Jeremiah on Trial in the Temple Court
Jeremiah 33
Jeremiah stands in the court of the Lord's house and warns that if the people do not turn from their evil ways, the temple will become like Shiloh and Jerusalem a curse to the nations, provoking the priests, the false prophets, and the people to seize him and demand his death. The princes intervene, elders recall how Micah's similar warning under Hezekiah led to repentance rather than punishment, and Jeremiah is spared, though the chapter also notes that another prophet, Uriah, was pursued to Egypt and put to death for prophesying the same message.
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
1
ThomsonIN the beginning of the reign of Joakim son of Josias, this word came from the Lord.
BrentonIn the beginning of the Reign of King Joakim Son of Josias there came this Word from the Lord.
GreekἘΝ ἈΡΧΗ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ἸΩΑΚΕΙΜ ΥΙΟΥ ἸΩΣΙΑ, ἘΓΕΝΗΘΗ Ὁ ΛΟΓΟΣ ΟΥΤΟΣ ΠΑΡΑ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ·
KJVIn the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,
JPSIn the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from the LORD, saying:
2
ThomsonThus saith the Lord: Stand in the court of the house of the Lord and thou shalt solemnly pronounce to all the Jews and to all who come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words which I have commanded thee to prophesy to them; keep not back a word.
BrentonThus said the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and thou shalt declare to all the Jews, and to all that come to worship in the house of the Lord, all the words which I commanded thee to speak to them; abate not one word.
GreekΟὕτως εἶπε Κύριος, στῆθι ἐν αὐλῇ οἴκου Κυρίου, καὶ χρηματιεῖς ἅπασι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις, καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐρχομένοις προσκυνεῖν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, ἅπαντας τοὺς λόγους οὓς συνέταξά σοι χρηματίσαι αὐτοῖς, μὴ ἀφέλῃς ῥῆμα.
KJVThus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
JPS’Thus saith the LORD: Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.
3
ThomsonPerhaps they may hearken and turn every one from his evil way, that I may refrain from all the evils which I am resolving to do to them, because of their wicked pursuits.
BrentonPeradventure they will hear, and turn every one from his evil way: then I will cease from the evils which I purpose to do to them, because of their evil practices.
GreekἼσως ἀκούσονται, καὶ ἀποστραφήσονται ἕκαστος ἀπὸ τῆς ὁδοῦ αὐτοῦ τῆς πονηρᾶς, καὶ παύσομαι ἀπὸ τῶν κακῶν ὧν ἐγὼ λογίζομαι τοῦ ποιῆσαι αὐτοῖς ἕνεκεν τῶν πονηρῶν ἐπιτηδευμάτων αὐτῶν.
KJVIf so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
JPSIt may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way; that I may repent Me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
4
ThomsonAnd thou shalt say, ’Thus saith the Lord’, unless you hearken to Me so as to walk by the ordinances which I have set before you;
BrentonAnd thou shalt say, Thus said the Lord; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my statutes which I set before you,
GreekΚαὶ ἐρεῖς, οὕτως εἶπε Κύριος, ἐὰν μὴ ἀκούσητέ μου, τοῦ πορεύεσθαι ἐν τοῖς νομίμοις μου οἷς ἔδωκα κατὰ πρόσωπον ὑμῶν,
KJVAnd thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
JPSAnd thou shalt say unto them: Thus saith the LORD: If ye will not hearken to Me, to walk in My law, which I have set before you,
5
Thomsonand hearken to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I send to you, whom I, rising early, have sent to you, though you have not hearkened to them;
Brentonto hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send to you early in the morning; yea, I sent them, but ye hearkened not to me;
Greekεἰσακούειν τῶν λόγων τῶν παίδων μου τῶν προφητῶν, οὓς ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω πρὸς ὑμᾶς ὄρθρου, καὶ ἀπέστειλα, καὶ οὐκ ἠκούσατέ μου,
KJVTo hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
JPSto hearken to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I send unto you, even sending them betimes and often, but ye have not hearkened;
6
ThomsonI will make this house like Selo; and this city I will make a curse for all the nations of the whole earth.
Brentonthen will I make this house as Selo, and I will make this city a curse to all the nations of all the earth.
Greekκαὶ δώσω τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον ὥσπερ Σηλὼ, καὶ τὴν πόλιν δώσω εἰς κατάραν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσι πάσης τῆς γῆς.
KJVThen will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
JPSthen will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.’
7
ThomsonSo the priests and the false prophets and all the people heard Jeremias pronouncing these words in the house of the Lord.
BrentonAnd the priests, and the false prophets, and all the people heard Jeremias speaking these words in the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ἱερεῖς, καὶ οἱ ψευδοπροφῆται, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τοῦ Ἱερεμίου λαλοῦντος τοὺς λόγους τούτους ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου.
KJVSo the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
JPSSo the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
8
ThomsonAnd when Jeremias had done speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to deliver to all the people; the priests and the false prophets and all the people seized him, saying,
BrentonAnd it came to pass, when Jeremias had ceased speaking all that the Lord had ordered him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the false prophets and all the people took him, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο Ἱερεμίου παυσαμένου λαλοῦντος πάντα ἃ συνέταξε Κύριος αὐτῷ λαλῆσαι παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, καὶ συνελάβοσαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἱερεῖς, καὶ οἱ ψευδοπροφῆται, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, λέγων, θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ,
KJVNow it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.
