Jeremiah Complains about His Lot and The Lord Responds

15:10 I said,28

“Oh, mother, how I regret29 that you ever gave birth to me!

I am always starting arguments and quarrels with the people of this land.30

I have not lent money to anyone and I have not borrowed from anyone.

Yet all of these people are treating me with contempt.”31

15:11 The Lord said,

“Jerusalem,32 I will surely send you away for your own good.

I will surely33 bring the enemy upon you in a time of trouble and distress.

15:12 Can you people who are like iron and bronze

break that iron fist from the north?34

15:13 I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder.

I will give it away free of charge for the sins you have committed throughout your land.

15:14 I will make you serve your enemies35 in a land that you know nothing about.

For my anger is like a fire that will burn against you.”

15:15 I said,36

“Lord, you know how I suffer.37

Take thought of me and care for me.

Pay back for me those who have been persecuting me.

Do not be so patient with them that you allow them to kill me.

Be mindful of how I have put up with their insults for your sake.

15:16 As your words came to me I drank them in,38

and they filled my heart with joy and happiness

because I belong to you.39

15:17 I did not spend my time in the company of other people,

laughing and having a good time.

I stayed to myself because I felt obligated to you40

and because I was filled with anger at what they had done.

15:18 Why must I continually suffer such painful anguish?

Why must I endure the sting of their insults like an incurable wound?

Will you let me down when I need you

like a brook one goes to for water, but that cannot be relied on?”41

15:19 Because of this, the Lord said,42

“You must repent of such words and thoughts!

If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me.43

If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless,

I will again allow you to be my spokesman.44

They must become as you have been.

You must not become like them.45

15:20 I will make you as strong as a wall to these people,

a fortified wall of bronze.

They will attack you,

but they will not be able to overcome you.

For I will be with you to rescue you and deliver you,”46

says the Lord.

15:21 “I will deliver you from the power of the wicked.

I will free you from the clutches of violent people.”

Jeremiah Forbidden to Marry, to Mourn, or to Feast

16:1 The Lord said to me, 16:2 “Do not get married and do not have children here in this land. 16:3 For I, the Lord, tell you what will happen to1 the children who are born here in this land and to the men and women who are their mothers and fathers.2 16:4 They will die of deadly diseases. No one will mourn for them. They will not be buried. Their dead bodies will lie like manure spread on the ground. They will be killed in war or die of starvation. Their corpses will be food for the birds and wild animals.

16:5 “Moreover I, the Lord, tell you:3 ‘Do not go into a house where they are having a funeral meal. Do not go there to mourn and express your sorrow for them. For I have stopped showing them my good favor,4 my love, and my compassion. I, the Lord, so affirm it!5 16:6 Rich and poor alike will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned. People will not cut their bodies or shave off their hair to show their grief for them.6 16:7 No one will take any food to those who mourn for the dead to comfort them. No one will give them any wine to drink to console them for the loss of their father or mother.

16:8 “ ‘Do not go to a house where people are feasting and sit down to eat and drink with them either. 16:9 For I, the Lord God of Israel who rules over all, tell you what will happen.7 I will put an end to the sounds of joy and gladness, to the glad celebration of brides and grooms in this land. You and the rest of the people will live to see this happen.’ ”8