1. A message came to me from the Lord. He told me there wouldn't be any rain in the land. He said,
2. "Judah is filled with sadness. Its cities are wasting away. The people sob over the land. Crying is heard in Jerusalem.
3. The nobles send their servants to get water. They go to the wells. But they do not find any water. They return with empty jars. They are terrified. They do not have any hope. They cover their heads.
4. The ground is dry and cracked. There isn't any rain in the land. The farmers are terrified. They cover their heads.
5. Even the does in the fields desert their newborn fawns. There isn't any grass to eat.
6. Wild donkeys stand on the bare hilltops. They long for water as wild dogs do. Their eyesight fails because they do not have any grass to eat."
7. Our sins are a witness against us. Lord, do something for the honor of your name. We have completely turned away from you. We've sinned against you.
8. You are Israel's only hope. You save us when we're in trouble. Why are you like a stranger to us? Why are you like a traveler who stays for only one night?
9. Why are you like a man who is taken by surprise? Why are you like a soldier who can't save anyone? Lord, you are among us. And we are your people. Please don't desert us!
10. The Lord has given me a message about these people. He says, "They really love to wander away from me. Their feet go down the wrong path. I do not accept these people. I will remember the evil things they have done. I will punish them for their sins."
11. The Lord continued, "Do not pray that things will go well with them.
12. Even if they go without food, I will not listen to their cry for help. They might sacrifice burnt offerings and grain offerings. But I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with war, hunger and plague."
13. But I said, "Lord and King, the prophets keep telling them something else. They say, 'You won't have to suffer from war or hunger. Instead, the Lord will give you peace and rest in this place.' "