The Broken Covenant

Jeremiah 11

The Lord reminds Jeremiah of the covenant made with Israel's fathers when he brought them out of Egypt, and declares that because Judah and Jerusalem have broken it and gone after other gods, disaster will come from which their many idols cannot save them. When Jeremiah learns that the men of his own town, Anathoth, are plotting to kill him for prophesying, he appeals to the Lord for just judgment against them.

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

ThomsonTHE word which came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying,

BrentonThe word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying,

GreekὉ ΛΟΓΟΣ Ὁ ΓΕΝΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΠΑΡΑ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΠΡΟΣ ἹΕΡΕΜΙΑΝ, ΛΕΓΩΝ,

KJVThe word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

JPSThe word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying:

ThomsonHear ye the words of this covenant: and thou shalt speak to the men of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem

BrentonHear ye the words of this covenant, and thou shalt speak to the men of Juda, and to the dwellers in Jerusalem;

GreekἈκούσατε τοὺς λόγους τῆς διαθήκης ταύτης, καὶ λαλήσεις πρὸς ἄνδρας Ἰούδα, καὶ πρὸς τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ,

KJVHear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

JPS’Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

Thomsonand say to them, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, Cursed is the man who will not hearken to the words of that covenant

Brentonand thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Cursed is the man, who shall not hearken to the words of this covenant,

Greekκαὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, ἐπικατάρατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὃς οὐκ ἀκούσεται τῶν λόγων τῆς διαθήκης ταύτης,

KJVAnd say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

JPSand say thou unto them: Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant,

Thomsonwhich I enjoined on your fathers, at the time when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; out of the iron furnace saying, Hearken to My voice, and do all that I command you: and you shall be My people, and I will be your God;

Brentonwhich I commanded your fathers, in the day wherein I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Hearken to my voice, and do all things that I shall command you; so shall ye be to me a people, and I will be to you a God;

Greekἧς ἐνετειλάμην τοῖς πατράσιν ὑμῶν, ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ ἀνήγαγον αὐτοὺς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου ἐκ καμίνου τῆς σιδηρᾶς, λέγων, ἀκούσατε τῆς φωνῆς μου, καὶ ποιήσατε πάντα ὅσα ἐὰν ἐντείλωμαι ὑμῖν, καὶ ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς λαὸν, καὶ ἐγὼ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς Θεόν·

KJVWhich I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:

JPSwhich I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying: Hearken to My voice, and do them, according to all which I command you; so shall ye be My people, and I will be your God;

Thomsonthat I may perform the oath which I swore to your fathers to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Thereupon I answered and said, So be it, O Lord.

Brentonthat I may confirm mine oath, which I sware to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then I answered and said, So be it, O Lord.

GreekὍπως στήσω τὸν ὅρκον μου, ὃν ὤμοσα τοῖς πατράσιν ὑμῶν, τοῦ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς γῆν ῥέουσαν γάλα καὶ μέλι, καθὼς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη· καὶ ἀπεκρίθην καὶ εἶπα, γένοιτο Κύριε.

KJVThat I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

JPSthat I may establish the oath which I swore unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.’ Then answered I, and said: ‘Amen, O LORD.’

ThomsonThen the Lord said to me, Read these words in the cities of Juda and in the streets of Jerusalem, and say, Hear the words of this covenant and do them.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to me, Read these words in the cities of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς μὲ, ἀνάγνωθι τοὺς λόγους τούτους ἐν πόλεσιν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἔξωθεν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, λέγων, ἀκούσατε τοὺς λόγους τῆς διαθήκης ταύτης, καὶ ποιήσατε αὐτούς.

KJVThen the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto me: ‘Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

ThomsonAnd when they did not:

BrentonBut they did them not.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἐποίησαν.

KJVYet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not.

JPSYet they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the stubbornness of their evil heart; therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did them not.’

