Trust in the Lord Alone

Jeremiah 17

Jeremiah contrasts the man who trusts in human strength, who is like a shrub in the desert, with the man who trusts in the Lord, who is like a tree planted by water that does not fail in drought, and prays for his own healing and vindication. He then stands at the gates of Jerusalem to call the kings and people to keep the sabbath holy, warning that obedience will bring lasting security for the city while disobedience will bring an unquenchable fire.

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

ThomsonCURSED is the man whose hope is on man—who shall fix the flesh of his arm on him, and whose heart hath departed from the Lord.

BrentonCursed is the man who trusts in man, and will lean his arm of flesh upon him, while his heart departs from the Lord.

GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὃς τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχει ἐπʼ ἄνθρωπον, καὶ στηρίσει σάρκα βραχίονος αὐτοῦ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀπὸ Κυρίου ἀποστῇ ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ.

KJVThus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

JPSThus saith the LORD: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, And maketh flesh his arm, And whose heart departeth from the LORD.

ThomsonHe shall be like the wild myrtle in the desert. He shall not see when good cometh; but shall dwell in parched places and in a desert—in a salt land which is uninhabited.

BrentonAnd he shall be as the wild tamarisk in the desert: he shall not see when good comes; but he shall dwell in barren places, and in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὡς ἡ ἀγριομυρίκη ἡ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὐκ ὄψεται ὅταν ἔλθῃ τὰ ἀγαθὰ, καὶ κατασκηνώσει ἐν ἁλίμοις, καὶ ἐν ἐρήμῳ, ἐν γῇ ἁλμυρᾷ ἥτις οὐ κατοικεῖται.

KJVFor he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

JPSFor he shall be like a tamarisk in the desert, And shall not see when good cometh; But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, A salt land and not inhabited.

ThomsonBut blessed is the man who hath trusted in the Lord; and whose hope is the Lord.

BrentonBut blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord shall be.

GreekΚαὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὃς πέποιθεν ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ἔσται Κύριος ἐλπὶς αὐτοῦ·

KJVBlessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

JPSBlessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, And whose trust the LORD is.

ThomsonHe will be like a thriving tree near waters which shall shoot out its roots in a moist soil. It will not be afraid when heat cometh, though its stock be loaded with branches. In a year of drought it will not be afraid, nor will it fail to bear fruit.

BrentonAnd he shall be as a thriving tree by the waters, and he shall cast forth his root toward a moist place: he shall not fear when heat comes, and there shall be upon him shady branches: he shall not fear in a year of drought, and he shall not fail to bear fruit.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὡς ξύλον εὐθηνοῦν παρʼ ὕδατα, καὶ ἐπὶ ἰκμάδα βαλεῖ ῥίζαν αὐτοῦ· οὐ φοβηθήσεται ὅταν ἔλθῃ καῦμα, καὶ ἔσται ἐπʼ αὐτῷ στελέχη ἀλσώδη, ἐν ἐνιαυτῷ ἀβροχίας οὐ φοβηθήσεται, καὶ οὐ διαλείψει ποιῶν καρπόν.

KJVFor he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

JPSFor he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, And that spreadeth out its roots by the river, And shall not see when heat cometh, But its foliage shall be luxuriant; And shall not be anxious in the year of drought, Neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Thomson(p) The heart is deep beyond all things; so also is a man, who then can know Him?

BrentonThe heart is deep beyond all things, and it is the man, and who can know him?

GreekΒαθεία ἡ καρδία παρὰ πάντα, καὶ ἄνθρωπός ἐστι, καὶ τίς γνώσεται αὐτόν;

KJVThe heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

JPSThe heart is deceitful above all things, And it is exceeding weak—who can know it?

Thomson(J) I the Lord search hearts and try reins, to give to every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his devices.

BrentonI the Lord try the hearts, and prove the reins, to give to every one according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his devices.

GreekἘγὼ Κύριος ἐτάζων καρδίας, καὶ δοκιμάζων νεφροὺς, τοῦ δοῦναι ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατὰ τοὺς καρποὺς τῶν ἐπιτηδευμάτων αὐτοῦ.

