Drought, Famine, Sword, and Plague

1The word of YHWH that came to Jeremiah concerning the droughts:

2“Judah mourns,

and her gates languish;

they mourn for the land,

and the cry of Jerusalem has gone up.

3And their nobles have sent their young for water;

they went to the cisterns, they did not find water.

They returned with their vessels empty;

they were ashamed and humiliated,

and they covered their heads.

4Because the ground is parched,

for there was no rain in the land,

the plowmen were ashamed;

they covered their heads.

5Indeed, even the doe in the field has brought forth—

to forsake it because there is no grass.

6And the wild donkeys stand on the barren heights;

they pant for the wind like jackals,†

and their eyes fail because there is no grass.”

7Though our iniquities testify against us, O YHWH,

may You act for the sake of Your name!

For many are our backslidings;

we have sinned against You.

8O Hope of Israel,

his Savior in time of distress,

why should You be like a sojourner in the land,

and like a traveler who stretches aside to spend the night.

9Why should You be like a man astonished,

like a mighty one not able to save?

And You are in our midst, O YHWH,

and we are called by Your name;

do not leave us.

10Thus says YHWH to this people:

“Thus have they loved to wander,

they have not held back their feet,

and YHWH has not accepted them;

now He will remember their iniquity

and punish them for their sins.”

11And YHWH said to me: “Do not pray for this people for the good. 12When they fast, I will not hear to their cry; and when they bring up a burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them—but by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence I will put an end to them!

13And I said “Ah, Lord YHWH!” Behold, the prophets are saying to them, ‘You⁺ will not see the sword, and there shall be no famine for you⁺; but I will give to you⁺ assured peace in this place.’”

14And YHWH said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name.” I have not sent them, and I have not commanded them, and not I have spoken to them. They are prophesying to you⁺ a false vision and divination, and worthlessness, and the deceit of their heart.

15Therefore, thus says YHWH concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, “When I did not send them, and they say, ‘Sword and famine will not be in this land.’

By sword and by famine those prophets will meet their end! 16And the people whom they prophesy to them will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword, and no one will bury them—they and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters; and I will pour their wickedness on them.

17And you shall speak to them this word:

‘Let my eyes run down with tears

night and day, and do not let them cease!

For the virgin daughter of my people

has been wounded with a mighy breach,

with a serious blow.

18If I go out to the field,

and behold—those slain by the sword!

And if I come into the city,

and behold—those sick from famine!

How both prophet and priest go about in the land,

and they do not know!’”

A Prayer for Mercy
(Isaiah 63:15–19)

19Have you completely rejected Judah?

Or has Your soul abhorred Zion?

Why did You strike us

and there is no healing for us?

We looked for peace,

and there was no good;

and for the time of healing,

and there was terror!

20We acknowledge, O YHWH, our wickedness,

and the iniquity of our fathers;

for we have sinned against You.

21For the sake of Your name do not spurn us,

do not disgrace the throne of Your glory!

Remember, do not break

Your covenant with us.

22Are there any among the idols of the nations able to bring rain?

Or can the heavens give showers?

Are You not He, O YHWH our God?

And we shall wait for You,

since You make all these things.