Jeremiah 21 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Jerusalem Will Fall to Nebuchadnezzar

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, saying, (2Ki 25:18; 2Ch 34:8; Jer 20:1; Jer 29:25; Jer 35:4; Jer 37:3)

2Ki 25:182Ch 34:8Jer 20:1Jer 29:25Jer 35:4Jer 37:3

2 “Inquire of the Lord for us, for Nebuchadnezzar^[1] king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the Lord will deal with us according to all his wonderful deeds and will make him withdraw from us.” (2Ki 25:1; Ps 105:2; Ps 105:5; Jer 37:7)

2Ki 25:1Ps 105:2Ps 105:5Jer 37:7

3 Then Jeremiah said to them: “Thus you shall say to Zedekiah, 4 ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands and with which you are fighting against the king of Babylon and against the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls. And I will bring them together into the midst of this city. (Isa 13:4; Jer 32:5; Jer 37:10) 5 I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and strong arm, in anger and in fury and in great wrath. (Ex 6:6; De 4:34; De 29:28; Jer 27:5; Jer 32:17; Jer 32:21; Jer 32:37; Eze 20:33)

Ex 6:6De 4:34De 29:28Jer 27:5Jer 32:17Jer 32:21Jer 32:37Eze 20:33

6 And I will strike down the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast. They shall die of a great pestilence. 7 Afterward, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his servants and the people in this city who survive the pestilence, sword, and famine into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of their enemies, into the hand of those who seek their lives. He shall strike them down with the edge of the sword. He shall not pity them or spare them or have compassion.’ (De 28:50; 2Ch 36:17; Jer 37:17; Jer 39:5; Jer 52:9; Eze 5:11)

De 28:502Ch 36:17Jer 37:17Jer 39:5Jer 52:9Eze 5:11

8 “And to this people you shall say: ‘Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. (De 30:15; De 30:19; Jer 38:2) 9 He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, but he who goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and shall have his life as a prize of war. (Jer 15:2; Jer 37:13; Jer 39:18; Jer 45:5)

Jer 15:2Jer 37:13Jer 39:18Jer 45:5

10 For I have set my face against this city for harm and not for good, declares the Lord: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.’ (Le 20:3; Le 20:5; 2Ch 36:19; Ps 34:16; Jer 14:11; Jer 21:7; Jer 34:2; Jer 37:8; Jer 37:10; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:23; Jer 39:8; Jer 44:11; Jer 52:13; Eze 14:8; Am 9:4)

Le 20:3Le 20:52Ch 36:19Ps 34:16Jer 14:11Jer 21:7Jer 34:2Jer 37:8Jer 37:10Jer 38:17Jer 38:23Jer 39:8Jer 44:11Jer 52:13Eze 14:8Am 9:4

Message to the House of David

11 “And to the house of the king of Judah say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, 12 O house of David! Thus says the Lord: “Execute justice in the morning, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed, lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of your evil deeds.’” (Ps 101:8; Jer 4:4; Jer 22:3; Jer 22:16; Zec 7:9)

Ps 101:8Jer 4:4Jer 22:3Jer 22:16Zec 7:9

13 “Behold, I am against you, O inhabitant of the valley, O rock of the plain, declares the Lord; you who say, ‘Who shall come down against us, or who shall enter our habitations?’ (Jer 21:10; Jer 49:4; Eze 13:8) 14 I will punish you according to the fruit of your deeds, declares the Lord; I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is around her.” (Pr 1:31; Isa 3:10; Jer 9:25; Eze 20:47)

Pr 1:31Isa 3:10Jer 9:25Eze 20:47

New International Version

God rejects Zedekiah’s request

1 The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said: 2 ‘Enquire now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar^[1] king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.’ 3 But Jeremiah answered them, ‘Tell Zedekiah, 4 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians^[2] who are outside the wall besieging you. And I will gather them inside this city. 5 I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in furious anger and in great wrath. 6 I will strike down those who live in this city – both man and beast – and they will die of a terrible plague. 7 After that, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague, sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. He will put them to the sword; he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.” 8 ‘Furthermore, tell the people, “This is what the Lord says: see, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives. 10 I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.” 11 ‘Moreover, say to the royal house of Judah, “Hear the word of the Lord. 12 This is what the Lord says to you, house of David: ‘ “Administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done – burn with no-one to quench it. 13 I am against you, Jerusalem, you who live above this valley on the rocky plateau, declares the Lord – you who say, ‘Who can come against us? Who can enter our refuge?’ 14 I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the Lord. I will kindle a fire in your forests that will consume everything around you.” ’

