Dual Panel1This came to Jeremiah as the word of the LORD concerning the drought:
2Judah droops, her towns languish, the inhabitants sit on the ground in mourning; and a crying goes up from Jerusalem.
3Masters send their servants for water, but when they come to the pools they find none there, and go back with their vessels empty; disappointed and shamed, they uncover their heads.
4Because the ground is cracked through lack of rain in the land, the farmers' hopes are wrecked; they uncover their heads in grief.
5The hind calves in the open country, and because there is no grass she abandons her young.
6Wild asses stand on the bare heights and snuff the wind as wolves do, and their eyes begin to fail for lack of herbage.
7Though our sins testify against us, yet take action, LORD, for your own name's sake. Our disloyalties indeed are many; we have sinned against you.
8Hope of Israel, their saviour in time of trouble, must you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveller breaking his journey to find a night's lodging?
9Must you be like a man suddenly overcome, like a warrior powerless to save himself? You are in our midst, LORD, and we bear your name. Do not forsake us.
10The LORD says of this people: They love to stray from my ways; they wander where they will. Therefore the LORD has no more pleasure in them; he remembers their guilt now, and punishes their sins.
11The LORD said to me: Do not pray for the wellbeing of this people.
12Though they fast, I shall not listen to their cry; though they sacrifice whole-offering and grain-offering, I shall not accept them. I shall make an end of them with sword, famine, and pestilence.
13But I said: Ah, Lord GOD, the prophets keep saying to them that they will see no sword and suffer no famine; for you will give them lasting prosperity in this place.
14The LORD answered me: These are lies the prophets are prophesying in my name. I have not sent them; I have given them no charge; I have not spoken to them. The prophets are offering false visions, worthless augury, and their own day-dreams.
15Therefore these are the words of the LORD about the prophets who, with no commission from me, prophesy in my name and say that neither sword nor famine will touch this land: By sword and by famine those prophets will meet their end.
16The people to whom they prophesy will be flung out into the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword: they, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, and there will be no one to bury them. I shall pour down on them the disaster they deserve.
17This is what you are to say to them: Let my eyes stream with tears ceaselessly night and day. For the virgin daughter of my people, struck by a cruel blow, is grievously wounded.
18If I go out into the open country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see the victims of famine. Prophet and priest alike wander without rest in the land.
19Have you spurned Judah utterly? Do you loathe Zion? Why have you wounded us past all healing? We hoped to prosper, but nothing went well. We hoped for respite, but terror struck.
20We acknowledge our wickedness, the guilt of our forefathers; LORD, we have sinned against you.
21Do not despise the place where your name dwells or bring contempt on your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not make it void.
22Can any of the false gods of the nations give rain? Or do the heavens of themselves send showers? Is it not in you, LORD our God, that we put our hope? You alone made all these things.