The Enemy from the North
Jeremiah 4
The Lord calls Judah and Jerusalem to break up their hardened hearts and turn from evil, warning that a destroying nation is coming from the north like a lion to make the land desolate. Jeremiah sees a vision of the earth without form or light, its cities in ruins, and hears the anguished cry of the daughter of Zion as the enemy approaches.
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
ThomsonIF Israel will return, saith the Lord; let him return to Me. And if he will remove his abominations from his mouth, and on account of Me be filled with holy awe; and swear
BrentonIf Israel will return to me, saith the Lord, he shall return: and if he will remove his abominations out of his mouth, and fear before me, and swear,
GreekἘὰν ἐπιστραφῇ Ἰσραὴλ, λέγει Κύριος, πρὸς μὲ, ἐπιστραφήσεται· καὶ ἐὰν περιέλῃ τὰ βδελύγματα αὐτοῦ ἐκ στόματος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ προσώπου μου εὐλαβηθῇ,
KJVIf thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
JPSIf thou wilt return, O Israel, Saith the LORD, Yea, return unto Me; and if thou wilt put away thy detestable things out of My sight, and wilt not waver;
2
ThomsonAs the Lord liveth with truth in judgment and justice: then shall the nations bless by him, and by him praise God in Jerusalem.
BrentonThe Lord lives, with truth, in judgment and righteousness, then shall nations bless by him, and by him they shall praise God in Jerusalem.
Greekκαὶ ὀμόσῃ, ζῇ Κύριος, μετὰ ἀληθείας ἐν κρίσει καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, καὶ εὐλογήσουσιν ἐν αὐτῷ ἔθνη, καὶ ἐν αὐτῷ αἰνέσουσι τῷ Θεῷ ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ.
KJVAnd thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
JPSAnd wilt swear: ‘As the LORD liveth’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness; then shall the nations bless themselves by Him, and in Him shall they glory.
3
ThomsonFor thus saith the Lord to the men of Juda and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Break up for yourselves fallow grounds and sow not among thorns:
BrentonFor thus saith the Lord to the men of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Break up fresh ground for yourselves, and sow not among thorns.
GreekὍτι τάδε λέγει Κύριος τοῖς ἀνδράσιν Ἰούδα, καὶ τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, νεώσατε ἑαυτοῖς νεώματα, καὶ μὴ σπείρητε ἐπʼ ἀκάνθαις.
KJVFor thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
JPSFor thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: Break up for you a fallow ground, And sow not among thorns.
4
Thomsonbe circumcised for your God and circumcise the stubbornness of your hearts, O men of Juda and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest My wrath break out like a fire and burn; and there be none to quench it, because of the wickedness of your devices. (J)
BrentonCircumcise yourselves to your God, and circumcise your hardness of heart, ye men of Juda, and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my wrath go forth as fire, and burn, and there be none to quench it, because of the evil of your devices.
GreekΠεριτμήθητε τῷ Θεῷ ὑμῶν, καὶ περιτέμεσθε τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν ἄνδρες Ἰούδα, καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες Ἱερουσαλὴμ, μὴ ἐξέλθῃ ὡς πῦρ ὁ θυμός μου, καὶ ἐκκαυθήσεται, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ σβέσων, ἀπὸ προσώπου πονηρίας ἐπιτηδευμάτων ὑμῶν.
KJVCircumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
JPSCircumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest My fury go forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, Because of the evil of your doings.
5
ThomsonMake proclamation in Juda and let it he heard in Jerusalem. Say, Sound the trumpet in the land; raise the screaming cry! Say, Assemble together and let us go into the walled cities!
BrentonDeclare ye in Juda, and let it be heard in Jerusalem: say ye, Sound the trumpet in the land; cry ye aloud: say ye, Gather yourselves together, and let us enter into the fortified cities.
GreekἈναγγείλατε ἐν τῷ Ἰούδᾳ, καὶ ἀκουσθήτω ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· εἴπατε, σημάνατε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς σάλπιγγι, κεκράξατε μέγα· εἴπατε, συνάχθητε, καὶ εἰσέλθωμεν εἰς τὰς πόλεις τὰς τειχήρεις.
KJVDeclare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.
JPSDeclare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem, And say: ‘Blow ye the horn in the land’; cry aloud and say: ‘Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the fortified cities.’
6
ThomsonBreak up and flee to Sion; make all haste; tarry not: for I am bringing evils from the north and a great destruction.
