1This is Yahweh’s message that came to Jeremiah about the drought.
2"Judah mourns, and its city gates are weak and failing. Its people sit on the ground dressed in black, and the cry of Jerusalem rises up.
3Their leaders send their servants for water. They go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with empty containers. They are disappointed and confused, and they cover their heads.
4Because the ground is cracked, since there has been no rain in the land. The farmers are disappointed. They cover their heads.
5Yes, even the deer in the field gives birth and then abandons its young, because there is no grass.
6The wild donkeys stand on the dry hilltops. They gasp for air like jackals. Their vision fails because there is no greenery.
7Even though our sins testify against us, act for your reputation, Yahweh; for our rebellions are many. We have sinned against you.
8You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of trouble, why should you act like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stops for only one night?
9Why should you be like a frightened person, like a strong person who cannot save? Yet you, Yahweh, are among us, and we are known by your name. Don't abandon us.
10Yahweh says to these people, "They have loved to wander. They have not held back their feet. Therefore Yahweh does not accept them. Now he will remember their sin and punish them for their wrongdoings."
11Yahweh said to me, "Do not pray for these people's well-being.
12When they fast, I will not listen to their cries; and when they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with war, famine, and sickness."
13Then I said, "Oh, Lord Yahweh! Look, the prophets are telling them, 'You will not see war, nor will you suffer famine; but I will give you lasting peace in this place.'"
14Then Yahweh said to me, "The prophets are speaking lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them, nor did I speak to them. They prophesy to you lying visions, false predictions, foolish fantasies, and deceptions from their own hearts.
15Therefore, Yahweh says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, 'War and famine will not be in this land,' those prophets will die by war and famine.
16The people to whom they prophesy will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. No one will bury them—neither their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters—for I will pour their wickedness upon them."
17"You must tell them this word: 'Let my eyes shed tears day and night without stopping, for the virgin daughter of my people is shattered with a great wound, a very severe injury.'"
18If I go out into the countryside, I see people killed by swords! If I go into the city, I see people sick from hunger! Even the prophets and priests travel throughout the land, but they don't understand anything.”
19Have you completely rejected Judah? Does your soul hate Zion? Why have you wounded us so severely that we cannot be healed? We hoped for peace, but no good came; we hoped for a time of healing, but instead, there is only terror!
20Yahweh, we admit our wickedness and the wrongdoing of our ancestors, because we have sinned against you.
21Don't despise us for the sake of your reputation. Don't disgrace the throne of your glory. Remember us, and don't break your agreement with us.
22Can any of the worthless gods of the nations make it rain? Or can the sky itself provide showers? Aren't you, Yahweh our God, the one who does this? Therefore we will wait for you, because you made all these things.