Jeremiah 4:22

4:22 The Lord answered, ¹ 

“This will happen ²  because my people are foolish.

They do not know me.

They are like children who have no sense. ³ 

They have no understanding.

They are skilled at doing evil.

They do not know how to do good.”

Jeremiah 25:29

25:29 For take note, I am already beginning to bring disaster on the city that I call my own. ⁴  So how can you possibly avoid being punished? ⁵  You will not go unpunished! For I am proclaiming war against all who live on the earth. I, the Lord who rules over all, ⁶  affirm it!’ ⁷ 

[4:22]  ¹ tn These words are not in the text but are supplied in the translation to show clearly the shift in speaker. Jeremiah has been speaking; now the Lord answers, giving the reason for the devastation Jeremiah foresees.

[4:22]  ² tn Heb “For….” This gives the explanation for the destruction envisaged in 4:20 to which Jeremiah responds in 4:19, 21.

[4:22]  ³ tn Heb “They are senseless children.”

[25:29]  ⁴ tn Heb “which is called by my name.” See translator’s note on 7:10 for support.

[25:29]  ⁵ tn This is an example of a question without the formal introductory particle following a conjunctive vav introducing an opposition. (See Joüon 2:609 §161.a.) It is also an example of the use of the infinitive before the finite verb in a rhetorical question involving doubt or denial. (See Joüon 2:422-23 §123.f, and compare usage in Gen 37:8.)

[25:29]  ⁶ tn Heb “Yahweh of armies.”

[25:29]  ⁷ tn Heb “Oracle of Yahweh of armies.”