JPSNow it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying: ‘Thou shalt surely die.
9
ThomsonThou shalt be put to death, because thou hast prophesied in the name of the Lord saying, This house shall be like Selo, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitants. And all the people were assembled against Jeremias in the house of the Lord.
BrentonThou shalt surely die, because thou hast prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be as Selo, and this city shall be made quite destitute of inhabitants. And all the people assembled against Jeremias in the house of the Lord.
Greekὅτι ἐπροφήτευσας τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου, λέγων, ὥσπερ Σηλὼ ἔσται ὁ οἶκος οὗτος, καὶ ἡ πόλις αὕτη ἐρημωθήσεται ἀπὸ κατοικούντων· Καὶ ἐξεκκλησιάσθη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ Ἱερεμίαν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου.
KJVWhy hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
JPSWhy hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying: This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant?’ And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10
ThomsonWhen the chiefs of Juda heard the affair, they went up from the king’s house to the house of the Lord and sat down in the vestibule of the new gate.
BrentonAnd the princes of Juda heard this word, and they went up out of the house of the king to the house of the Lord, and sat in the entrance of the new gate.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ἄρχοντες Ἰούδα τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, καὶ ἀνέβησαν ἐξ οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου, καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐν προθύροις πύλης τῆς καινῆς.
KJVWhen the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’s house.
JPSWhen the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the LORD; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’S house.
11
ThomsonAnd the priests and the false prophets addressed the chiefs, and said to all the people, Let sentence of death pass on this man, because he hath prophesied against this city as you have heard with your ears.
BrentonThen the priests and the false prophets said to the princes and to all the people, The judgment of death is due to this man; because he has prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ οἱ ψευδοπροφῆται πρὸς τοὺς ἄρχοντας, καὶ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, κρίσις θανάτου τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τούτῳ, ὅτι ἐπροφήτευσε κατὰ τῆς πόλεως ταύτης, καθὼς ἠκούσατε ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ὑμῶν.
KJVThen spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
JPSThen spoke the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying: ‘This man is worthy of death; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.’
12
ThomsonWhereupon Jeremias, addressing the chiefs, spoke to all the people saying, The Lord hath sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city, all the words which you have heard.
BrentonThen Jeremias spoke to the princes, and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city, all the words which ye have heard.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἱερεμίας πρὸς τοὺς ἄρχοντας, καὶ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, λέγων, Κύριος ἀπέστειλέ με προφητεῦσαι ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν ταύτην, πάντας τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἠκούσατε.
KJVThen spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
JPSThen spoke Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying: ‘The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
13
ThomsonNow therefore amend your ways and your doings, and hearken to the voice of the Lord; and the Lord will refrain from all the evils which He hath denounced against you.
BrentonAnd now amend your ways and your works, and hearken to the voice of the Lord; and the Lord shall cease from the evils which he has pronounced against you.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν βελτίους ποιήσατε τὰς ὁδοὺς ὑμῶν, καὶ τὰ ἔργα ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀκούσατε τῆς φωνῆς Κυρίου, καὶ παύσεται Κύριος ἀπὸ τῶν κακῶν ὧν ἐλάλησεν ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς.
KJVTherefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
JPSTherefore now amend your ways and your doings, and hearken to the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent Him of the evil that He hath pronounced against you.
14
ThomsonAs for me, behold I am in your hands. Do with me as seemeth good and best to you.
BrentonAnd behold, I am in your hands; do to me as is expedient, and as it is best for you.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐν χερσὶν ὑμῶν, ποιήσατέ μοι ὡς συμφέρει, καὶ ὡς βέλτιον ὑμῖν.
KJV—
JPS—
15
ThomsonBut be assured that if you put me to death, you bring innocent blood on yourselves and upon this city and upon the inhabitants thereof. For in truth, the Lord hath sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.
BrentonBut know for a certainty, that if ye slay me, ye bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon them that dwell in it; for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak in your ears all these words.
GreekἈλλʼ ἢ γνόντες γνώσεσθε, ὅτι εἰ ἀναιρεῖτέ με, αἷμα ἀθῶον δίδοτε ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν ταύτην, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν αὐτῇ· ὅτι ἐν ἀληθείᾳ ἀπέσταλκέ με Κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς λαλῆσαι εἰς τὰ ὦτα ὑμῶν πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους.
KJVBut know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
JPSOnly know ye for certain that, if ye put me to death, ye will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof; for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.’
16
ThomsonThen the chiefs and all the people said to the priests and the false prophets, This man is not liable to death, for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord.
BrentonThen the princes and all the people said to the priests and to the false prophets; Judgment of death is not due to this man; for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπον οἱ ἄρχοντες καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς πρὸς τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ψευδοπροφήτας, οὐκ ἔστι τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τούτῳ κρίσις θανάτου, ὅτι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἐλάλησε πρὸς ἡμᾶς.