BrentonGather up your wares and flee to Sion: hasten, stay not: for I will bring evils from the north, and great destruction.
GreekἈναλαβόντες φεύγετε εἰς Σιών· σπεύσατε, μὴ στῆτε, ὅτι κακὰ ἐγὼ ἐπάγω ἀπὸ Βοῤῥα, καὶ συντριβὴν μεγάλην.
KJVSet up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
JPSSet up a standard toward Zion; put yourselves under covert, stay not; for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
7
ThomsonA lion has gone up from his den: a destroyer of nations hath begun his march and is come from his place to make this land a desolation; and the cities shall be demolished so as to be uninhabitable.
BrentonThe lion is gone up from his lair, he has roused himself to the destruction of the nations, and has gone forth out of his place, to make the land desolate; and the cities shall be destroyed, so as to be without inhabitant.
GreekἈνέβη λέων ἐκ τῆς μάνδρας αὐτοῦ, ἐξολοθρεύων ἔθνη ἐξῇρε, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ, τοῦ θεῖναι τὴν γῆν εἰς ἐρήμωσιν· καὶ αἱ πόλεις καθαιρεθήσονται, παρὰ τὸ μὴ κατοικεῖσθαι αὐτάς.
KJVThe lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
JPSA lion is gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations is set out, gone forth from his place; to make thy land desolate, that thy cities be laid waste, without inhabitant.
8
ThomsonFor these things gird on sackcloth; wail and utter lamentation. Because the wrath of the Lord is not turned away from you,
BrentonFor these things gird yourselves with sackclothes, and lament, and howl: for the anger of the Lord is not turned away from you.
GreekἘπὶ τούτοις περιζώσασθε σάκκους, καὶ κόπτεσθε, καὶ ἀλαλάξατε, διότι οὐκ ἀπεστράφη ὁ θυμὸς Κυρίου ἀφʼ ὑμῶν.
KJVFor this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.
JPSFor this gird you with sackcloth, lament and wail; For the fierce anger of the LORD Is not turned back from us.
9
Thomsontherefore it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that the understanding of the king shall be destroyed; and the understanding of the chiefs; and the priests shall be confounded and the prophets amazed.
BrentonAnd it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be amazed, and the prophets shall wonder.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, λέγει Κύριος, ἀπολεῖται ἡ καρδία τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἡ καρδία τῶν ἀρχόντων, καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐκστήσονται, καὶ οἱ προφῆται θαυμάσονται.
KJVAnd it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass at that day, Saith the LORD, That the heart of the king shall fail, And the heart of the princes; And the priests shall be astonished, And the prophets shall wonder.
10
Thomson(p) Upon this I said, O Sovereign Lord! hast thou indeed deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ’There shall be peace,’ when lo! the sword hath reached their very soul?
BrentonAnd I said, O sovereign Lord, verily thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, There shall be peace; whereas behold, the sword has reached even to their soul.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπα, ὦ δέσποτα Κύριε, ἆρά γε ἀπατῶν ἠπάτησας τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον καὶ τὴν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, λέγων, εἰρήνη ἔσται, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἥψατο ἡ μάχαιρα ἕως τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτῶν.
KJVThen said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.
JPSThen said I: ‘Ah, Lord GOD! surely Thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying: Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.’
11
Thomson(J) At that time let it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, there is a spirit of wandering in the wilderness. The way of the daughter of My people is not to purity nor to holiness.
BrentonAt that time they shall say to this people and to Jerusalem, There is a spirit of error in the wilderness: the way of the daughter of my people is not to purity, nor to holiness.
GreekἘν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ἐροῦσι τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ καὶ τῇ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, πνεῦμα πλανήσεως ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ὁδὸς τῆς θυγατρὸς τοῦ λαοῦ μου, οὐκ εἰς καθαρὸν, οὐδʼ εἰς ἅγιον.
KJVAt that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
JPSAt that time shall it be said of this people and of Jerusalem; a hot wind of the high hills in the wilderness Toward the daughter of My people, Not to fan, nor to cleanse;
12
ThomsonA spirit of execution shall come for Me and I am now denouncing My judgments on them.
BrentonBut a spirit of full vengeance shall come upon me; and now I declare my judgments against them.
GreekΠνεῦμα πληρώσεως ἥξει μοι· νῦν δὲ ἐγὼ λαλῶ κρίματά μου πρὸς αὐτούς.
