Logos Bible Study

Jeremiah 17:14–18

The NET BibleOther versions

English

Arabic

Czech

French

German

Hebrew

Hungarian

Italian

Korean

Latin

Portuguese

Russian

Simplified Chinese

Spanish

Traditional Chinese

17:14Lord, grant me relief from my suffering

so that I may have some relief.

Rescue me from those who persecute me

so that I may be rescued.27

17:15Listen to what they are saying to me.28

They are saying, “Where are the things the Lord threatens us with?

Come on! Let’s see them happen!”29

17:16But I have not pestered you to bring disaster.30

I have not desired the time of irreparable devastation.31

You know that.

You are fully aware of every word that I have spoken.32

17:17Do not cause me dismay!33

You are my source of safety in times of trouble.

17:18May those who persecute me be disgraced.

Do not let me be disgraced.

May they be dismayed.

Do not let me be dismayed.

Bring days of disaster on them.

Bring on them the destruction they deserve.”34

Read in Logos

Footnotes

  1. 27 The translation fills in the details of the metaphor from a preceding context (15:18) and from the following context (17:18). The literal translation “Heal me and I will be healed. Rescue me and I will be rescued.” does not make much sense if these details are not filled in. The metaphor is filled in for clarity for the average reader.
  2. 28 Heb “Behold, they are saying to me.”
  3. 29 Heb “Where is the word of the Lord. Let it come [or come to pass] please.”
  4. 30 Heb “I have not run after you for the sake of disaster.” The translation follows the suggestion of some ancient versions. The Hebrew text reads “I have not run from being a shepherd after you.” The translation follows two Greek versions (Aquila and Symmachus) and the in reading the word “evil” or “disaster” here in place of the word “shepherd” in the Hebrew text. The issue is mainly one of vocalization. The versions mentioned are reading a form מֵרָעָה (mera’ah) instead of מֵרֹעֶה (mero’eh). There does not appear to be any clear case of a prophet being called a shepherd, especially in Jeremiah where it is invariably used of the wicked leaders/rulers of Judah, the leaders/rulers of the enemy that he brings to punish them, or the righteous ruler that he will bring in the future. Moreover, there are no cases where the preposition “after” is used with the verb “shepherd.” Parallelism also argues for the appropriateness of this reading; “disaster” parallels the “incurable day.” The thought also parallels the argument thus far. Other than 11:20; 12:3; 15:15 where he has prayed for vindication by the Lord punishing his persecutors as they deserve, he has invariably responded to the Lord’s word of disaster with laments and prayers for his people (see 4:19–21; 6:24; 8:18; 10:19–25; 14:7–9, 19–22).
  5. 31 Heb “the incurable day.” For the use of this word see the note on .
  6. 32 Heb “that which goes out of my lip is right in front of your face.”
  7. 33 Heb “do not be a source of dismay for me.” For this nuance of מְחִתָּה (mékhittah) rather than “terror” as many of the English versions have it see 370 מְחִתָּה 1.b and the usage in Prov 21:15. Compare also the usage of the related verb which occurs in the next verse (see also 369 חָתַת Qal.2).
  8. 34 Or “complete destruction.” See the translator’s note on . Jeremiah now does what he says he has not wanted to do or been hasty to do. He is, however, seeking his own vindication and that of God whose threats they have belittled.

The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;

save me, and I shall be saved,

for you are my praise.

Behold, they say to me,

“Where is the word of the Lord?

Let it come!”

I have not run away from being your shepherd,

nor have I desired the day of sickness.

You know what came out of my lips;

it was before your face.

Be not a terror to me;

you are my refuge in the day of disaster.

Let those be put to shame who persecute me,

but let me not be put to shame;

let them be dismayed,

but let me not be dismayed;

bring upon them the day of disaster;

destroy them with double destruction!

Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;

save me and I will be saved,

for you are the one I praise.

They keep saying to me,

“Where is the word of the Lord?

Let it now be fulfilled!”

I have not run away from being your shepherd;

you know I have not desired the day of despair.

What passes my lips is open before you.

Do not be a terror to me;

you are my refuge in the day of disaster.

Let my persecutors be put to shame,

but keep me from shame;

let them be terrified,

but keep me from terror.

Bring on them the day of disaster;

destroy them with double destruction.

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;

save me, and I will be saved,

for you are my praise.

Hear how they keep challenging me,

“Where is the word of the Lord?

Let it come!”

But I have not run away from being your shepherd,

and I have not longed for the fatal day.

You know my words were spoken in your presence.

Don’t become a terror to me.

You are my refuge in the day of disaster.

Let my persecutors be put to shame,

but don’t let me be put to shame.

Let them be terrified, but don’t let me be terrified.

Bring on them the day of disaster;

shatter them with total destruction.

Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

NLTNew Living Translation

O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed;

if you save me, I will be truly saved.

My praises are for you alone!

People scoff at me and say,

“What is this ‘message from the Lord’ you talk about?

Why don’t your predictions come true?”

Lord, I have not abandoned my job

as a shepherd for your people.

I have not urged you to send disaster.

You have heard everything I’ve said.

Lord, don’t terrorize me!

You alone are my hope in the day of disaster.

Bring shame and dismay on all who persecute me,

but don’t let me experience shame and dismay.

Bring a day of terror on them.

Yes, bring double destruction upon them!

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Heal me, O Yahweh, and I will be healed,

save me, and I will be saved,

for you are my praise.

Look, they are saying to me,

“Where is the word of Yahweh?

Please let it come.”

But I, I have not run away from being a shepherd who follows you,

and I have not desired the disastrous day.

You, you know the pronouncement of my lips,

it was before your face.

You must not become to me a terror,

you are my refuge in the day of disaster.

Let my persecutors be put to shame,

but as for me, do not let me be put to shame.

Let them be dismayed,

but as for me, do not let me be dismayed.

Bring on them the day of disaster,

and with double destruction, destroy them.

Copyright 2012 Lexham Press

KJV 1900King James Version

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now. As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee. Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil. Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

Public Domain