#ScriptureReflection - Jeremiah 14:11-22 (8.14.20)

¹¹ Then the Lord said to me: Do not intercede for the well-being of this people. ¹² If they fast, I will not listen to their supplication. If they sacrifice burnt offerings or grain offerings, I will take no pleasure in them. Rather, I will destroy them with the sword, famine, and plague.

¹³ “Ah! Lord God,” I replied, “it is the prophets who say to them, ‘You shall not see the sword; famine shall not befall you. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”

¹⁴ These prophets utter lies in my name, the Lord said to me: I did not send them; I gave them no command, nor did I speak to them. They prophesy to you lying visions, foolish divination, deceptions from their own imagination. ¹⁵ Therefore, thus says the Lord: Concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, “Sword and famine shall not befall this land”: by sword and famine shall these prophets meet their end. ¹⁶ The people to whom they prophesy shall be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of famine and the sword. No one shall bury them, their wives, their sons, or their daughters, for I will pour out upon them their own wickedness.

  ¹⁷ Speak to them this word:

Let my eyes stream with tears
    night and day, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
    the virgin daughter of my people,
    over her incurable wound.
 
¹⁸ If I walk out into the field,
    look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
    look! victims of famine.
 
Both prophet and priest ply their trade
    in a land they do not know.
¹⁹ Have you really cast Judah off?
    Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
    that cannot be healed?
 
We wait for peace, to no avail;
    for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
 
²⁰ We recognize our wickedness, Lord,
    the guilt of our ancestors:
    we have sinned against you.
 
²¹ Do not reject us, for your name’s sake,
    do not disgrace your glorious throne.
    Remember! Do not break your covenant with us.
 
²² Among the idols of the nations are there any that give rain?
    Or can the mere heavens send showers?
 
Is it not you, Lord,
    our God, to whom we look?
 
    You alone do all these things.


Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)