Jeremiæ 18

1 verbum quod factum est ad Hieremiam a Domino dicens

The word that came from the Lord to

2 surge et descende in domum figuli et ibi audies verba mea

Jeremias, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there you shall hear my words.

3 et descendi in domum figuli et ecce ipse faciebat opus super rotam

So I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he was making a vessel on the stones.

4 et dissipatum est vas quod ipse faciebat e luto manibus suis conversusque fecit illud vas alterum sicut placuerat in oculis eius ut faceret

And the vessel which he was making with his hands fell: so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to him to make [it].

5 et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

6 numquid sicut figulus iste non potero facere vobis domus Israhel ait Dominus ecce sicut lutum in manu figuli sic vos in manu mea domus Israhel

Shall I not be able, O house of Israel, to do to you as this potter? behold, as the clay of the potter are you in my hands.

7 repente loquar adversum gentem et adversum regnum ut eradicem et destruam et disperdam illud

[If] I shall pronounce a decree upon a nation, or upon a kingdom, to cut them off, and to destroy [them];

8 si paenitentiam egerit gens illa a malo suo quod locutus sum adversum eam agam et ego paenitentiam super malo quod cogitavi ut facerem ei

and that nation turn from all their sins, then will I repent of the evils which I purposed to do to them.

9 et subito loquar de gente et regno ut aedificem et ut plantem illud

And [if] I shall pronounce a decree upon a nation and kingdom, to rebuild and to plant [it];

10 si fecerit malum in oculis meis ut non audiat vocem meam paenitentiam agam super bono quod locutus sum ut facerem ei

and they do evil before me, so as not to listen to my voice, then will I repent of the good which I spoke of, to do it to them.

11 nunc ergo dic viro Iudae et habitatoribus Hierusalem dicens haec dicit Dominus ecce ego fingo contra vos malum et cogito contra vos cogitationem revertatur unusquisque a via sua mala et dirigite vias vestras et studia vestra

And now say to the men of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Behold, I prepare evils against you, and devise a device against you: let every one turn now from his evil way, and amend your practices.

12 qui dixerunt desperavimus post cogitationes enim nostras ibimus et unusquisque pravitatem cordis sui mali faciemus

And they said, We will quit ourselves like men, for we will pursue our perverse ways, and we will perform each the lusts of his evil heart.

13 ideo haec dicit Dominus interrogate gentes quis audivit talia horribilia quae fecit nimis virgo Israhel

Therefore thus says the Lord; Enquire now among the nations, who has heard such very horrible things as the virgin of Israel has done?

14 numquid deficiet de petra agri nix Libani aut evelli possunt aquae erumpentes frigidae et defluentes

Will fertilising streams fail [to flow] from a rock, or snow [fail] from Libanus? will water violently impelled by the wind turn aside?

15 quia oblitus est mei populus meus frustra libantes et inpingentes in viis suis in semitis saeculi ut ambularent per eas in itinere non trito

For my people have forgotten me, they have offered incense in vain, and they fail in their ways, [leaving] the ancient tracks, to enter upon impassable paths;

16 ut fieret terra eorum in desolationem et in sibilum sempiternum omnis qui praeterit per eam obstupescet et movebit caput suum

to make their land a desolation, and a perpetual hissing; all that go through it shall be amazed, and shall shake their heads.

17 sicut ventus urens dispergam eos coram inimico dorsum et non faciem ostendam eis in die perditionis eorum

I will scatter them before their enemies like an east wind; I will show them the day of their destruction.

18 et dixerunt venite et cogitemus contra Hieremiam cogitationes non enim peribit lex a sacerdote neque consilium a sapiente nec sermo a propheta venite et percutiamus eum lingua et non adtendamus ad universos sermones eius

Then they said, Come, and let us devise a device against Jeremias; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and we will hear all his words.

19 adtende Domine ad me et audi vocem adversariorum meorum

Hear me, O Lord, and hear the voice of my pleading.

20 numquid redditur pro bono malum quia foderunt foveam animae meae recordare quod steterim in conspectu tuo ut loquerer pro eis bonum et averterem indignationem tuam ab eis

Forasmuch as evil is rewarded for good; for they have spoken words against my soul, and they have hidden the punishment they [meant] for me; remember that I stood before your face, to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.

21 propterea da filios eorum in famem et deduc eos in manus gladii fiant uxores eorum absque liberis et viduae et viri earum interficiantur morte iuvenes eorum confodiantur gladio in proelio

Therefore do you deliver their sons to famine, and gather them to the power of the sword: let their women be childless and widows; and let their men be cut off by death, and their young men fall by the sword in war.

22 audiatur clamor de domibus eorum adduces enim super eos latronem repente quia foderunt foveam ut caperent me et laqueos absconderunt pedibus meis

Let there be a cry in their houses: you shall bring upon them robbers suddenly: for they have formed a plan to take me, and have hidden snares for me.

23 tu autem Domine scis omne consilium eorum adversum me in mortem ne propitieris iniquitati eorum et peccatum eorum a facie tua non deleatur fiant corruentes in conspectu tuo in tempore furoris tui abutere eis

And you, Lord, know all their deadly counsel against me: account not their iniquities guiltless, and blot not out their sins from before you: let their weakness come before you; deal with them in the time of your wrath.