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Jeremiah 15 (CEV)

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¹ The LORD said to me: Even if Moses and Samuel were here, praying with you, I wouldn't change my mind. So send the people of Judah away. ² And when they ask where they are going, tell them that I, the LORD, have said: Some of you are going to die of horrible diseases. Others are going to die in war or from starvation. The rest will be led away to a foreign country. ³ I will punish you in four different ways: You will be killed in war and your bodies dragged off by dogs, your flesh will be eaten by birds, and your bones will be chewed on by wild animals. ⁴ This punishment will happen because of the horrible things your King Manasseh did. And you will be disgusting to all nations on earth. ⁵ People of Jerusalem, who will feel sorry for you? Will anyone bother to ask if you are well? ⁶ My people, you abandoned me and walked away. I am tired of showing mercy; that's why I'll destroy you ⁷ by scattering you like straw blown by the wind. I will punish you with sorrow and death, because you refuse to change your ways. ⁸ There will be more widows in Judah than grains of sand on a beach. A surprise attack at noon! And the mothers in Jerusalem mourn for their children. ⁹ A mother is in deep despair and struggles for breath. Her daylight has turned to darkness-- she has suffered the loss of her seven sons. I will kill anyone who survives. I, the LORD, have spoken. ¹⁰ I wish I had never been born! I'm always in trouble with everyone in Judah. I never lend or borrow money, but everyone curses me just the same. ¹¹ Then the LORD replied, "I promise to protect you, and when disaster comes, even your enemies will beg you for help." ¹² People of Judah, just as you can't break iron mixed with bronze, you can't defeat the enemies that will attack from the north. ¹³ I will give them everything you own, because you have sinned everywhere in your country. ¹⁴ My anger is a fire that cannot be put out, so I will make you slaves of your enemies in a foreign land. ¹⁵ You can see how I suffer insult after insult, all because of you, LORD. Don't be so patient with my enemies; take revenge on them before they kill me. ¹⁶ When you spoke to me, I was glad to obey, because I belong to you, the LORD All-Powerful. ¹⁷ I don't go to parties and have a good time. Instead, I keep to myself, because you have filled me with your anger. ¹⁸ I am badly injured and in constant pain. Are you going to disappoint me, like a stream that goes dry in the heat of summer? ¹⁹ Then the LORD told me: Stop talking like a fool! If you turn back to me and speak my message, I will let you be my prophet once again. I hope the people of Judah will accept what you say. But you can ignore their threats, * ²⁰ because I am making you strong, like a bronze wall. They are evil and violent, but when they attack, ²¹ I will be there to rescue you. I, the LORD, have spoken.