Jeremiah 18:10

Verse

and if it does evil in My sight and does not listen to My voice, then I will relent of the good I had intended for it.

American Standard Version (1901)

if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Bible in Basic English

If, in that very minute, it does evil in my eyes, going against my orders, then my good purpose, which I said I would do for them, will be changed.

Douay-Rheims 1899

If it shall do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice: I will repent of the good that I have spoken to do unto it.

Free Bible Version

But if it does evil in my sight and refuses to listen to my voice, then I will change my mind regarding the good I had planned for it.

Geneva Bible 1599

But if it do euill in my sight and heare not my voyce, I will repent of ye good that I thought to do for them.

King James (Authorized) Version

If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Translation for Translators

But if the people of that nation start to do evil things and refuse to obey me, then I will not bless them as I said that I would do.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if it does evil in my eyes by not listening to my voice, then I will stop the good that I had said I would do for them.

Noah Webster Bible

If it shall do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, with which I said I would benefit them.

World English Bible

if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they not obey my voice, then I will repent of the good with which I said I would benefit them.

Young's Literal Translation

And it hath done the evil thing in Mine eyes, So as not to hearken to My voice, Then I have repented of the good That I have spoken of doing to it.

Context

The Potter and the Clay

⁹And if at another time I announce that I will build up and establish a nation or kingdom,¹⁰and if it does evil in My sight and does not listen to My voice, then I will relent of the good I had intended for it.

Summary

In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah, illustrating His sovereignty as the Divine Potter who molds and shapes nations according to His will. The message emphasizes that God is always in control and can alter His plans based on a nation's response to His guidance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and repentance, as God's judgment or blessing is contingent upon the people's actions. Ultimately, the verse conveys the idea that God's desire is for His people to turn from wickedness and walk in His ways to experience His mercy and favor.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they said, there is no hope,.... Or, "but they said" (w); not that there was no hope of the grace and mercy of God, upon their repentance and reformation, for that is before declared; but that they were so hardened in their sins, so fixed in their wicked courses, and so determined to go on in them, that there was no room for the prophet to hope of ever reclaiming them; signifying, that it was to little purpose to talk to them, or exhort them; his labour would be in vain; for they were at a point, and resolved to continue in their evil practices, let the consequences be what they would. Jarchi's note is, "but I know that they will say to thee concerning thy words, that we do not care for them;'' no, not a rush; you may as well hold your peace and say nothing; we are in no pain about future judgments, these give us no uneasiness. The Targum is, "we are turned from thy worship;'' and we are resolved to continue as we are, and not to return to say what you will: but we will walk after our own devices; God may take his way, and we will take ours; he has devised evil against us, you say, and he may bring it if he pleases; we have devised sin, and we shall go on in it: and we will do everyone the imagination of his evil heart; whatsoever our hearts suggest to us as pleasant and agreeable, that we shall do, let the issue be what it will: it is not to be thought that these people expressed themselves in so many words; but this was the language of their hearts, and of their actions, known unto the Lord, and are put into this form by him, or by the prophet, expressing the real sentiments of their minds. (w) "sed dixerunt", Schmidt; "sed dicunt", Piscator.