Thomsonthe Lord said to me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Juda and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Juda, and among the dwellers in Jerusalem.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς μὲ, εὑρέθη σύνδεσμος ἐν ἀνδράσιν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐν τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ·

KJVAnd the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto me: ‘A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

ThomsonThey have turned back to the iniquities of their fathers, who refused to hearken to My words. And lo they are going after strange gods to serve them. Both the house of Israel and the house of Juda have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers;

BrentonThey are turned aside to the iniquities of their fathers that were of old, who would not hearken to my words: and, behold, they go after strange gods, to serve them: and the house of Israel and the house of Juda have broken my covenant, which I made with their fathers.

GreekἘπεστράφησαν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀδικίας τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν τῶν πρότερον, οἳ οὐκ ἠθέλησαν εἰσακοῦσαι τῶν λόγων μου, καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτοὶ πορεύονται ὀπίσω θεῶν ἀλλοτρίων, τοῦ δουλεύειν αὐτοῖς· καὶ διεσκέδασεν οἶκος Ἰσραὴλ καὶ οἶκος Ἰούδα τὴν διαθήκην μου, ἣν διεθέμην πρὸς τοὺς πατέρας αὐτῶν.

KJVThey are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

JPSThey are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear My words; and they are gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.

Thomsontherefore thus saith the Lord, Behold I am bringing upon this people evils, from which they shall not be able to escape. And when they cry to Me I will not hearken to them.

BrentonTherefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I bring evils upon this people, out of which they shall not be able to come forth; and they shall presently cry to me, but I will not hearken to them.

GreekΔιατοῦτο τάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπάγω ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον κακὰ, ἐξ ὧν οὐ δυνήσονται ἐξελθεῖν ἐξ αὐτῶν· καὶ κεκράξονται πρὸς μὲ, καὶ οὐκ εἰσακούσομαι αὐτῶν.

KJVTherefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

JPSTherefore thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto Me, I will not hearken unto them.

ThomsonLet the cities of Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and cry to the gods, to which they burn incense; but which cannot save them in the time of their adversity.

BrentonAnd the cities of Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem shall go, and cry to the gods to whom they burn incense; which shall not deliver them in the time of their troubles.

GreekΚαὶ πορεύσονται πόλεις Ἰούδα καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ κεκράξονται πρὸς τοὺς θεοὺς, οἷς αὐτοὶ θυμιῶσιν αὐτοῖς, οἳ μὴ σώσουσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῶν κακῶν αὐτῶν.

KJVThen shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

JPSThen shall the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer; but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

ThomsonSince according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda—and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem, you erected altars to burn incense to Baal;

BrentonFor according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to burn incense to Baal.

GreekὍτι κατʼ ἀριθμὸν τῶν πόλεών σου ἦσαν θεοί σου Ἰούδα, καὶ κατʼ ἀριθμὸν ἐξόδων τῆς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐτάξατε βωμοὺς θυμιᾷν τῇ Βάαλ.

KJVFor according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.

JPSFor according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to offer unto Baal.

Thomsontherefore pray not thou for this people, nor intercede for them with supplication and prayer; for I will not hearken when they call on Me in the time of their distress.

BrentonAnd thou, pray not for this people, and intercede not for them in supplication and prayer: for I will not hear in the day in which they call upon me, in the day of their affliction.

GreekΚαὶ σὺ μὴ προσεύχου περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, καὶ μὴ ἀξίου περὶ αὐτῶν ἐν δεήσει καὶ προσευχῇ, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσακούσομαι ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐν ᾧ ἐπικαλοῦνταί με, ἐν καιρῷ κακώσεως αὐτῶν.

KJVTherefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.

JPSTherefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto Me for their trouble.’

ThomsonWhat! My beloved hath committed abomination in My very house! Will prayers and holy meats remove from thee thy wickedness? or by means of these shalt thou escape?

BrentonWhy has my beloved wrought abomination in my house? will prayers and holy offerings take away thy wickedness from thee, or shalt thou escape by these things?

