Jeremiah 14:1-10

1The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

2“Judah mourns And her gates languish; Her people sit on the ground in mourning clothes And the cry of Jerusalem has gone up.

3Their nobles have sent their servants for water; They have come to the cisterns and found no water. They have returned with empty vessels; They have been shamed and humiliated, And they cover their heads.

4The ground is cracked Because there has been no rain on the land; The farmers are distressed, And they have covered their heads [in shame].

5The doe in the field has given birth only to abandon her young Because there is no grass.

6And the wild donkeys stand on the barren heights; They pant for air like jackals, Their eyesight fails Because there is no grass.

7O Lord, though our many sins testify against us” [prays Jeremiah], “Act now [for us and] for Your name’s sake [so that the faithless may witness Your faithfulness]! For our backslidings are countless; We have sinned against You.

8O Hope of Israel, Her Savior in time of distress and trouble, Why should You be like a sojourner (temporary resident) in the land Or like a traveler who turns aside and spreads his tent to linger [only] for a night?

9Why should You be [hesitant and inactive] like a man astounded and perplexed, Like a mighty man unable to save? Yet You, O Lord, are among us, And we are called by Your name; Do not leave us!”

10Thus says the Lord to this people [Judah], “In the manner and to the degree [already pointed out] they have loved to wander; they have not restrained their feet. Therefore the Lord does not accept them; He will now remember [in detail] their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”