Jeremiah 3:12

The Lord Calls on Israel and Judah to Repent

3:12 “Go and shout this message to my people in the countries in the north. ¹  Tell them,

‘Come back to me, wayward Israel,’ says the Lord.

‘I will not continue to look on you with displeasure. ² 

For I am merciful,’ says the Lord.

‘I will not be angry with you forever.

Jeremiah 6:16

6:16 The Lord said to his people: ³ 

“You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. ⁴ 

Ask where the old, reliable paths ⁵  are.

Ask where the path is that leads to blessing ⁶  and follow it.

If you do, you will find rest for your souls.”

But they said, “We will not follow it!”

[3:12]  ¹ tn Heb “Go and proclaim these words to the north.” The translation assumes that the message is directed toward the exiles of northern Israel who have been scattered in the provinces of Assyria to the north.

[3:12]  ² tn Heb “I will not cause my face to fall on you.”

[6:16]  ³ tn The words, “to his people” are not in the text but are implicit in the interchange of pronouns in the Hebrew of vv. 16-17. They are supplied in the translation here for clarity.

[6:16]  ⁴ tn Heb “Stand at the crossroads and look.”

[6:16]  ⁵ tn Heb “the ancient path,” i.e., the path the Lord set out in ancient times (cf. Deut 32:7).

[6:16]  ⁶ tn Heb “the way of/to the good.”