Jeremiah 15 — Septuagint (LXX)

Then the LORD said to me: Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them away from my presence — let them go!

And when they ask you, 'Where should we go?' — tell them: This is what the LORD says: Those destined for death — to death. Those destined for the sword — to the sword. Those destined for famine — to famine. Those destined for captivity — to captivity.

I will appoint four kinds of destroyers against them, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, dogs to drag away, the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

I will make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.

For who will have compassion on you, Jerusalem? Who will mourn for you? Who will turn aside to ask about your welfare?

You have abandoned me, declares the LORD; you keep going backward. So I stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you — I am weary of relenting.

I winnowed them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I bereaved them; I destroyed my people, for they did not turn back from their ways.

Their widows are more numerous to me than the sand of the seas. I brought against the mother of young men a destroyer at midday. I made anguish and terror fall on her suddenly.

The mother of seven grows faint; she breathes out her life. Her sun has set while it is still day — she is shamed and disgraced. And their survivors I will give to the sword before their enemies, declares the LORD.

Woe to me, my mother, that you gave birth to me — a man of conflict and a man of dispute with the whole land! I have not lent, and no one has lent to me, yet everyone curses me.

The LORD said: Surely I have set you free for a good purpose. Surely I have made the enemy plead with you in the time of disaster and in the time of distress.

Can iron shatter iron from the north, or bronze?

Your wealth and your treasures I will give as plunder — without cost — because of all your sins throughout all your territory.

I will make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know, for a fire is kindled in my anger — it will burn against you.

You know, LORD. Remember me and attend to me; avenge me against my persecutors. In your patience, do not take me away. Know that for your sake I bear reproach.

Your words were found, and I devoured them. Your word became my joy and the delight of my heart, for your name has been called over me, LORD, God of Hosts.

I did not sit in the company of revelers and celebrate. Because of your hand upon me, I sat alone, for you filled me with indignation.

Why is my pain unending, my wound incurable, refusing to heal? Will you truly be to me like a deceptive stream, like waters that cannot be trusted?

Therefore this is what the LORD says: If you return, I will restore you — you will stand before me. If you extract what is precious from what is worthless, you will be as my mouth. They will turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

I will make you a fortified wall of bronze to this people. They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.

I will rescue you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.