(KJV) Jeremiah 14¹

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⥃Drought, Famine, Sword, and Plague

[1] The word² of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth³.⁴ [2] Judah mourneth⁵, and the gates⁶ thereof languish; they⁷ are black unto the ground; and the cry⁸ of Jerusalem is gone up. [3] And their nobles⁹ have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits¹⁰, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were¹¹ ashamed and confounded, and covered¹² their heads. [4] Because the ground¹³ is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen¹⁴ were ashamed, they covered their heads. [5] Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook [it], because there was no grass.¹⁵ [6] And the wild¹⁶ asses did stand in the high places, they¹⁷ snuffed up the wind like dragons; their¹⁸ eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass.

[7] [¶]O Lord, though¹⁹ our iniquities testify against us, do²⁰ thou [it] for thy name’s sake: for our²¹ backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. [8] O the hope²² of Israel, the saviour²³ thereof in time²⁴ of trouble, why²⁵ shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring²⁶ man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night? [9] Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man [that] cannot²⁷ save? yet thou, O Lord, [art²⁸] in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name²⁹; leave³⁰ us not.

[10] Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Thus have they³¹ loved to wander, they have not refrained³² their feet, therefore the Lord³³ doth not accept them; he will³⁴ now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. [11] Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for [their] good.³⁵ [12] When they fast³⁶, I will not hear their cry; and when³⁷ they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but³⁸ I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

[13] [¶]Then said I, Ah³⁹, Lord God! behold⁴⁰, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace⁴¹ in this place. [14] Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets⁴² prophesy lies in my name: I sent⁴³ them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination⁴⁴, and a thing of nought, and the⁴⁵ deceit of their heart. [15] Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not⁴⁶ be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. [16] And the people⁴⁷ to whom they prophesy shall be cast⁴⁸ out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for⁴⁹ I will pour their wickedness upon them.

[17] Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine⁵⁰ eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for⁵¹ the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very⁵² grievous blow. [18] If I go forth⁵³ into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea⁵⁴, both the prophet and the priest go about⁵⁵ into a land that they know not.

⥃A Prayer for Mercy ^{[ Isaiah 63:15–19 ]}

[19] Hast thou utterly⁵⁶ rejected Judah? hath⁵⁷ thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and [there is] no healing⁵⁸ for us? we⁵⁹ looked for peace, and [there is] no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble! [20] We acknowledge⁶⁰, O Lord, our wickedness, [and] the iniquity of our fathers: for⁶¹ we have sinned against thee. [21] Do not abhor⁶² [us], for⁶³ thy name’s sake, do not disgrace⁶⁴ the throne of thy glory: remember⁶⁵, break not thy covenant with us. [22] Are⁶⁶ there [any] among the vanities⁶⁷ of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? [art⁶⁸] not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait⁶⁹ upon thee: for thou hast made all these [things].

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