KJVEven a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.
JPSA wind too strong for this shall come for Me; now will I also utter judgments against them.
13
ThomsonBehold, he shall come up like a cloud, and his chariots like a whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. (p) Alas for us! we are undone!
BrentonBehold, he shall come up as a cloud, and his chariots as a tempest: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are in misery.
GreekἸδοὺ ὡς νεφέλη ἀναβήσεται, καὶ ὡς καταιγὶς τὰ ἄρματα αὐτοῦ, κουφότεροι ἀετῶν οἱ ἵπποι αὐτοῦ· οὐαὶ ἡμῖν, ὅτι ταλαιπωροῦμεν.
KJVBehold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.
JPSBehold, he cometh up as clouds, and his chariots are as the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles.— ’Woe unto us! for we are undone.’—
14
ThomsonO Jerusalem! wash thy heart from wickedness that thou mayst be saved. How long do ill-grounded reasonings for thy troubles remain in thee?
BrentonCleanse thine heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem, that thou mayest be saved: how long will thy grievous thoughts be within thee?
GreekἈπόπλυνε ἀπὸ κακίας τὴν καρδίαν σου Ἱερουσαλὴμ, ἵνα σωθῇς· ἕως πότε ὑπάρχουσιν ἐν σοὶ διαλογισμοὶ πόνων σου;
KJVO Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
JPSO Jerusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy baleful thoughts lodge within thee?
15
Thomson(J) Because the voice of a messenger will come from Dan, and distress will be heard from mount Ephraim;
BrentonFor a voice of one publishing from Dan shall come, and trouble out of mount Ephraim shall be heard of.
GreekΔιότι φωνὴ ἀγγέλλοντος ἐκ Δὰν ἥξει, καὶ ἀκουσθήσεται πόνος ἐξ ὄρους Ἐφραίμ.
KJVFor a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.
JPSFor hark! one declareth from Dan, and announceth calamity from the hills of Ephraim:
16
ThomsonCall to mind the nations: behold, they are come. Proclaim in Jerusalem: Predatory bands are coming from afar, and have uttered their voice against the cities of Juda!
BrentonRemind ye the nations; behold, they are come: proclaim it in Jerusalem, that bands are approaching from a land afar off, and have uttered their voice against the cities of Juda.
GreekἈναμνήσατε ἔθνη, ἰδοὺ ἥκασιν· ἀναγγείλατε ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, συστροφαὶ ἔρχονται ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν, καὶ ἔδωκαν ἐπὶ τὰς πόλεις Ἰούδα φωνὴν αὐτῶν.
KJVMake ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
JPS’Make ye mention to the nations: Behold—publish concerning Jerusalem— Watchers come from a far country, And give out their voice against the cities of Judah.’
17
ThomsonLike men watching a field they are all around her. Because thou wast not mindful of Me, saith the Lord,
BrentonAs keepers of a field, they have surrounded her; because thou, saith the Lord, hast neglected me.
GreekὩς φυλάσσοντες ἀγρὸν, ἐγένοντο ἐπʼ αὐτὴν κύκλῳ, ὅτι ἐμοῦ ἠμέλησας, λέγει Κύριος.
KJVAs keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
JPSAs keepers of a field Are they against her round about; Because she hath been rebellious against Me, Saith the LORD.
18
Thomsonthy ways and thy devices have done these things to thee. It is owing to thy wickedness that they are bitter—that they have reached thy very heart.
BrentonThy ways and thy devices have brought these things upon thee; this is thy wickedness, for it is bitter, for it has reached to thy heart.
GreekΑἱ ὁδοί σου καὶ τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματά σου ἐποίησαν ταῦτά σοι· αὕτη ἡ κακία σου, ὅτι πικρὰ, ὅτι ἥψατο ἕως τῆς καρδίας σου.
KJVThy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
JPSThy way and thy doings have procured These things unto thee; This is thy wickedness; yea, it is bitter, Yea, it reacheth unto thy heart.
19
Thomson(p) My bowels! my bowels are pained! and every sensation of my heart. My soul throbbeth! my heart is torn. I cannot keep silence; for my soul hath heard the trumpet’s sound; the din of war and of distress.
