Jeremiah 17

The Sin of Judah

1 "The sin of Judah is a written with a b pen of iron;
With the point of a diamond it is c engraved
On the tablet of their heart,
And on the horns of your altars,
2 While their children remember
Their altars and their d wooden 1 images 2
By the green trees on the high hills.
3 O My mountain in the field,
I will give as plunder your wealth, all your treasures,
And your high places of sin within all your borders.
4 And you, even yourself,
Shall let go of your heritage which I gave you;
And I will cause you to serve your enemies
In e the land which you do not know;
For f you have kindled a fire in My anger which shall burn forever."

5 Thus says the LORD:
g "Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes h flesh his 3 strength,
Whose heart departs from the LORD.
6 For he shall be i like a shrub in the desert,
And j shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
k In a salt land which is not inhabited.

7 "Blessed l is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.
8 For he shall be m like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not 4 fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

9 "The n heart is deceitful above all things,
And 5 desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the LORD, o search the heart,
I test the 6 mind,
p Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.

11 " As a partridge that 7 broods but does not hatch,
So is he who gets riches, but not by right;
It q will leave him in the midst of his days,
And at his end he will be r a fool."

12 A glorious high throne from the beginning
Is the place of our sanctuary.
13 O LORD, s the hope of Israel,
t All who forsake You shall be ashamed.
"Those who depart from Me
Shall be u written in the earth,
Because they have forsaken the LORD,
The v fountain of living waters."

Jeremiah Prays for Deliverance

14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved,
For w You are my praise.
15 Indeed they say to me,
x "Where is the word of the LORD?
Let it come now!"
16 As for me, y I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You,
Nor have I desired the woeful day;
You know what came out of my lips;
It was right there before You.
17 Do not be a terror to me;
z You are my hope in the day of doom.
18 a Let them be ashamed who persecute me,
But b do not let me be put to shame;
Let them be dismayed,
But do not let me be dismayed.
Bring on them the day of doom,
And c destroy 8 them with double destruction!

Keep the Sabbath Holy

19 Thus the LORD said to me: "Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20 "and say to them, d 'Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. 21 'Thus says the LORD: e "Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 "nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I f commanded your fathers. 23 g "But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but 9 made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction.

24 "And it shall be, h if you heed Me carefully," says the LORD, "to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the i Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it, 25 j "then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever. 26 "And they shall come from the cities of Judah and from k the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from l the 10 lowland, from the mountains and from m the 11 South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, bringing n sacrifices of praise to the house of the LORD. 27 "But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then o I will kindle a fire in its gates, p and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be q quenched." ' "

