The Great Drought

Jeremiah 14

Jeremiah describes a severe drought in which the ground cracks, the wells run dry, and even wild animals abandon their young for lack of grass, while the people confess their sins and plead for the Lord's help. The Lord tells Jeremiah not to intercede for the people, warning that prophets who promise peace and safety are prophesying lies in his name and will themselves perish by sword and famine.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHERE came also to Jeremias a word of the Lord concerning the drought.

BrentonAnd the Word of the Lord came to Jeremias concerning the Drought.

GreekΚΑΙ ἘΓΕΝΕΤΟ ΛΟΓΟΣ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΠΡΟΣ ἹΕΡΕΜΙΑΝ ΠΕΡΙ ΤΗΣ ἈΒΡΟΧΙΑΣ.

KJVThe word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

JPSThe word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the droughts. .

ThomsonJudea mourned and her gates were deserted: and darkness overspread the land and the cry of Jerusalem ascended.

BrentonJudea has mourned, and her gates are emptied, and are darkened upon the earth; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

GreekἘπένθησεν ἡ Ἰουδαία, καὶ αἱ πύλαι αὐτῆς ἐκενώθησαν, καὶ ἐσκοτώθησαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἡ κραυγὴ τῆς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἀνέβη·

KJVJudah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

JPSJudah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish, They bow down in black unto the ground; And the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

ThomsonWhen her nobles sent their underlings for water; they went to the wells and found no water and returned with their vessels empty.

BrentonAnd her nobles have sent their little ones to the water: they came to the wells, and found no water: and brought back their vessels empty.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ μεγιστᾶνες αὐτῆς ἀπέστειλαν τοὺς νεωτέρους αὐτῶν ἐφʼ ὕδωρ· ἤλθοσαν ἐπὶ τὰ φρέατα, καὶ οὐχ εὕροσαν ὕδωρ, καὶ ἀπέστρεψαν τὰ ἀγγεῖα αὐτῶν κενά.

KJVAnd their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

JPSAnd their nobles send their lads for water: They come to the pits, and find no water; Their vessels return empty; They are ashamed and confounded, and cover their heads.

ThomsonA stop was put to the works of the field because there was no rain. The husbandmen were confounded; they covered their heads.

BrentonAnd the labours of the land failed, because there was no rain: the husbandmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

GreekΚαὶ τὰ ἔργα τῆς γῆς ἐξέλιπεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἦν ὑετός· ᾐσχύνθησαν οἱ γεωργοὶ, ἐπεκάλυψαν τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν.

KJVBecause the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

JPSBecause of the ground which is cracked, For there hath been no rain in the land, The plowmen are ashamed, they cover their heads.

ThomsonThe hinds calved in the field and left their young because there was not a [green] plant.

BrentonAnd hinds calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαφοι ἐν ἀγρῷ ἔτεκον, καὶ ἐγκατέλιπον, ὅτι οὐκ ἦν βοτάνη.

KJVYea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.

JPSYea, the hind also in the field calveth, and forsaketh her young, Because there is no grass,

ThomsonThe wild asses stood in the forests and snuffed up the wind: their eyes failed because there was no grass.

BrentonThe wild asses stood by the forests, and snuffed up the wind; their eyes failed, because there was no grass.

GreekὌνοι ἄγριοι ἔστησαν ἐπὶ νάπας, καὶ εἵλκυσαν ἄνεμον, ἐξέλιπον οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν, ὅτι οὐκ ἦν χόρτος.

KJVAnd the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.

JPSAnd the wild asses stand on the high hills, They gasp for air like jackals; Their eyes fail, because there is no herbage.

ThomsonOur sins have risen up against us. O Lord, deal with us for Thine own sake: for our sins are many in Thy sight-for we have sinned against Thee.

BrentonOur sins have risen up against us: O Lord, do thou for us for thine own sake; for our sins are many before thee; for we have sinned against thee.

