Jeremiah 6 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
Late 7th to early 6th century BC (c. 605-597 BC)
Location
Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah
Audience
The people of Judah, especially inhabitants of Jerusalem, leaders, priests, and prophets
Situation
Jeremiah delivers a dire warning of an impending invasion from the north as divine judgment for Judah's idolatry, injustice, and refusal to repent despite repeated calls.
Key Background
This chapter prophesies the Babylonian threat under Nebuchadnezzar II, who had recently defeated Assyria and Egypt at Carchemish (605 BC), shifting power to Babylon. Judah, weakened by internal corruption and failed alliances, faces siege imagery symbolizing God's abandonment. It echoes earlier reforms under Josiah (died 609 BC) but highlights ongoing rebellion leading to Jerusalem's fall in 586 BC.
Run for your lives, people of Benjamin! Flee from the heart of Jerusalem! Blow the in Tekoa, raise a signal fire over Beth-hakkerem — because disaster looms from the north, and massive destruction is coming.
— I will destroy her, the lovely, the one.
will come against her with their flocks — they will pitch tents all around her, each one grazing his own section.
for against her! Up! Let's attack at noon!" "No — the day is fading, the evening shadows are stretching out." "Then up! Let's attack at night and tear down her fortresses!"
This is what Yahweh, of says: "Cut down her trees and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be punished — she is full of nothing but
Like a well keeps its water fresh, so she keeps her fresh. Violence and destruction echo through her streets — sickness and wounds are always before my face.
Take this as your warning, Jerusalem, or I will from you — I will turn you into a wasteland, a land where no one lives.
This is what Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies, says: "They will strip what's left of Israel bare like someone picking the last grapes from a vine — reach your hand back through the branches again and again."
Who can I even speak to? Who would listen to my warning? Look — their are shut, they can't hear a thing. The word of Yahweh has become an insult to them — they take no pleasure in it at all.
But the of Yahweh fills me up — I am exhausted from holding it in. "Pour it out on the children in the streets and on the groups of young men gathered together. Both husband and wife will be swept up, the old along with those weighed down by years."
Their houses will be handed to others — their fields and their wives together — because I am about to out my hand against everyone living in this land." This is Yahweh's
"Because from the least of them to the greatest, every one of them chases after profit. From prophet to priest, every one of them practices deceit.
They treat my people's wound like it's nothing — saying, is is fine!' when nothing is at all.
Were they ashamed when they did things? They weren't ashamed at all — they don't even know how to blush anymore. So they will fall among those who fall; when I with them, they will stumble." Yahweh has spoken.
This is what Yahweh says: "Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask about the — ask where the good road is, and walk on it. You will find for yourselves." But they said, "We won't walk on it."
"I posted over you and said, 'Listen for the sound of the ram's horn!'" But they said, "We won't listen."
"So listen, you nations! Pay attention, you witnesses, to what will happen to them.
Listen, earth! I am bringing disaster on this people — the fruit of their own schemes — because they refused to listen to my words and rejected my
What do I care about from Sheba or fragrant cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings don't please me; your sacrifices give me no pleasure."
So this is what Yahweh says: "Watch — I am setting in front of this people. Fathers and sons will stumble over them together; neighbors and friends will be destroyed."
This is what Yahweh says: "Look — a people is coming from the land of the north, a great nation is being stirred up from the far edges of the earth.
They grip bows and spears; they are and show no mercy. Their roar is like the sea, and they ride on warhorses — drawn up in battle formation against you, Daughter Zion."
We've heard the reports about them and our hands go limp. Anguish grips us, pain a in
"Don't go out into the fields! Don't walk the roads! The enemy has swords, and is everywhere."
My dear people, put on cloth, roll in ashes. Mourn as you would for an only — weep with bitter grief, because the destroyer will come against us suddenly.
"I have made you a of among my people, a — so you can examine and test their ways.
They are all stubborn rebels, going around spreading slander. They are and — every one of them deals in corruption.
The blow with fierce heat, the is consumed by fire — but the refining goes on for nothing. The wicked are not separated out.
The refining fire burns hotter and hotter, but it's useless — the corruption can't be purged. They are called silver' because Yahweh has them."
People call them silver' because Yahweh has them.