BrentonI am pained in my bowels, my bowels, and the sensitive powers of my heart; my soul is in great commotion, my heart is torn: I will not be silent, for my soul has heard the sound of a trumpet, the cry of war, and of distress: it calls on destruction;
GreekΤὴν κοιλίαν μου, τὴν κοιλίαν μου ἀλγῶ, καὶ τὰ αἰσθητήρια τῆς καρδίας μου, μαιμάσσει ἡ ψυχή μου, σπαράσσεται ἡ καρδία μου· οὐ σιωπήσομαι, ὅτι φωνὴν σάλπιγγος ἤκουσεν ἡ ψυχή μου, κραυγὴν πολέμου
KJVMy bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
JPSMy bowels, my bowels! I writhe in pain! The chambers of my heart! My heart moaneth within me! I cannot hold my peace! Because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the horn, The alarm of war.
20
ThomsonIt calleth for contrition; for the whole land is in deep distress. My tent is suddenly whelmed in ruin; my curtains are rent to pieces. How long shall I see men fleeing!
Brentonfor all the land is distressed: suddenly my tabernacle is distressed, my curtains have been rent asunder.
Greekκαὶ ταλαιπωρίας συντριμμὸν ἐπικαλεῖται, ὅτι τεταλαιπώρηκε πᾶσα ἡ γῆ, ἄφνω τεταλαιπώρηκεν ἡ σκηνὴ, διεσπάσθησαν αἱ δέῤῥεις μου.
KJVDestruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
JPSDestruction followeth upon destruction, For the whole land is spoiled; Suddenly are my tents spoiled, My curtains in a moment.
21
ThomsonHow long hear the sound of trumpets!
BrentonHow long shall I see fugitives, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
GreekἝως πότε ὄψομαι φεύγοντας ἀκούων φωνὴν σαλπίγγων;
KJVHow long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
JPSHow long shall I see the standard, Shall I hear the sound of the horn?
22
Thomson(J) Because the rulers of My people did not know Me, they are foolish children and devoid of understanding. They are wise in doing evil; but to do good they have no knowledge.
BrentonFor the princes of my people have not known me, they are foolish and unwise children: they are wise to do evil, but how to do good they have not known.
GreekΔιότι οἱ ἡγούμενοι τοῦ λαοῦ μου ἐμὲ οὐκ ᾔδεισαν· υἱοὶ ἄφρονές εἰσι καὶ οὐ συνετοὶ, σοφοί εἰσι τοῦ κακοποιῆσαι, τὸ δὲ καλῶς ποιῆσαι οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν.
KJVFor my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
JPSFor My people is foolish, They know Me not; They are sottish children, And they have no understanding; They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.
23
Thomson—
BrentonI looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was not; and to the sky, and there was no light in it.
GreekἘπέβλεψα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐθὲν, καὶ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, καὶ οὐκ ἦν τὰ φῶτα αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
JPS—
24
ThomsonI beheld the mountains, and they were trembling; and all the hills were in perturbation.
BrentonI beheld the mountains, and they trembled, and I saw all the hills in commotion.
GreekΕἶδον τὰ ὄρη, καὶ ἦν τρέμοντα, καὶ πάντας τοὺς βουνοὺς ταρασσομένους.
KJVI beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
JPSI beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, And all the hills moved to and fro.
25
ThomsonI looked; and lo! there was not a man; and all the birds of the air were flown.
BrentonI looked, and, behold, there was no man, and all the birds of the sky were scared.
GreekἘπέβλεψα, καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἦν ἄνθρωπος, καὶ πάντα τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἐπτοεῖτο.
KJVI beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
JPSI beheld, and, lo, there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens were fled.
26
ThomsonI beheld; and lo! Karmel was a desert; and all the cities were burned with fire. At the presence of the Lord, and because of His fierce anger, they are utterly destroyed.
BrentonI saw, and, behold, Carmel was desert, and all the cities were burnt with fire at the presence of the Lord, and at the presence of his fierce anger they were utterly destroyed.
GreekΕἶδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ Κάρμηλος ἔρημος, καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ πόλεις ἐμπεπυρισμέναι πυρὶ ἀπὸ προσώπου Κυρίου, καὶ ἀπὸ προσώπου ὀργῆς θυμοῦ αὐτοῦ ἠφανίσθησαν.
KJVI beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.
JPSI beheld, and, lo, the fruitful field was a wilderness, And all the cities thereof were broken down At the presence of the LORD, And before His fierce anger.
27
Thomson(J) Thus saith the Lord, The whole land shall be a desert; but I will not make a complete end.