KJVI the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

JPSI the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

ThomsonA partridge whistled and collected young which it did not bring forth, increasing its wealth but not with judgment; in the midst of its days they will leave it, and at its end it will be a fool.

BrentonThe partridge utters her voice, she gathers eggs which she did not lay; so is a man gaining his wealth unjustly; in the midst of his days his riches shall leave him, and at his latter end he will be a fool.

GreekἘφώνησε πέρδιξ, συνήγαγεν ἃ οὐκ ἔτεκε, ποιῶν πλοῦτον αὐτοῦ οὐ μετὰ κρίσεως· ἐν ἡμίσει ἡμερῶν αὐτοῦ ἐγκαταλείψουσιν αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων αὐτοῦ ἔσται ἄφρων.

KJVAs the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

JPSAs the partridge that broodeth over young which she hath not brought forth, So is he that getteth riches, and not by right; In the midst of his days he shall leave them, And at his end he shall be a fool.

Thomson(p) Our sanctuary is an exalted throne of glory.

BrentonAn exalted throne of glory is our sanctuary.

GreekΘρόνος δόξης ὑψωμένος, ἁγίασμα ἡμῶν,

KJVA glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.

JPSThou throne of glory, on high from the beginning, Thou place of our sanctuary,

ThomsonThou, O Lord art the hope of Israel. Let all who forsake Thee be ashamed; let them who have apostatised be enrolled in the dust, because they have forsaken the Lord the fountain of life.

BrentonO Lord, the hope of Israel, let all that have left thee be ashamed, let them that have revolted be written on the earth, because they have forsaken the fountain of life, the Lord.

Greekὑπομονὴ Ἰσραήλ· Κύριε, πάντες οἱ καταλιπόντες σε καταισχυνθήτωσαν, ἀφεστηκότες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς γραφήτωσαν, ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπον πηγὴν ζωῆς, τὸν Κύριον.

KJVO LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

JPSThou hope of Israel, the LORD! All that forsake Thee shall be ashamed; They that depart from Thee shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the LORD, The fountain of living waters. .

ThomsonHeal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed. Save me, and I shall be saved. Because Thou art my boast, behold they say to me,

BrentonHeal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my boast.

GreekἼασαί με Κύριε, καὶ ἰαθήσομαι· σῶσόν με, καὶ σωθήσομαι, ὅτι καύχημά μου σὺ εἶ.

KJVHeal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

JPSHeal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved; For Thou art my praise.

ThomsonWhere is the word of the Lord? Let it come.

BrentonBehold, they say to me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come.

GreekἸδοὺ αὐτοὶ λέγουσι πρὸς μὲ, ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ λόγος Κυρίου; ἐλθέτω.

KJVBehold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.

JPSBehold, they say unto me: ‘Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.’

ThomsonAs for me, I was not weary of following Thee, nor did I desire the day of a man: Thou knowest. The words which pass my lips are before Thee,

BrentonBut I have not been weary of following thee, nor have I desired the day of man; thou knowest; the words that proceed out of my lips are before thy face.

GreekἘγὼ δὲ οὐκ ἐκοπίασα κατακολουθῶν ὀπίσω σου, καὶ ἡμέραν ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἐπεθύμησα· σὺ ἐπίστῃ· τὰ ἐκπορευόμενα διὰ τῶν χειλέων μου, πρὸ προσώπου σου ἐστί.

KJVAs 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.

JPSAs for me, I have not hastened from being a shepherd after Thee; Neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest it; That which came out of my lips was manifest before Thee.

Thomsonbe not estranged from me. Spare me in an evil day.

BrentonBe not to me a stranger, but spare me in the evil day.

GreekΜὴ γενηθῇς μοι εἰς ἀλλοτρίωσιν, φειδόμενός μου ἐν ἡμέρᾳ πονηρᾷ.

KJVBe not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

JPSBe not a ruin unto me; Thou art my refuge in the day of evil.

