45 The words, “Then I said” are not in the text but there is a general consensus that the words of vv. 18–19a are the words of Jeremiah. These words are supplied in the translation for clarity.
46 The meaning of this word is uncertain. The translation is based on the redivision and repointing of a word that occurs only here in the and whose pattern of formation is unparalleled in the Hebrew Bible. The reads מַבְלִיגִיתִי (mavligiti) which provisionally derives from a verb root meaning “to gleam” or “to shine.” However, notes that the text is dubious (cf. 114 מַבְלִיגִית). The text is commonly emended to מִבְּלִי גְּהֹת (mibbéli géhot) which is a Qal infinitive from a verb meaning “to heal” preceded by a compound negative “for lack of, to be at a loss for” (cf., e.g., מַבְלִיגִית and 174 גּהה). This reading is supported by the Greek text which has an adjective meaning “incurable,” which is, however, connected with the preceding verse, i.e., “they will bite you incurably.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

My joy is gone; grief is upon me;

my heart is sick within me.

Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people

from the length and breadth of the land:

“Is the Lord not in Zion?

Is her King not in her?”

“Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images

and with their foreign idols?”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

You who are my Comforter in sorrow,

my heart is faint within me.

Listen to the cry of my people

from a land far away:

“Is the Lord not in Zion?

Is her King no longer there?”

“Why have they aroused my anger with their images,

with their worthless foreign idols?”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

My joy has flown away;

grief has settled on me.

My heart is sick.

Listen—the cry of my dear people

from a faraway land,

“Is the Lord no longer in Zion,

her King not within her?”

Why have they angered me

with their carved images,

with their worthless foreign idols?

NLTNew Living Translation

My grief is beyond healing;

my heart is broken.

Listen to the weeping of my people;

it can be heard all across the land.

“Has the Lord abandoned Jerusalem?” the people ask.

“Is her King no longer there?”

“Oh, why have they provoked my anger with their carved idols

and their worthless foreign gods?” says the Lord.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“My comfort is gone from me,

sorrow is on me,

my heart is sick.

Look, the sound of the cry for help of the daughter of my people

from a distant land,

‘Is Yahweh not in Zion?

Is her king not in her?’

Why have they provoked me to anger with their images,

with idols of a foreign land?”

When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the Lord in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?

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Jeremiah 8:18–19a

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