New International Version “If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the LORD. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, New Living Translation “O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. English Standard Version “If you return, O Israel, declares the LORD, to me you should return. If you remove your detestable things from my presence, and do not waver, Berean Standard Bible “If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, Berean Literal Bible “If you would return, O Israel, a declaration of YHWH, to Me you must return!” And if you will put away your abominations from My sight, and no longer waver, King James Bible If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. New King James Version “If you will return, O Israel,” says the LORD, “Return to Me; And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, Then you shall not be moved. New American Standard Bible “If you will return, Israel,” declares the LORD, “Then you should return to Me. And if you will put away your detestable things from My presence, And will not waver, NASB 1995 “If you will return, O Israel,” declares the LORD, “Then you should return to Me. And if you will put away your detested things from My presence, And will not waver, NASB 1977 “ If you will return, O Israel,” declares the LORD, “Then you should return to Me. And if you will put away your detested things from My presence, And will not waver, Legacy Standard Bible “If you will return, O Israel,” declares Yahweh, “Then you should return to Me. And if you will put away your detested things from My presence And will not waver Amplified Bible “If you will return, O Israel,” says the LORD, “If you will return to Me, And if you will put away your detestable things and remove your man-made gods from My sight, And not stray or waver, Berean Annotated Bible “If you will return, O Israel (he wrestles with God), return to Me, declares the LORD {YHWH}. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, Christian Standard Bible If you return, Israel — this is the LORD’s declaration — you will return to me, if you remove your abhorrent idols from my presence and do not waver, Holman Christian Standard Bible If you return, Israel— this is the LORD’s declaration— you will return to Me, if you remove your detestable idols from My presence and do not waver, American Standard Version If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith Jehovah, if thou wilt return unto me, and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight; then shalt thou not be removed; Contemporary English Version The LORD said: Israel, if you really want to come back to me, get rid of those disgusting idols. English Revised Version If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, unto me shalt thou return: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not be removed; GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD declares, "If you come back, Israel, if you come back to me, if you take your disgusting idols out of my sight and you don't wander away from me, Good News Translation The LORD says, "People of Israel, if you want to turn, then turn back to me. If you are faithful to me and remove the idols I hate, International Standard Version "Israel, if you return to me," declares the LORD, "Return to me, remove your detestable idols from my presence, and don't waver. NET Bible "If you, Israel, want to come back," says the LORD, "if you want to come back to me you must get those disgusting idols out of my sight and must no longer go astray. New Heart English Bible "If you will return, Israel," says the LORD, "if you will return to me, and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight; then you shall not be removed; Webster's Bible Translation If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return to me: and if thou wilt put away thy abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, World English Bible “If you will return, Israel,” says Yahweh, “if you will return to me, and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight; then you will not be removed; Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“If you return, O Israel,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “Return to Me, "" And if you turn aside Your abominations from My face, "" Then you do not bemoan. Berean Literal Bible “If you would return, O Israel, a declaration of YHWH, to Me you must return!” And if you will put away your abominations from My sight, and no longer waver, Young's Literal Translation If thou dost turn back, O Israel, An affirmation of Jehovah, unto Me turn back, And if thou dost turn aside Thine abominations from My face, Then thou dost not bemoan. Smith's Literal Translation If thou wilt turn back, O Israel, says Jehovah; thou shalt turn back to me: and if thou wilt remove thine abominations from my face thou shalt not be moved. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return to me: if thou wilt take away thy stumblingblocks out of my sight, thou shalt not be moved. Catholic Public Domain Version “O Israel, if you would return, says the Lord, then be converted to me. If you remove your offense from before my face, then you will not be shaken. New American Bible If you return, Israel—oracle of the LORD— return to me. If you put your detestable things out of my sight, and do not stray, New Revised Standard Version If you return, O Israel, says the LORD, if you return to me, if you remove your abominations from my presence, and do not waver, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIF you will repent, O Israel, says the LORD, return to me; and if you will put away your abominations from my presence, then you shall not be carried away. