New Living Translation
Jeremiah 6:16
16This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
Jeremiah 6:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
- New International Version (NIV)This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
- English Standard Version (ESV)Thus says the Lord: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
- New King James Version (NKJV)Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Context of Jeremiah 6:16
14They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace. 15Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ 17I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’ 18“Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of my people’s situation.
Read all of Jeremiah 6Jeremiah 6:16 word by word
כֹּ֣ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֡ה עִמְדוּ֩ עַל־דְּרָכִ֨ים וּרְא֜וּ וְשַׁאֲל֣וּ׀ לִנְתִב֣וֹת עוֹלָ֗ם אֵי־זֶ֨ה דֶ֤רֶךְ הַטּוֹב֙ וּלְכוּ־בָ֔הּ וּמִצְא֥וּ מַרְגּ֖וֹעַ לְנַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ לֹ֥א נֵלֵֽךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thus saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- Standעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975
- ye in the waysדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: roadH1870
- and seeרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
- and askשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
- for the oldעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: antiquityH5769
- pathsנְתִיבָהnâthîyb nethîybâh nethibâh · pathH5410
- the goodטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
- and walkיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
- therein, and ye shall findמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
- restמַרְגּוֹעַmargôa‛ · restH4771
- for your soulsנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
Cross-references for Jeremiah 6:16
- Jeremiah 18:15But my people are not so reliable, for they have deserted me; they burn incense to worthless idols. They have stumbled off the ancient highways and walk in muddy paths.
- Deuteronomy 32:7Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you.
- Isaiah 8:20Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.
- Malachi 4:4“Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.
- Luke 16:29“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
- John 5:39“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
- John 5:46If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.
- Acts 17:11And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
- Romans 4:1Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God?
- Hebrews 6:12Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
- Hebrews 11:2Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
- Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
- Jeremiah 7:23This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’
- Isaiah 2:5Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
- Isaiah 30:21Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
- John 12:35Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.
Commentaries on Jeremiah 6:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see - Let us observe the metaphor. A traveler is going to a particular city; he comes to a place where the road divides into several paths, he is afraid of going astray; he stops short, - endeavors to find out the right path: he cannot fix his choice. At last he sees another traveler; he inquires of him, gets proper directions - proceeds on his journey - arrives at the desired place - and reposes after his…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-17Verses 9-17 When the Lord arises to take vengeance, no sinners of any age or rank, or of either sex escape. They were set upon the world, and wholly carried away by the love of it. If we judge of this sin by God's word, we find multitudes in every station and rank given up to it. Those are to be reckoned our worst and most dangerous enemies, who flatter us in a sinful way. Oh that men would be wise for their souls! Ask for the old paths; the way of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Following God's ancient laws (Malachi 4:4) would bring peace to people's souls (compare Matthew 11:29).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Image from travellers who have lost their road, stopping and inquiring which is the right way on which they once had been, but from which they have wandered. old paths--Idolatry and apostasy are the modern way; the worship of God the old way. Evil is not coeval with good, but a modern degeneracy from good. The forsaking of God is not, in a true sense, a "way cast up" at all (Jr 18:15; Psa 139:24; Mal 4:4). rest--(Is 28:12; Mt 11:29).Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 6:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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