Jeremiah 18

1 The message that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:ISV — Jeremiah 18:1

2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I’ll allow you to hear my words.”ISV — Jeremiah 18:2

3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was doing work at the potter’s wheel.ISV — Jeremiah 18:3

4 But the vessel he was working on with the clay was ruined in the potter’s hand. So he remade it into another vessel that seemed appropriate to him.ISV — Jeremiah 18:4

5 Then this message from the LORD came to me:ISV — Jeremiah 18:5

6 “Israel, can’t I deal with you like this potter?” declares the LORD. “Look, Israel, like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.ISV — Jeremiah 18:6

7 At one moment I may speak about a nation or a kingdom to uproot it, pull it down, or destroy it.ISV — Jeremiah 18:7

8 But if that nation about which I spoke turns from its evil way, I’ll change my mind about the disaster that I had planned for it.ISV — Jeremiah 18:8

9 At another moment I may speak about a nation or kingdom to build it or plant it.ISV — Jeremiah 18:9

10 But if that nation does evil in my eyes by not obeying me, I’ll change my mind about the good that I said I would bring on it.ISV — Jeremiah 18:10

11 “Now say to the people of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Look, I’m designing a disaster just for you, and I’m making plans against you. Each one of you must repent from his evil way. Make your ways and deeds right.”’ISV — Jeremiah 18:11

12 But they’ll say, ‘It’s useless! We will follow our plans and each of us will pursue his own evil desires.’ ^{a18:12 Lit. will do the stubbornness of his evil heart}ISV — Jeremiah 18:12

13 “Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘Ask the nations. Who has ever heard of anything like this? You have done a most horrible thing, virgin Israel.ISV — Jeremiah 18:13

14 Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? ^{b18:14 Or Do rocks ever leave the slopes, or the snow from Lebanon?} Or does the cold water from a foreign land ever cease to flow?ISV — Jeremiah 18:14

15 Yet my people have forgotten me, and they burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their journey on the ancient paths. They walk on trails, on a way that is not built up.ISV — Jeremiah 18:15

16 They make their land into a desolate place, an object of lasting scorn. ^{c18:16 Lit. hissing} All who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. ^{d18:16 i.e. in surprise at the magnitude of the destruction}ISV — Jeremiah 18:16

17 ‘Like the east wind, I’ll scatter them before the enemy. I’ll show them my back and not my face, on the day of their downfall.’”ISV — Jeremiah 18:17

18 Then they said, “Come, let’s make up a plot against Jeremiah. After all, the priest’s instruction, the wise man’s counsel, and the prophet’s message won’t be destroyed. ^{e18:18 Lit. perish} So let’s verbally attack him. Pay no attention to anything he says!”ISV — Jeremiah 18:18

19 LORD, pay attention to me. Listen to the voice of my accusers!ISV — Jeremiah 18:19

20 Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit to take my life. ^{f18:20 Or a pit for me} Remember! I stood before you and spoke good on their behalf in order to turn your wrath away from them.ISV — Jeremiah 18:20

21 Therefore, make their children undergo famine, and deliver them over to death in time of war. ^{g18:21 Lit. to the power of the sword.} May their women be childless widows! May their men be slaughtered! ^{h18:21 Lit. killed dead} May their young men be slain by the sword in battle!ISV — Jeremiah 18:21

22 Let a cry be heard from their houses because you have brought a raiding party against them suddenly. For they have dug a pit to capture me and have set ^{i18:22 Or hidden} traps for my feet.ISV — Jeremiah 18:22

23 But you, LORD, know all their plots to kill me. Don’t forgive their iniquity, and don’t erase their sin from your sight. Let them stumble before you. When it’s time for you to be angry, act against them!ISV — Jeremiah 18:23