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If you will turn, oh Israel, says LORD JEHOVAH, you shall turn to me, and if you will remove your detestable things from before me, you will not be moved OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If thou wilt return, O Israel, Saith the LORD, Yea, return unto Me; And if thou wilt put away thy detestable things out of My sight, And wilt not waver; Brenton Septuagint Translation If Israel will return to me, saith the Lord, he shall return: and if he will remove his abominations out of his mouth, and fear before me, and swear, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context God Calls Israel by His Promise1“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, 2and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”… Cross References “If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” Malachi 3:7 Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’ Zechariah 1:3 So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’ Hosea 14:1-2 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips. declares the LORD. Jeremiah 3:12 Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ Ezekiel 18:30-32 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your abominations. Ezekiel 11:18 When they return to it, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations. Deuteronomy 7:25-26 You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God. / And you must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction. and no longer waver, 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. James 1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Psalm 119:113 The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love. Joel 2:12-13 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. Deuteronomy 30:1-3 “When all these things come upon you—the blessings and curses I have set before you—and you call them to mind in all the nations to which the LORD your God has banished you, / and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey His voice with all your heart and all your soul according to everything I am giving you today, / then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you. 2 Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Treasury of Scripture If you will return, O Israel, said the LORD, return to me: and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight, then shall you not remove. wilt return Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. Jeremiah 3:12,22 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever… return Jeremiah 3:1,14 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD… Isaiah 31:6 Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. Hosea 7:16 They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt. put away Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: Deuteronomy 27:15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen. Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. then shalt Jeremiah 15:4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem. Jeremiah 22:3-5 Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place… Jeremiah 24:9 And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. Jump to Previous Abominations Affirmation Declares Detestable Detested Disgusting Face Idols Israel Longer Presence Remove Removed Sight Turn Wanderer Waver Ways WiltJump to Next Abominations Affirmation Declares Detestable Detested Disgusting Face Idols Israel Longer Presence Remove Removed Sight Turn Wanderer Waver Ways WiltJeremiah 4 1. God calls Israel by his promise3. He exhorts Judah to repentance by fearful judgments 19. A grievous lamentation for Judah “If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” God offers restoration to Judah on the condition of genuine repentance. Israel’s return must be directed to the Lord Himself, not merely to outward religious practice or political reform. The covenant people had turned from Him through persistent disobedience and idolatry. Mal 3:7 Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away… declares the LORD. The message carries God’s own authority. Jeremiah speaks as the Lord’s messenger, announcing both the seriousness of Judah’s sin and the possibility of mercy. Jer 3:12 Go, proclaim this message toward the north:… “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight Judah’s idols were offensive to the holy God who had forbidden the worship of other gods. Repentance required removing these objects and ending the practices connected with them, rather than attempting to combine worship of the Lord with pagan religion. Ezk 14:6 Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what… and no longer waver, Judah could not remain divided between allegiance to the Lord and devotion to false gods. God required a settled and faithful commitment, not temporary reform followed by a return to idolatry. 1Ki 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said,… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. His ministry spanned over 40 years during a turbulent period in Israel's history. 2. Israel Refers to the Northern Kingdom, but in this context, it can also symbolize the people of God as a whole, including Judah, who are being called to repentance. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who desires a relationship with His people and calls them back to faithfulness. 