Jeremiah Prays for Understanding

16 “Now when I had delivered the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, saying: 17 ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, pYou have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. qThere is nothing too 3hard for You. 18 You show rlovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, sthe Mighty God, whose name is tthe Lord of hosts. 19 You are ugreat in counsel and mighty in 4work, for your veyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, wto give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. 20 You have set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, to this day, and in Israel and among other men; and You have made Yourself xa name, as it is this day. 21 You yhave brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror; 22 You have given them this land, of which You swore to their fathers to give them—z“a land flowing with milk and honey.” 23 And they came in and took possession of it, but athey have not obeyed Your voice or walked in Your law. They have done nothing of all that You commanded them to do; therefore You have caused all this calamity to come upon them.

24 ‘Look, the siege mounds! They have come to the city to take it; and the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of bthe sword and famine and pestilence. What You have spoken has happened; there You see it! 25 And You have said to me, O Lord God, “Buy the field for money, and take witnesses”!—yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’ ”