BrentonThus saith the Lord, The whole land shall be desolate; but I will not make a full end.
GreekΤάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἔρημος ἔσται πᾶσα ἡ γῆ, συντέλειαν δὲ οὐ μὴ ποιήσω.
KJVFor thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
JPSFor thus saith the LORD: The whole land shall be desolate; Yet will I not make a full end.
28
ThomsonFor these things let the land mourn; and the heaven above be covered with darkness; for I have spoken and I will not change My mind. I have made an assault and will not withdraw from it.
BrentonFor these things let the earth mourn, and let the sky be dark above: for I have spoken, and I will not repent; I have purposed, and I will not turn back from it.
GreekἘπὶ τούτοις πενθείτω ἡ γῆ, καὶ συσκοτασάτω ὁ οὐρανὸς ἄνωθεν· διότι ἐλάλησα, καὶ οὐ μετανοήσω, ὥρμησα, καὶ οὐκ ἀποστρέψω ἀπʼ αὐτῆς.
KJVFor this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
JPSFor this shall the earth mourn, And the heavens above be black; Because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, And I have not repented, neither will I turn back from it.
29
Thomson(p) At the sound of the cavalry and bended bow all the country had fled. They had skulked into caves; and hidden themselves in forests; and upon rocks they had climbed up. Every city was deserted; in them not a man dwelt.
BrentonThe whole land has recoiled from the noise of the horseman and the bent bow; they have gone into the caves, and have hidden themselves in the groves, and have gone up upon the rocks: every city was abandoned, no man dwelt in them.
GreekἈπὸ φωνῆς ἱππέως, καὶ ἐντεταμένου τόξου ἀνεχώρησε πᾶσα ἡ χώρα· εἰσέδυσαν εἴς τὰ σπήλαια, καὶ εἰς τὰ ἄλση ἐκρύβησαν, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς πέτρας ἀνέβησαν· πᾶσα πόλις ἐγκατελείφθη, οὐ κατῴκει ἐν αὐταῖς ἄνθρωπος.
KJVThe whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
JPSFor the noise of the horsemen and bowmen The whole city fleeth; They go into the thickets, And climb up upon the rocks; Every city is forsaken, And not a man dwelleth therein.
30
ThomsonAnd as for thee what wilt thou do? Though thou clothe thyself with scarlet and deck thyself with ornaments of gold—though thou paint thine eyes with stibium, thy decoration will avail nothing; thy lovers have cast thee off. They will seek thy life.
BrentonAnd what wilt thou do? Though thou clothe thyself with scarlet, and adorn thyself with golden ornaments; though thou adorn thine eyes with stibium, thy beauty will be in vain: thy lovers have rejected thee, they seek thy life.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ τί ποιήσεις; ἐὰν περιβάλῃ κόκκινον, καὶ κοσμήσῃ κόσμῳ χρυσῷ· ἐὰν ἐγχρίσῃ στίβι τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου, εἰς μάταιον ὡραϊσμός σου· ἀπώσαντό σε οἱ ἐρασταί σου, τὴν ψυχήν σου ζητοῦσιν.
KJVAnd when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
JPSAnd thou, that art spoiled, what doest thou, That thou clothest thyself with scarlet, That thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, That thou enlargest thine eyes with paint? In vain dost thou make thyself fair; Thy lovers despise thee, they seek thy life.
31
ThomsonFor I have heard a sound as of one in labour—of thy groan, as of one who beareth her first child. (J) The voice of the daughter of Sion shall be weak: and she shall let her hands hang down. (p) Woe is me! for my soul fainteth on account of the slain.
BrentonFor I have heard thy groaning as the voice of a woman in travail, as of her that brings forth her first child; the voice of the daughter of Zion shall fail through weakness, and she shall lose the strength of her hands, saying, Woe is me! for my soul faints because of the slain.
GreekὍτι φωνὴν ὡς ὠδινούσης ἤκουσα τοῦ στεναγμοῦ σου, ὡς πρωτοτοκούσης· φωνὴ θυγατρὸς Σιὼν ἐκλυθήσεται, καὶ παρήσει τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῆς· οἴμοι ἐγὼ, ὅτι ἐκλείπει ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπὶ τοῖς ἀνῃρημένοις.
KJVFor I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
JPSFor I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, The anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, The voice of the daughter of Zion, that gaspeth for breath, That spreadeth her hands: ‘Woe is me, now! for my soul fainteth Before the murderers.’