept them. Instead, I will devour them with war, famine, and disease.” 13 Then I said, “O Sovereign LORD, their prophets are telling them, ‘All is well—no war or famine will come. The LORD will surely send you peace.’” 14 Then the LORD said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts. 15 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I will punish these lying prophets, for they have spoken in my name even though I never sent them. They say that no war or famine will come, but they themselves will die by war and famine! 16 As for the people to whom they prophesy—their bodies will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and war. There will be no one left to bury them. Husbands, wives, sons, and daughters—all will be gone. For I will pour out their own wickedness on them. 17 Now, Jeremiah, say this to them: and lies mortally wounded. 18 If I go out into the fields, but they don’t know what they’re doing.” 19 LORD, have you completely rejected Judah? We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror. 20 LORD, we confess our wickedness We all have sinned against you. 21 For the sake of your reputation, LORD, do not abandon us. and do not break your covenant with us. 22 Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? So we will wait for you to help us.