4. Detestable Idols Represents the false gods and practices that Israel adopted from surrounding nations, which led them away from worshiping the one true God. 5. Repentance The central theme of this verse, emphasizing a return to God and the removal of sin and idolatry from one's life. Teaching Points Call to RepentanceGod’s invitation to return is open to all who have strayed. True repentance involves a heartfelt return to God and a turning away from sin. Idolatry in Modern Times While we may not worship physical idols, anything that takes precedence over God in our lives can become an idol. Reflect on what might be taking God's place in your heart. God’s Unchanging Nature The Lord’s call to return is consistent throughout Scripture, demonstrating His unchanging desire for a relationship with His people. The Importance of Obedience Removing idols and not wavering in faith are acts of obedience that reflect a genuine commitment to God. Restoration and Hope God’s call to return is not just about judgment but also about the hope of restoration and renewed relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 4:1?2. How does Jeremiah 4:1 call us to genuine repentance and return to God? 3. What does "remove your detestable idols" mean for modern believers' lives today? 4. How can we ensure our return to God is wholehearted, as Jeremiah 4:1 suggests? 5. What other scriptures emphasize turning away from idols and returning to God? 6. How can we apply Jeremiah 4:1 to strengthen our personal relationship with God? 7. What does Jeremiah 4:1 reveal about God's expectations for repentance and return to Him? 8. How does Jeremiah 4:1 challenge the sincerity of one's faith and commitment to God? 9. What historical context influenced the message in Jeremiah 4:1? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 4? IV. (1) If thou wilt return.--The "if" implies a return from the hopes with which Jeremiah 3 ended to the language of misgiving, and so, inferentially, of earnest exhortation. Abominations.--Literally, things of shame, as in Jeremiah 3:24; the idols which Israel had worshipped. Then shalt thou not remove.--Better, as continuing the conditions of forgiveness, if thou wilt not wander. Verses 1, 2. - The form and structure of the translation require a change. Render, If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith Jehovah, wilt return unto me; and if thou wilt put away, etc., and not wander; and wilt swear, As Jehovah liveth, with good faith, with justice, and with righteousness; then shall the nations bless themselves by him, and in him shall they glory. The clause, "and not wander," seems too short; the Septuagint had a choicer reading, "and put away, etc., from his [thy] mouth, and not wander from before me." It is the close of the prophecy which we have here. The prophet subjoins a promise which he has heard from Jehovah. True, it does not appeal to Israel's self-love (as Isaiah 48:18, 19; Psalm 81:13-16), but to a nobler feeling of responsibility for the world's welfare. Israel has been entrusted with a mission, and on the due performance of this mission hangs the weal or woe of humanity. Hence Jehovah's longing for Israel's repentance. If Israel will but "return," and obey God's commandments, all nations will be attracted to the true religion. The form of expression used for the latter statement is borrowed probably from Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4 (it is less closely parallel with Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18). To "bless by" any one is to use his name in the benediction formula. Seeing Israel so blessed through his allegiance to Jehovah, all nations shall wish themselves a similar blessing (the reverse of the process in Jeremiah 29:22; comp. Isaiah 65:16). To "swear, As Jehovah liveth," means to call Jehovah to witness to the truth of a statement. This is to be done "with good faith," etc., i.e. the object of the oath must be consistent with honesty and probity. Abominations; i.e. idols, as often (see 2 Kings 23:24). Jeremiah 4:1 sets forth a conditional promise: if Israel will wholeheartedly return to the Lord, remove every idol, and quit oscillating between loyalties, God stands ready to restore them. The verse highlights God’s mercy, the necessity of decisive action against sin, and the call to unwavering devotion—a timeless pattern for personal and corporate renewal.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you will return, תָּשׁ֨וּב (tā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again O Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל ׀ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc return תָּשׁ֑וּב (tā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to Me,” אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5002: An oracle the LORD. יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel “If וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you will remove תָּסִ֧יר (tā·sîr) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5493: To turn aside your detestable idols שִׁקּוּצֶ֛יךָ (šiq·qū·ṣe·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 8251: Disgusting, filthy, idolatrous, an idol from My sight מִפָּנַ֖י (mip·pā·nay) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6440: The face and no longer וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no waver, תָנֽוּד׃ (ṯā·nūḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5110: To nod, waver, to wander, flee, disappear, to console, deplore, taunt Additonal Resources Jeremiah 4:1 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 4:1 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 4:1 Bible.com Jeremiah 4:1 NIV |
    |