Jeremiah 12:16

Verse

And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.

American Standard Version (1901)

And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people.

Bible in Basic English

And it will be that, if they give their minds to learning the ways of my people, using my name in their oaths, By the living Lord; as they have been teaching my people to take oaths by the Baal; then their place will be made certain among my people.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And it shall come to pass, if they will be taught, and will learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name: The Lord liveth, as they have taught my people to swear by baal: that they shall be built up in the midst of my people.

Free Bible Version

If they will honestly learn the ways of my people and respect me, making their vows to me, just as they once taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will do well among my people.

Geneva Bible 1599

And if they will learne the wayes of my people, to sweare by my Name, (The Lord liueth, as they taught my people to sweare by Baal) then shall they be built in the middes of my people.

King James (Authorized) Version

And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

Translation for Translators

And if the people of the other nations whose armies have invaded Israel learn the religious customs of my people, and if they learn that I am listening when they solemnly promise that they will do something good, like they taught my people to believe that their god Baal was listening when they made solemn promises, I will cause them to become prosperous, and they also will be my people.

Unlocked Literal Bible

It will come about that if those nations carefully learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name 'As Yahweh lives' just as they have taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the midst of my people.

Noah Webster Bible

World English Bible

It will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As Yahweh lives;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the middle of my people.

Young's Literal Translation

And it hath come to pass, If they learn well the ways of My people, To swear by My name, 'Jehovah liveth,' As they taught My people to swear by Baal, Then they have been built up in the midst of My people.

Context

A Message for Israel’s Neighbors

¹⁵But after I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land.¹⁶And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.¹⁷But if they will not obey, then I will uproot that nation; I will uproot it and destroy it, declares the LORD.”

Summary

In this verse, God is calling His people to repentance and obedience, urging them to learn from their mistakes and turn back to Him. By following His ways and walking in His paths, they will find rest for their souls. The promise of restoration and blessing is given to those who heed God's call and choose to live according to His will. This verse underscores the importance of humility, submission, and faithfulness in the relationship between God and His people. It serves as a reminder of God's mercy and grace, even in the midst of discipline and correction.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

swear by my name-- (Jer 4:2; Isa 19:18; Isa 65:16); that is, confess solemnly the true God. built--be made spiritually and temporally prosperous: fixed in sure habitations (compare Jer 24:6; Jer 42:10; Jer 45:4; Psa 87:4-5; Eph 2:20-21; Pe1 2:5).