New International Reader’s Version

The Lord refuses Zedekiah’s appeal

1 A message from the LORD came to Jeremiah. It came when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur to Jeremiah. Pashhur was the son of Malkijah. Zedekiah sent Zephaniah the priest along with him. Zephaniah was the son of Maaseiah. They said to Jeremiah, 2 ‘Ask the LORD to help us. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. In the past the LORD did wonderful things for us. Maybe he’ll do them again. Then Nebuchadnezzar will pull his armies back from us.’ 3 But Jeremiah answered them, ‘Tell Zedekiah and his people, 4 “The LORD is the God of Israel. He says, ‘The king of Babylon and his armies are all around this city. They are getting ready to attack you. You have weapons of war in your hands to fight against them. But I am about to turn your weapons against you. And I will bring your enemies inside this city. 5 I myself will fight against you. I will reach out my powerful hand and mighty arm. I will come against you with all my great anger. 6 I will strike down those who live in this city. I will kill people and animals alike. They will die of a terrible plague. 7 After that, I will hand you over to your enemies. They want to kill you,’ announces the LORD. ‘I will hand over Zedekiah, the king of Judah, and his officials. I will also hand over the people in this city who live through the plague, war and hunger. All of them will be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. He will kill them with swords. He will show them no mercy. He will not feel sorry for them. In fact, he will not have any concern for them at all.’ ” 8 ‘Tell the people, “The LORD says, ‘I am offering you a choice. You can choose the way that leads to life. Or you can choose the way that leads to death. 9 Those who stay in this city will die of war, hunger or plague. But suppose some go out and give themselves up to the Babylonians attacking you. They will live. They will escape with their lives. 10 I have decided to do this city harm and not good,’ announces the LORD. ‘It will be handed over to the king of Babylon. And he will destroy it with fire.’ ” 11 ‘Also speak to Judah’s royal family. Tell them, “Listen to the LORD’s message. 12 Here is what the LORD says to you who belong to David’s royal house. ‘ “ ‘Every morning do what is right and fair. Save those who have been robbed. Set them free from the people who have treated them badly. If you do not, my anger will blaze out against you. It will burn like fire because of the evil things you have done. No one will be able to put it out. 13 Jerusalem, I am against you,’ announces the LORD. ‘You live above this valley. You are on a high, rocky plain. And you say, “Who can come against us? Who can enter our place of safety?” 14 But I will punish you in keeping with what you have done,’ announces the LORD. ‘I will start a fire in your forests. It will burn down everything around you.’ ” ’

King James Version

1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying, 2 Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us. 3 Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah: 4 Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city. 5 And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath. 6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence. 7 And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy. 8 And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. 9 He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey. 10 For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire. 11 And touching the house of the king of Judah, say , Hear ye the word of the LORD; 12 O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it , because of the evil of your doings. 13 Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations? 14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.

Einheitsübersetzung 2016

Ankündigung der Eroberung Jerusalems

1 Das Wort, das vom HERRN an Jeremia erging, als König Zidkija den Paschhur, den Sohn Malkijas, und den Priester Zefanja, den Sohn Maasejas, zu ihm sandte mit dem Auftrag: 2 Befrag doch den HERRN für uns! Denn Nebukadnezzar, der König von Babel, führt gegen uns Krieg; vielleicht handelt der HERR an uns wie bei all seinen früheren Wundern, sodass jener von uns abziehen muss. 3 Jeremia aber antwortete ihnen: Meldet Zidkija Folgendes: 4 So spricht der HERR, der Gott Israels: Siehe, ich drehe in eurer Hand die Waffen um, mit denen ihr vor der Mauer gegen den König von Babel und die Chaldäer, die euch belagern, kämpft, und hole sie ins Innere dieser Stadt. 5 Ich selbst kämpfe gegen euch mit hoch erhobener Hand und starkem Arm, mit Zorn, Grimm und großem Groll. 6 Ich schlage die Einwohner dieser Stadt, Mensch und Vieh; an schwerer Pest sollen sie sterben. 7 Und danach - Spruch des HERRN - liefere ich Zidkija, den König von Juda, seine Diener und das Volk, das in dieser Stadt der Pest, dem Schwert und dem Hunger entronnen ist, der Hand Nebukadnezzars, des Königs von Babel, aus, der Hand ihrer Feinde und der Hand derer, die ihnen nach dem Leben trachten. Er wird sie mit scharfem Schwert erschlagen, ohne Mitleid, ohne Schonung, ohne Erbarmen. 8 Zu diesem Volk aber sollst du sagen: So spricht der HERR: Siehe, den Weg des Lebens und den Weg des Todes lege ich euch vor. 9 Wer in dieser Stadt bleibt, der stirbt durch Schwert, Hunger und Pest. Wer aber hinausgeht und sich den Chaldäern, die euch belagern, ergibt, der wird überleben und sein Leben wie ein Beutestück gewinnen. (Jer 38:2) 10 Denn ich habe mein Angesicht gegen diese Stadt gerichtet zum Unheil, nicht zum Heil - Spruch des HERRN. Der Hand des Königs von Babel wird sie ausgeliefert und er wird sie mit Feuer verbrennen.

Gegen die Könige von Juda

11 An das Haus des Königs von Juda: / Hört das Wort des HERRN! 12 Haus David! - so spricht der HERR: / Haltet jeden Morgen gerechtes Gericht! Rettet den Ausgeplünderten / aus der Hand des Gewalttäters, damit nicht mein Zorn wie Feuer losbricht, / brennt und niemand löschen kann, / wegen der Bosheit ihrer Taten! (Jer 4:4; Jer 22:3) 13 Siehe, ich gehe gegen dich vor, du Stadt, / die im Tal wohnt, / du Fels in der Ebene - Spruch des HERRN. Ihr freilich sagt: Wer kann über uns kommen / und eindringen in unsere Bauten? 14 Ich suche euch heim gemäß der Frucht eurer Taten / - Spruch des HERRN. Ich lege Feuer an den Wald dieser Stadt, / das ringsum alles verzehrt. (Jer 50:32)