ThomsonLet my persecutors be ashamed; but let me not be shamed. Let them be dismayed; but let not me be dismayed. Bring upon them an evil day. Crush them with a double crush.

BrentonLet them that persecute me be ashamed, but let me not be ashamed: let them be alarmed, but let me not be alarmed: bring upon them the evil day, crush them with double destruction.

GreekΚαταισχυνθήτωσαν οἱ διώκοντές με, καὶ μὴ καταισχυνθείην ἐγώ· πτοηθείησαν αὐτοὶ, καὶ μὴ πτοηθείην ἐγώ· ἐπάγαγε ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἡμέραν πονηρὰν, δισσὸν σύντριμμα σύντριψον αὐτούς.

KJVLet 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.

JPSLet them be ashamed that persecute me, but let not me be ashamed; Let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed; Bring upon them the day of evil, And destroy them with double destruction.

ThomsonThus saith the Lord: Go and stand in the gates of the children of thy people at which the kings of Juda come in and at which they go out, even at all the gates of Jerusalem,

BrentonThus saith the Lord; Go and stand in the gates of the children of thy people, by which the kings of Juda enter, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem:

GreekΤάδε λέγει Κύριος, βάδισον, καὶ στῆθι ἐν ταῖς πύλαις υἱῶν λαοῦ σου, ἐν αἷς εἰσπορεύονται ἐν αὐταῖς βασιλεῖς Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐν αἷς ἐκπορεύονται ἐν αὐταῖς, καὶ ἐν πάσαις ταῖς πύλαις Ἱερουσαλὴμ,

KJVThus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

JPSThus said the LORD unto me: Go, and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

Thomsonand thou shalt say to them, Hear the word of the Lord, O kings of Juda and all Juda and all Jerusalem, who enter in by these gates!

Brentonand thou shalt say to them, Hear the word of the Lord, ye kings of Juda, and all Judea, and all Jerusalem, all who go in at these gates:

Greekκαὶ ἐρεῖς αὐτοῖς, ἀκούσατε τὸν λόγον Κυρίου βασιλεῖς Ἰούδα, καὶ πᾶσα Ἰουδαία, καὶ πᾶσα Ἱερουσαλὴμ, οἱ εἰσπορευόμενοι ἐν ταῖς πύλαις ταύταις·

KJVAnd say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

JPSand say unto them: Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates;

ThomsonThus saith the Lord, Take heed to yourselves and carry no burdens on the sabbath day; nor go out of the gates of Jerusalem.

Brentonthus saith the Lord; Take heed to your souls, and take up no burdens on the sabbath-day, and go not forth through the gates of Jerusalem;

GreekΤάδε λέγει Κύριος, φυλάσσεσθε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν, καὶ μὴ αἴρετε βαστάγματα ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ μὴ ἐκπορεύεσθε ταῖς πύλαις Ἱερουσαλὴμ,

KJVThus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

JPSthus saith the LORD: Take heed for the sake of your souls, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

ThomsonNeither carry burdens out of your houses on the sabbath day nor do any work. Hallow the sabbath day as I commanded your fathers.

Brentonand carry forth no burdens out of your houses on the sabbath-day, and ye shall do no work: sanctify the sabbath-day, as I commanded your fathers.

Greekκαὶ μὴ ἐκφέρετε βαστάγματα ἐξ οἰκιῶν ὑμῶν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ πᾶν ἔργον οὐ ποιήσετε· ἁγιάσατε τὴν ἡμέραν τῶν σαββάτων, καθὼς ἐνετειλάμην τοῖς πατράσιν ὑμῶν. Καὶ οὐκ ἤκουσαν, καὶ οὐκ ἔκλιναν τὸ οὖς αὐτῶν,

KJVNeither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

JPSneither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work; but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers;

ThomsonThough they did not hearken, though they did not incline their ear, but stiffened their necks more than their fathers, that they might not hearken to Me nor receive instruction;

BrentonBut they hearkened not, and inclined not their ear, but stiffened their neck more than their fathers did, so as not to hear me, and not to receive correction.