KJVThen said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.
JPSThen said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets: ‘This man is not worthy of death; for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.’
17
ThomsonAnd there stood up some principal men of the elders of the land, and said to all the assembly of the people,
BrentonAnd there rose up men of the elders of the land, and said to all the assembly of the people,
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστησαν ἄνδρες τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τῆς γῆς, καὶ εἶπαν πάσῃ τῇ συναγωγῇ τοῦ λαοῦ,
KJVThen rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
JPSThen rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying:
18
ThomsonMichaias the Morasthite lived in the days of Ezekias king of Juda, and he said to all the people of Juda, Thus said the Lord: Sion shall be ploughed like a field; and Jerusalem shall be a desolation; and the mountain of this house, a grove of a forest.
BrentonMichæas the Morathite lived in the days of Ezekias king of Juda, and said to all the people of Juda, Thus saith the Lord; Sion shall be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become a desolation, and the mountain of the house shall be a thicket of trees.
GreekΜιχαίας ὁ Μωραθίτης ἦν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἐζεκίου βασιλέως Ἰούδα, καὶ εἶπε παντὶ τῷ λαῷ Ἰούδα, οὕτως εἶπε Κύριος, Σιὼν ὡς ἀγρὸς ἀροτριαθήσεται, καὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ εἰς ἄβατον ἔσται, καὶ τὸ ὄρος τοῦ οἴκου εἰς ἄλσος δρυμοῦ.
KJVMicah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
JPS’Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying: Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Zion shall be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem shall become heaps, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
19
ThomsonBut did Ezekias and all Juda put him to death? No. Because they feared the Lord; and because they intreated the favour of the Lord: therefore the Lord refrained from the evils which He had denounced against them. Now as for us, we have committed great evils against our souls.
BrentonDid Ezekias and all Juda in any way slay him? Was it not that they feared the Lord, and they made supplication before the Lord, and the Lord ceased from the evils which he had pronounced against them? whereas we have wrought great evil against our own souls.
GreekΜὴ ἀνελὼν ἀνεῖλεν αὐτὸν Ἐζεκίας καὶ πᾶς Ἰούδα; οὐχ ὅτι ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ὅτι ἐδεήθησαν τοῦ προσώπου Κυρίου, καὶ ἐπαύσατο Κύριος ἀπὸ τῶν κακῶν ὧν ἐλάλησεν ἐπʼ αὐτούς; καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐποιήσαμεν κακὰ μεγάλα ἐπὶ ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
KJVDid Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.
JPSDid Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and entreat the favour of the LORD, and the LORD repented Him of the evil which He had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our own souls.’
20
ThomsonNow there was a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, namely Ourias son of Samaias of Kariathiarim; and he prophesied against this land according to all the words of Jeremias.
BrentonAnd there was another man prophesying in the name of the Lord, Urias the son of Samæas of Cariathiarim; and he prophesied concerning this land according to all the words of Jeremias.
GreekΚαὶ ἄνθρωπος ἦν προφητεύων τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου, Οὐρίας υἱὸς Σαμαίου ἐκ Καριαθιαρὶμ, καὶ ἐπροφήτευσε περὶ τῆς γῆς ταύτης κατὰ πάντας τοὺς λόγους Ἱερεμίου.
KJVAnd there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
JPSAnd there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath-jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah;
21
ThomsonAnd when king Joakim and all the chiefs heard all his words, and sought to kill him and Ourias heard it, he fled to Egypt.
BrentonAnd king Joakim and all the princes heard all his words, and sought to slay him; and Urias heard it and went into Egypt.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες πάντας τοὺς λόγους αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐζήτουν ἀποκτεῖναι αὐτόν· καὶ ἤκουσεν Οὐρίας, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον.
KJVAnd when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
JPSand when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
22
ThomsonAnd the king sent men to Egypt,
BrentonAnd the king sent men into Egypt;
GreekΚαὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἄνδρας εἰς Αἴγυπτον,
KJVAnd Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.
JPSand Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt;
23
Thomsonwho fetched him out thence and brought him to the king; and he slew him with the sword and threw him into the common grave yard.
Brentonand they brought him thence, and brought him in to the king; and he smote him with the sword, and cast him into the sepulchre of the children of his people.
Greekκαὶ ἐξηγάγοσαν αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν, καὶ εἰσηγάγοσαν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν ἐν μαχαίρᾳ, καὶ ἔῤῥιψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ μνῆμα υἱῶν λαοῦ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
JPSand they fetched forth Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the children of the people.
24
ThomsonBut the hand of Achikam son of Saphan was with Jeremias that they should not deliver him up into the hands of the people, nor kill him.
BrentonNevertheless the hand of Achicam son of Saphan was with Jeremias, to prevent his being delivered into the hands of the people, or being killed.
GreekΠλὴν χεὶρ Ἀχεικὰμ υἱοῦ Σαφὰν ἦν μετὰ Ἱερεμίου, τοῦ μὴ παραδοῦναι αὐτὸν εἰς χεῖρας τοῦ λαοῦ, μὴ ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν.
KJVNevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
JPSNevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.