  1. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:22
    For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord GOD.
  2. Cross References
    Job 19:24
    That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever!
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:3
    Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
    Proverbs 7:3
    Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.
    Isaiah 49:16
    See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
    2 Corinthians 3:3
    Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
  4. Cross References
    Judges 3:7
    So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs.
  5. Cross References
    Jeremiah 16:13
    'Therefore I will cast you out of this land into a land that you do not know, neither you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other gods day and night, where I will not show you favor.'
  6. Cross References
    Isaiah 5:25
    Therefore the anger of the LORD is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them And stricken them, And the hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.
    Jeremiah 15:14
    And I will make you cross over with your enemies Into a land which you do not know; For a fire is kindled in My anger, Which shall burn upon you.
  7. Cross References
    Psalms 146:3
    Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
    Isaiah 30:1
    Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin.
    Isaiah 30:2
    Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
    Isaiah 31:1
    Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!
  8. Cross References
    Isaiah 31:3
    Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together.
  9. Cross References
    Jeremiah 48:6
    Flee, save your lives! And be like the juniper in the wilderness.
  10. Cross References
    Job 20:17
    He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream.
  11. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:23
    'The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger and His wrath.'
    Job 39:6
    Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the barren land his dwelling?
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 2:12
    Kiss the Son, lestHe be angry, And you perish i...
    Psalms 34:8
    Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blesse...
    Psalms 125:1
    Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion...
    Psalms 146:5
    Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his he...
    Proverbs 16:20
    He who heeds the word wisely will find good, An...
    Isaiah 30:18
    Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gr...
    Jeremiah 39:18
    "For I will surely deliver you, and you shall n...
  13. Cross References
    Job 8:16
    He grows green in the sun, And his branches spread out in his garden.
    Psalms 1:3
    He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
    Ezekiel 31:3 - 9
    Indeed Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, With fine branches that shaded the forest, And of high stature; And its top was among the thick boughs.
  14. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 9:3
    This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
    Matthew 15:19
    For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
    Mark 7:21
    For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders.
    Mark 7:22
    Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
  15. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:7
    But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at hi...
    1 Chronicles 28:9
    As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of you...
    Psalms 7:9
    Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an...
    Psalms 139:23
    Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, an...
    Psalms 139:24
    And see if there is any wicked way in me, And l...
    Proverbs 17:3
    The refining pot is for silver and the furnace ...
    Jeremiah 11:20
    But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously...
    Jeremiah 20:12
    But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteou...
    Romans 8:27
    Now He who searches the hearts knows what the m...
    Revelation 2:23
    I will kill her children with death, and all th...
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 62:12
    Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
    Jeremiah 32:19
    You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.
    Romans 2:6
    Who "will render to each one according to his deeds":
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 55:23
    But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.
  18. Cross References
    Luke 12:20
    "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'
  19. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:8
    O the Hope of Israel, his Savior in time of trouble, Why should You be like a stranger in the land, And like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
  20. Cross References
    Psalms 73:27
    For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
    Isaiah 1:28
    The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, And those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
  21. Cross References
    Luke 10:20
    "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
  22. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:13
    For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns - broken cisterns that can hold no water.
  23. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 10:21
    He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
    Psalms 109:1
    Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!
  24. Cross References
    Isaiah 5:19
    That say, "Let Him make speed and hasten His work, That we may see it; And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, That we may know it.
    Ezekiel 12:22
    Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, 'The days are prolonged, and every vision fails'?
    2 Peter 3:4
    And saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
  25. Cross References
    Jeremiah 1:4 - 12
    Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
  26. Cross References
    Jeremiah 16:19
    O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things.
    Nahum 1:7
    The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
  27. Cross References
    Psalms 35:4
    Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor Who seek after my life; Let those be turned back and brought to confusion Who plot my hurt.
    Psalms 70:2
    Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused Who desire my hurt.
    Jeremiah 15:10
    Woe is me, my mother, That you have borne me, A man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent for interest, Nor have men lent to me for interest. Every one of them curses me.
    Jeremiah 18:18
    Then they said, "Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
  28. Cross References
    Psalms 25:2
    O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.
  29. Cross References
    Jeremiah 11:20
    But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause.
  30. Cross References
    Psalms 49:1
    Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world.
    Psalms 49:2
    Both low and high, Rich and poor together.
    Jeremiah 19:3
    And say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will bring such a catastrophe on this place, that whoever hears of it, his ears will tingle.
    Jeremiah 19:4
    Because they have forsaken Me and made this an alien place, because they have burned incense in it to other gods whom neither they, their fathers, nor the kings of Judah have known, and have filled this place with the blood of the innocents
  31. Cross References
    Numbers 15:32
    Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.
    Nehemiah 13:19
    So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.
    John 5:9 - 12
    And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
    John 5:17
    But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.
    John 7:22 - 24
    Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.
  32. Cross References
    Exodus 20:8
    Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
    Exodus 31:13
    Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
    Ezekiel 20:12
    Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
  33. Cross References
    Jeremiah 7:24
    Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.
    Jeremiah 7:26
    Yet they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.
  34. Cross References
    Jeremiah 11:4
    "which I commanded your fathers in the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, 'Obey My voice, and do according to all that I command you; so shall you be My people, and I will be your God,'
    Jeremiah 26:3
    'Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.'
  35. Cross References
    Exodus 16:23 - 30
    Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD ha...
    Exodus 20:8 - 10
    Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
    Numbers 15:32 - 36
    Now while the children of Israel were in the wi...
    Deuteronomy 5:12 - 14
    Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as th...
    Nehemiah 13:15
    In those days I saw people in Judah treading wi...
    Isaiah 58:13
    If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, Fr...
  36. Cross References
    Jeremiah 22:4
    For if you indeed do this thing, then shall enter the gates of this house, riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people, kings who sit on the throne of David.
  37. Cross References
    Jeremiah 33:13
    In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the South, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks shall again pass under the hands of him who counts them, ' says the LORD.
  38. Cross References
    Zechariah 7:7
    ' Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?'"
  39. Cross References
    Judges 1:9
    And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who dwelt in the mountains, in the South, and in the lowland.
  40. Cross References
    Psalms 107:22
    Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing.
    Psalms 116:17
    I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD.
    Jeremiah 33:11
    The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever" - and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD.
  41. Cross References
    Jeremiah 21:14
    But I will punish you according to the fruit of...
    Lamentations 4:11
    The LORD has fulfilled His fury, He has poured ...
    Amos 1:4
    But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael...
    Amos 1:7
    But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, W...
    Amos 1:10
    But I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, W...
    Amos 1:12
    But I will send a fire upon Teman, Which shall ...
  42. Cross References
    2 Kings 25:9
    He burned the house of the LORD and the king's house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire.
    2 Chronicles 36:19
    Then they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions.
    Jeremiah 39:8
    And the Chaldeans burned the king's house and the houses of the people with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
    Jeremiah 52:13
    He burned the house of the LORD and the king's house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire.
    Amos 2:5
    But I will send a fire upon Judah, And it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.
  43. Cross References
    Jeremiah 7:20
    Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place - on man and on beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be quenched.
    Ezekiel 20:47
    And say to the forest of the South, 'Hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be scorched by it.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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