Jeremiah 18

1 This is the word [message from God, divine communication] that came [was given, came into being] to Jeremiah [whom Jehovah has appointed] from [out of, sent by] the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God, having God’s nature]: word study 2 “Go down [immediately] at once to the potter’s [one who forms, molds] house [place of crafting, dwelling], and there [in that location, at that time] I will reveal [cause you to hear, make known] My message [words, declaration] to you [as an individual, personally].” word study 3 So I went down [to a lower place, descended] to the potter’s house [a place of craftsmanship, a workshop] and saw him working [doing, making, forming] at the wheel [a stool, a turntable for shaping clay]. word study 4 But the vessel [article, utensil, or object] that he was shaping [forming, molding] from the clay [earth, material] became flawed [marred, damaged] in his hand [power, direction]; so he formed [made, shaped] it into another [different, next] vessel [object, tool], as it seemed [was right, appeared] best [good, pleasant] for him to do [make, create]. word study 5 Then the word [message, declaration] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] came [existed, came into being] to me, saying [to speak, to command], word study 6 “O house [dwelling place, family] of Israel, declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], can I not treat you [have power over you, deal with you] as this potter [craftsman, shaper] treats his clay [soft, pliable material]? Just like clay [moldable, shapeable] in the potter’s hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share], so are you [as a nation, as individuals] in My hand [under My control, guidance], O house of Israel. word study 7 At any [given] time [moment, instant] I might announce [speak, proclaim] that a nation [Gentile, large group] or kingdom [domain, territory] will be uprooted [plucked up, torn away], torn down [pulled down, broken down], and destroyed [perish, lost]. word study 8 But if that nation [which I have spoken against, a Gentile people] I warned [spoken to, given a warning] turns [to return, repent] from its evil [moral or natural harm, wickedness], then I will relent [be sorry, show pity] of the disaster [adversity, affliction] I had planned [devised, thought to do] to bring [to cause, inflict]. word study 9 And if at another time [in an instant, suddenly] I announce [speak, proclaim, declare] that I will build up [establish, repair] and establish [plant, make strong] a nation [Gentile, people group] or kingdom [dominion, ruler’s power], word study 10 and if it does [moral or natural] evil [bad, wicked, or harmful] in My sight [before My presence, in My view] and does not listen [obey, heed, or pay attention] to My voice [sound, word, or command], then I will relent [change My mind, be sorry, or regret] of the good [beneficial, pleasant, or joyful] I had intended [planned, promised, or spoken of] for it. word study 11 Now therefore [at this time, in this situation], tell the men of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah] and the residents [inhabitants, dwellers] of Jerusalem [the city of peace] that this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: ‘Behold [look, see], I am planning [forming, devising] a disaster [evil, calamity] for you and devising [plotting, contriving] a plan [device, scheme] against you. Turn now [return, come back], each of you, from your evil [bad, wicked] ways [path, manner of life], and correct [make good, amend] your ways [path, manner of life] and deeds [actions, acts].’ word study 12 But they will reply, ‘It is [hopeless, desperate] [no hope, in vain] hopeless. We will follow our own [plans, devices, imaginations] [plots, schemes] plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness [perverseness] of his evil [wicked] heart [mind, will, intellect].’” word study 13 Therefore [in this manner, thus] this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: “Inquire [ask, seek information] among the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrews]: Who [which one, what person] has ever heard [listened to, given attention] things like these [such as these, of this kind]? Virgin [pure, untouched, a bride] Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, his descendants] has done [made, committed] a most [very, exceedingly] terrible [horrible, inspiring fear] thing [act, deed]. word study 14 Does the snow [white like purity] of Lebanon [a mountain range] ever leave [forsake, abandon] its rocky [from the rock] slopes [mountain tops, elevated areas]? Or do its cool [excellent, calm] waters [liquid refreshment, spiritual nourishment] flowing [to flow, drip, like a stream] from a distance [afar, a remote place] ever run dry [be dried up, cease flowing, like a parched land]? word study 15 Yet My people [Amaw, a nation or tribe] have forgotten [to mislay or be oblivious to] Me. They burn incense [to offer, with a special altar] to worthless idols [vanity, empty or deceitful things] that make them stumble [to lose balance, to falter] in their ways [paths or roads], leaving the ancient [long-standing, from of old] roads to walk on rutted [unmade, not built up] bypaths [side-roads, paths not cast up] instead of on the highway [the main road, the way of life]. word study 16 They have made their land [a desolate wasteland, a thing of wonder] a desolation [shammah, a state of horror or ruin], a perpetual [forever, always] object of scorn [a hissing, a piping sound]; all [everything, every person] who pass by [cross over, transition] will be appalled [astonished, overcome with wonder] and shake their heads [in disbelief, to show shock]. word study 17 I will scatter them [like dust, as with an east wind] before the enemy [adversary, oppressor] like the east wind [a strong and fierce wind]. I will show them My back [turn away, reject] and not My face [presence, favor] in the day [time of judgment, period of suffering] of their calamity [disaster, affliction].” word study 18 Then some said, “Come [let us walk together], let us make plans [devise devices, plot] against Jeremiah, for the law [instruction, Torah] will never be lost [perish, destroyed] to the priest [one who serves God], nor counsel [wise advice, guidance] to the wise [intelligent, discerning], nor an oracle [a word from God, prophecy] to the prophet [one who speaks for God]. Come, let us denounce [smite with the tongue, slander] him and pay no heed [do not listen, ignore] to any of his words [messages, teachings].” word study 19 Attend to me [give heed, listen carefully], O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. Hear [listen with attention and obedience] what my accusers [those who contend with me, opponents] are saying [uttering with their voice, speaking against me]! word study 20 Should good [pleasant, beneficial] be repaid with evil [bad, moral harm]? Yet they have dug [excavated, plotted against] a pit [deep hole, place of danger] for me. Remember [recall, mark] how I stood [stood firmly, interceded] before You [in Your presence, face to face] to speak [communicate, plead] good [welfare, blessing] on their behalf [for their benefit, in their favor], to turn [return, divert] Your wrath [intense anger, rage] from them. word study 21 Therefore, hand their children [to be given over, surrendered] over to famine [hunger, lack of nourishment]; pour out [cause to flow, deliver] the power [strength, might] of the sword [weapon, instrument of war] upon them. Let their wives [women, female partners] become childless [without children, bereaved] and widowed [having lost a husband, alone]; let their husbands [men, male partners] be slain [killed, put to death] by disease [sickness, plague], their young men [youth, vigorous ones] struck down [smitten, defeated] by the sword [weapon, instrument of battle] in battle [war, combat]. word study 22 Let a cry [outcry, loud shriek] be heard from their houses [dwelling places, homes] when You suddenly [without warning, unexpectedly] bring raiders [a troop, an armed band] against them, for they have dug [excavated, plotted] a pit [a deep hole, a trap] to capture [seize, take control of] me and have hidden [concealed, secretly placed] snares [nets, traps] for my feet [steps, path]. word study 23 But You, O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], know [are fully aware of, have discerned] all their deadly plots [counsel, plans] against me. Do not wipe out [erase, forgive] their guilt [iniquity, moral evil] or blot out [completely remove] their sin [transgression, rebellion] from Your sight [presence, face]. Let them be overthrown [made to stumble, fall] before You; deal with them [execute judgment upon them] in the time [season, appointed hour] of Your anger [wrath, indignation]. word study