GreekΑἱ ἁμαρτίαι ἡμῶν ἀντέστησαν ἡμῖν· Κύριε ποίησον ἡμῖν ἕνεκέν σου, ὅτι πολλαὶ αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ἡμῶν ἐναντίον σου, ὅτι σοι ἡμάρτομεν.

KJVO LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

JPSThough our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, work Thou for Thy name’s sake; For our backslidings are many, We have sinned against Thee.

ThomsonThou, O Lord, art the hope of Israel, and savest in time of troubles. Why art Thou become as a stranger in the land-as a traveller turning aside for a lodging?

BrentonO Lord, thou art the hope of Israel, and deliverest us in time of troubles; why art thou become as a sojourner upon the land, or as one born in the land, yet turning aside for a resting-place?

GreekὙπομονὴ Ἰσραὴλ Κύριε, καὶ σώζεις ἐν καιρῷ κακῶν· ἱνατί ἑγενήθης ὡσεὶ πάροικος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ὡς αὐτόχθων ἐκκλίνων εἰς κατάλυμα;

KJVO the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

JPSO Thou hope of Israel, The Saviour thereof in time of trouble, Why shouldest Thou be as a stranger in the land, And as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

ThomsonWilt Thou be like a man asleep or like a head of a family who cannot save? as Thou, O Lord, art among us and we are called by Thy name, O! do not forget us.

BrentonWilt thou be as a man asleep, or as a strong man that cannot save? yet thou art among us, O Lord, and thy name is called upon us; forget us not.

GreekΜὴ ἔσῃ ὥσπερ ἄνθρωπος ὑπνῶν, ἢ ὡς ἀνὴρ οὐ δυνάμενος σώζειν; καὶ σὺ ἐν ἡμῖν εἶ Κύριε, καὶ τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐπικέκληται ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς· μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ ἡμῶν.

KJVWhy shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

JPSWhy shouldest thou be as a man overcome, As a mighty man that cannot save? Yet Thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, And Thy name is called upon us; Leave us not.

ThomsonThus saith the Lord to this people: They have loved to wander and did not refrain, therefore God hath not prospered their ways, He will now remember their iniquity.

BrentonThus saith the Lord to this people, They have loved to wander, and they have not spared, therefore God has not prospered them; now will he remember their iniquity.

GreekΟὕτως λέγει Κύριος τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ, ἠγάπησαν κινεῖν πόδας αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἐφείσαντο, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς οὐκ εὐώδωσεν ἐν αὐτοῖς· νῦν μνησθήσεται τῆς ἀδικίας αὐτῶν.

KJVThus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

JPSThus saith the LORD unto this people: Even so have they loved to wander, They have not refrained their feet; Therefore the LORD doth not accept them, Now will He remember their iniquity, And punish their sins.

ThomsonThen the Lord said to me, Pray not for the prosperity of this people;

BrentonAnd the Lord said to me, Pray not for this people for their good:

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς μὲ, μὴ προσεύχου περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου εἰς ἀγαθὰ,

KJVThen said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto me: ‘Pray not for this people for their good.

Thomsonfor though they fast I will not hear their prayer; and though they offer whole burnt offerings and sacrifices, I will not accept them. For with sword, and with famine, and with pestilence, I will utterly consume them.

Brentonfor though they fast, I will not hear their supplication; and though they offer whole-burnt-offerings and sacrifices, I will take no pleasure in them: for I will consume them with sword, and with famine, and with pestilence.

Greekὅτι ἐὰν νηστεύσωσιν, οὐκ εἰσακούσομαι τῆς δεήσεως αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐὰν προσενέγκωσιν ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ θυσίας, οὐκ εὐδοκήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἐν μαχαίρᾳ καὶ ἐν λιμῷ καὶ ἐν θανάτῳ ἐγὼ συντελέσω αὐτούς.

KJVWhen they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

JPSWhen they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt-offering and meal-offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.’

ThomsonThereupon I said, O self-existent Lord! behold their prophets prophesy and say, You shall not see the sword; nor shall there be famine among you. For I will give truth and peace in this land and in this very place.