Greekκαὶ ἐσκλήρυναν τὸν τράχηλον αὐτῶν ὑπὲρ τοὺς πατέρας αὐτῶν, τοῦ μὴ ἀκοῦσαί μου, καὶ τοῦ μὴ δέξασθαι παιδείαν.

KJVBut they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.

JPSbut they hearkened not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.

Thomsonyet if you will hearken to Me, saith the Lord, and not carry burdens through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day by doing no work thereon;

BrentonAnd it shall come to pass, if ye will hearken to me, saith the Lord, to carry in no burdens through the gates of this city on the sabbath-day, and to sanctify the sabbath-day, so as to do no work upon it,

GreekΚαὶ ἓσται, ἐὰν εἰσακούσητέ μου, λέγει Κύριος, τοῦ μὴ εἰσφέρειν βαστάγματα διὰ τῶν πυλῶν τῆς πόλεως ταύτης ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων καὶ ἁγιάζειν τὴν ἡμέραν τῶν σαββάτων, τοῦ μὴ ποιεῖν πᾶν ἔργον,

KJVAnd it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

JPSAnd it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto Me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but to hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

Thomsonthere shall enter in at the gates of this city, kings and chiefs seated on the throne of David and riding in chariots and on horses, they and their chiefs, the men of Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall be inhabited for the age.

Brentonthat there shall enter through the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, and riding on their chariots and horses, they, and their princes, the men of Juda, and the dwellers in Jerusalem: and this city shall be inhabited for ever.

Greekκαὶ εἰσελεύσονται διὰ τῶν πυλῶν τῆς πόλεως ταύτης βασιλεῖς καὶ ἄρχοντες καθήμενοι ἐπὶ θρόνου Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἐπιβεβηκότες ἐφʼ ἅρμασι καὶ ἵπποις αὐτῶν, αὐτοὶ καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτῶν, ἄνδρες Ἰούδα καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· καὶ κατοικισθήσεται ἡ πόλις αὕτη εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVThen shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.

JPSthen shall there enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall be inhabited for ever.

ThomsonAnd there shall come from the cities of Juda and from around Jerusalem and from the land of Benjamin and from the plain and from the mountain and from the country to the south, people bringing whole burnt offerings and sacrifices and incense and fine flour and frankincense—bringing offerings of thanksgivings to the house of the Lord.

BrentonAnd men shall come out of the cities of Juda, and from round about Jerusalem, and out of the land of Benjamin, and out of the plain country, and from the hill country, and from the south country, bringing whole-burnt-offerings, and sacrifices, and incense, and manna, and frankincense, bringing praise to the house of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἥξουσιν ἐκ τῶν πόλεων Ἰούδα, καὶ κυκλόθεν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἐκ γῆς Βενιαμὶν, καὶ ἐκ γῆς πεδινῆς, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους, καὶ ἐκ τῆς πρὸς Νότον, φέροντες ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ θυσίας καὶ θυμιάματα καὶ μάννα καὶ λίβανον, φέροντες αἴνεσιν εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου.

KJVAnd they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.

JPSAnd they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places round about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the Lowland, and from the mountains, and from the South, bringing burnt-offerings, and sacrifices, and meal-offerings, and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving, unto the house of the LORD.

ThomsonBut if you will not hearken to Me to hallow the sabbath day, so as not to carry burdens nor come in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day, I will kindle a fire in the gates thereof and it shall consume the streets of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.

BrentonBut it shall come to pass, if ye will not hearken to me to sanctify the sabbath-day, to bear no burdens, nor go in with them by the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath-day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the streets of Jerusalem, and shall not be quenched.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἐὰν μὴ ἀκούσητέ μου τοῦ ἁγιάζειν τὴν ἡμέραν τῶν σαββάτων, τοῦ μὴ αἴρειν βαστάγματα, καὶ μὴ εἰσπορεύεσθαι ταῖς πύλαις Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ ἀνάψω πῦρ ἐν ταῖς πύλαις αὐτῆς, καὶ καταφάγεται ἄμφοδα Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ οὐ σβεσθήσεται.

KJVBut if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

JPSBut if ye will not hearken unto Me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.