Jeremiah 11

1 The word that came to Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu) from יהוה, saying,

2 “Hear you the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah (Yehudah), and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim);

3 And say you unto them, ‘Thus saith יהוה God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael): “Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt (Mitsrayim), from the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and do them, according to all which I command you; so shall you be My people, and I will be your God (Elohim),’

5 That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day.”’” Then answered I, and said, “So be it, O יהוה.”

6 Then יהוה said unto me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah (Yehudah), and in the streets of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), saying, ‘Hear you the words of this covenant, and do them.

7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt (Mitsrayim), even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, “Obey My voice.”

8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart; therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did them not.’”

9 And יהוה said unto me, “A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah (Yehudah), and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods (elohim) to serve them: the house of Yisrael and the house of Judah (Yehudah) have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.”

11 Therefore thus saith יהוה: “Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto Me, I will not hearken unto them.

12 Then shall the cities of Judah (Yehudah) and inhabitants of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) go, and cry unto the gods (elohim) unto whom they offer incense; but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

13 For according to the number of your cities were your gods (elohim), O Judah (Yehudah); and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) have you set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto the Baal.

14 Therefore pray not you for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them, for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto Me for their trouble.

15 What hath My beloved to do in Mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from you? When you doest evil, then you rejoicest.

16 יהוה called your name, ‘A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit;’ with the noise of a great tumult He hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

17 For יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot), who planted you, hath pronounced evil against you, for the evil of the house of Yisrael and of the house of Judah (Yehudah), which they have done against themselves to provoke Me to anger in offering incense unto the Baal.”

18 And יהוה hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it; then You shewedst me their doings.

19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.”

20 But, O יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot), that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see Your vengeance on them, for unto You have I revealed my cause.

21 Therefore thus saith יהוה of the men of Anathoth, that seek your life, saying, ‘Prophesy not in the name of יהוה, that you die not by our hand’;

22 Therefore thus saith יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot): ‘Behold, I will punish them; the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine;

23 And there shall be no remnant of them; for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.’”