1. This message came to Jeremiah from the lord, explaining why he was holding back the rain:
2. “Judah wilts;commerce at the city gates grinds to a halt.All the people sit on the ground in mourning,and a great cry rises from Jerusalem.
3. The nobles send servants to get water,but all the wells are dry.The servants return with empty pitchers,confused and desperate,covering their heads in grief.
4. The ground is parchedand cracked for lack of rain.The farmers are deeply troubled;they, too, cover their heads.
5. Even the doe abandons her newborn fawnbecause there is no grass in the field.
6. The wild donkeys stand on the bare hillspanting like thirsty jackals.They strain their eyes looking for grass,but there is none to be found.”
7. The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, lord,but help us for the sake of your own reputation.We have turned away from youand sinned against you again and again.
8. O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble,why are you like a stranger to us?Why are you like a traveler passing through the land,stopping only for the night?
9. Are you also confused?Is our champion helpless to save us?You are right here among us, lord.We are known as your people.Please don’t abandon us now!”
10. So this is what the lord says to his people:“You love to wander far from meand do not restrain yourselves.Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people.Now I will remember all your wickednessand will punish you for your sins.”
11. Then the lord said to me, “Do not pray for these people anymore.