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.”