BrentonAnd I said, O ever living Lord! behold, their prophets prophesy, and say, Ye shall not see a sword, nor shall famine be among you; for I will give truth and peace on the land, and in this place.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπα, ὁ ὢν Κύριε, ἰδοὺ οἱ προφῆται αὐτῶν προφητεύουσι, καὶ λέγουσιν, οὐκ ὄψεσθε μάχαιραν, οὐδὲ λιμὸς ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ἀλήθειαν καὶ εἰρήνην δώσω ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ.

KJVThen said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

JPSThen said I: ‘Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them: Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.’

ThomsonThen the Lord said to me: These prophets prophesy falsehood in My name; I did not send them, nor command them, nor did I speak to them. Because they prophesy to you lying visions and divinations, and auguries, and the devices of their own hearts;

BrentonThen the Lord said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, and I commanded them not, and I spoke not to them: for they prophesy to you false visions, and divinations, and auguries, and devices of their own heart.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς μὲ, ψευδῆ οἱ προφῆται προφητεύουσιν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, οὐκ ἀπέστειλα αὐτοὺς, καὶ οὐκ ἐνετειλάμην αὐτοῖς, καὶ οὐκ ἐλάλησα πρὸς αὐτούς· ὅτι ὁράσεις ψευδεῖς, καὶ μαντείας, καὶ οἰωνίσματα, καὶ προαιρέσεις καρδίας αὐτῶν αὐτοὶ προφητεύουσιν ὑμῖν.

KJVThen the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

JPSThen the LORD said unto me: ‘The prophets prophesy lies in My name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke I unto them; they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart.

Thomsontherefore thus saith the Lord concerning those prophets: Those who prophesy falsehoods in My name, and who say (though I did not send them), ’There shall be no sword nor famine in this land,’ they shall die a direful death; and by famine these prophets shall be consumed.

BrentonTherefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy lies in my name, and I sent them not, who say, Sword and famine shall not be upon this land; they shall die by a grievous death, and the prophets shall be consumed by famine.

GreekΔιατοῦτο τάδε λέγει Κύριος περὶ τῶν προφητῶν τῶν προφητευόντων ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου ψευδῆ, καὶ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀπέστειλα αὐτοὺς, οἳ λέγουσι, μάχαιρα καὶ λιμὸς οὐκ ἔσται ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ταύτης· ἐν θανάτῳ νοσερῷ ἀποθανοῦνται, καὶ ἐν λιμῷ συντελεσθήσονται οἱ προφῆται,

KJVTherefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

JPSTherefore thus saith the LORD: As for the prophets that prophesy in My name, and I sent them not, yet they say: Sword and famine shall not be in this land, by sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed;

ThomsonAnd the people to whom they prophesy, son of the sword and the famine, be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem; and there shall be none to bury them, when I pour out these evils on them.

BrentonAnd the people to whom they prophesy, they also shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, because of the sword and famine; and there shall be none to bury them: their wives also, and their sons, and their daughters shall die thus; and I will pour out their wickedness upon them.

Greekκαὶ ὁ λαὸς, οἷς αὐτοὶ προφητεύουσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἔσονται ἐῤῥιμμένοι ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς Ἱερουσαλὴμ, ἀπὸ προσώπου μαχαίρας καὶ τοῦ λιμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ θάπτων αὐτοὺς, καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτῶν, καὶ αἱ θυγατέρες αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκχεῶ ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς τὰ κακὰ αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

JPSand the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters; for I will pour their evil upon them.’

ThomsonTherefore thou shalt deliver to them this word: Collect tears for your eyes day and night and let them not fail; for with a bruise the daughter of My people is bruised, and the wound is exceedingly painful.

BrentonAnd thou shalt speak this word to them; Let your eyes shed tears day and night, and let them not cease: for the daughter of my people has been sorely bruised, and her plague is very grievous.

GreekΚαὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, καταγάγετε ἐπ ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν δάκρυα ἡμερας καὶ νυκτὸς, καὶ μὴ διαλιπέτωσαν, ὅτι συντρίμματι συνετρίβη θυγάτηρ λαοῦ μου, καὶ πληγὴ ὀδυνηρὰ σφόδρα.

KJVTherefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

JPSAnd thou shalt say this word unto them: Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, And let them not cease; For the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, With a very grievous blow.

Thomson(p) If I go out into the field, behold the slain of the sword! and if I go into the city; behold the distress of famine! seeing priest and prophet are gone to a land which they knew not:

BrentonIf I go forth into the plain, then behold the slain by the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold the distress of famine! for priest and prophet have gone to a land which they knew not.

GreekἘὰν ἐξέλθω εἰς τὸ πεδίον, καὶ ἰδοὺ τραυματίαι μαχαίρας· καὶ ἐὰν εἰσέλθω εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἰδοὺ πόνος λιμοῦ· ὅτι ἱερεὺς καὶ προφήτης ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς γῆν, ἣν οὐκ ᾔδεισαν.

KJVIf I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

JPSIf I go forth into the field, Then behold the slain with the sword! And if I enter into the city, Then behold them that are sick with famine! For both the prophet and the priest are gone about to a land, and knew it not.

Thomsonhast Thou utterly rejected Juda and is Thy soul alienated from Sion? Why hast Thou smitten us, and there is no cure for us? We waited for peace, and there was no good; for a time of healing, and behold trouble!

BrentonHast thou utterly rejected Juda? and has thy soul departed from Sion? wherefore hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we waited for peace, but there was no prosperity; for a time of healing, and behold trouble!

GreekΜὴ ἀποδοκιμάζων ἀπεδοκίμασας τὸν Ἰούδαν, καὶ ἀπὸ Σιὼν ἀπέστη ἡ ψυχή σου; ἱνατί ἔπαισας ἡμᾶς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἴασις; ὑπεμείναμεν εἰς εἰρήνην, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἀγαθὰ, εἰς καιρὸν ἰάσεως, καὶ ἰδοὺ ταραχή.

KJVHast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

JPSHast Thou utterly rejected Judah? Hath Thy soul loathed Zion? Why hast Thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; And for a time of healing, and behold terror!

ThomsonWe acknowledge, O Lord, our sins and the iniquities of our fathers-that we have sinned against Thee.

BrentonWe know, O Lord, our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers: for we have sinned before thee.

GreekἜγνωμεν Κύριε ἁμαρτήματα ἡμῶν, ἀδικίας πατέρων ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἡμάρτομεν ἐναντίον σου.

KJVWe acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

JPSWe acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, Even the iniquity of our fathers; For we have sinned against Thee.

ThomsonO be appeased for Thy name’s sake. Destroy not the throne of Thy glory; remember, O dissolve not Thy covenant with us.

BrentonRefrain for thy name's sake, destroy not the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

GreekΚόπασον διὰ τὸ ὄνομά σου, μὴ ἀπολέσῃς θρόνον δόξης σου· μνήσθητι, μὴ διασκεδάσῃς τὴν διαθήκην σου τὴν μεθʼ ἡμῶν.

KJVDo not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

JPSDo not contemn us, for Thy name’s sake, Do not dishonour the throne of Thy glory; Remember, break not Thy covenant with us.

ThomsonIs there any among the idols of the nations who can give rain? and if the heaven shed its abundance, art Thou not He who causeth it. Therefore we will wait on Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast done all these things.

BrentonIs there any one among the idols of the Gentiles that can give rain? and will the sky yield his fulness at their bidding? Art not thou he? we will even wait on thee, O Lord: for thou hast made all these things.

GreekΜὴ ἔστιν ἐν εἰδώλοις τῶν ἐθνῶν ὑετίζων; καὶ εἰ ὁ οὐρανὸς δώσει πλησμονὴν αὐτοῦ, οὐχὶ σὺ εἶ αὐτός; καὶ ὑπομενοῦμέν σε Κύριε, ὅτι σὺ ἐποίησας πάντα ταῦτα.

KJVAre there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

JPSAre there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Art not Thou He, O LORD our God, and do we not wait for Thee? For Thou hast made all these things.