GreekΤί ἡ ἠγαπημένη ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ μου ἐποίησε βδέλυγμα; μὴ εὐχαὶ καὶ κρέα ἅγια ἀφελοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ τὰς κακίας σου, ἢ τούτοις διαφεύξῃ;

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThe Lord called thy name The beautiful shady olive tree. At the sound of lopping it, a fire was kindled against it. Great is the affliction coming upon thee. Its branches are destroyed.

BrentonThe Lord called thy name a fair olive tree, of a goodly shade in appearance, at the noise of its being lopped, fire was kindled against it; great is the affliction coming upon thee: her branches are become good for nothing.

GreekἘλαίαν ὡραίαν εὔσκιον τῷ εἴδει ἐκάλεσε Κύριος τὸ ὄνομά σου, εἰς φωνὴν περιτομῆς αὐτῆς· ἀνήφθη πῦρ ἐπʼ αὐτὴν, μεγάλη ἡ θλίψις ἐπὶ σὲ, ἠχρειώθησαν οἱ κλάδοι αὐτῆς·

KJVThe LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

JPSThe LORD called thy name A leafy olive-tree, fair with goodly fruit; With the noise of a great tumult He hath kindled fire upon it, And the branches of it are broken.

ThomsonThe Lord who planted thee hath denounced evils against thee, for the wickedness of the house of Israel and the house of Juda, for they have brought this upon themselves by burning incense to Baal to provoke Me.

BrentonAnd the Lord that planted thee has pronounced evils against thee, because of the iniquity of the house of Israel and the house of Juda, whatsoever they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger by burning incense to Baal.

GreekΚαὶ Κύριος ὁ καταφυτεύσας σε, ἐλάλησεν ἐπὶ σὲ κακὰ ἀντὶ τῆς κακίας οἴκου Ἰσραὴλ καὶ οἴκου Ἰούδα, ὅ, τι ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς τοῦ παροργίσαι με ἐν τῷ θυμιᾷν αὐτοὺς τῇ Βάαλ.

KJVFor the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

JPSFor the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have wrought for themselves in provoking Me by offering unto Baal.

Thomson(p) Inform me, O Lord, and let me know! Then I saw their devices.

BrentonO Lord, teach me, and I shall know: then I saw their practices.

GreekΚύριε γνώρισόν μοι, καὶ γνώσομαι· τότε εἶδον τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.

JPSAnd the LORD gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it; Then Thou showedst me their doings.

ThomsonAs for me, I like a lamb led to slaughter did not know. Against me they had formed a wicked design, saying, Come, let us put poison in his bread, and cut him off from the land of the living; and let his name be mentioned no more.

BrentonBut I as an innocent lamb led to the slaughter, knew not: against me they devised an evil device, saying, Come and let us put wood into his bread, and let us utterly destroy him from off the land of the living, and let his name not be remembered any more.

GreekἘγὼ δὲ ὡς ἀρνίον ἄκακον ἀγόμενον τοῦ θύεσθαι, οὐκ ἔγνων· ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐλογίσαντο λογισμὸν πονηρὸν, λέγοντες, δεῦτε καὶ ἐμβάλωμεν ξύλον εἰς τὸν ἄρτον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκτρίψωμεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ γῆς ζώντων, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ οὐ μὴ μνησθῇ οὐκέτι.

KJVBut I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

JPSBut I was like a docile lamb that is led to the slaughter; And I knew not that they had devised devices against me: ‘Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, And let us cut him off from the land of the living, That his name may be no more remembered.’

ThomsonO Lord, who judgest righteously, trying reins and hearts! let me see Thy vengeance on them, for to Thee I have laid open my cause.

BrentonO Lord, that judgest righteously, trying the reins and hearts, let me see thy vengeance taken upon them, for to thee I have declared my cause.

GreekΚύριε κρίνων δίκαια, δοκιμάζων νεφροὺς καὶ καρδίας, ἴδοιμι τῆν παρὰ σοῦ ἐκδίκησιν ἐξ αὐτῶν, ὅτι πρὸς σὲ ἀπεκάλυψα τὸ δικαίωμά μου.

KJVBut, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

JPSBut, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, That triest the reins and the heart, Let me see Thy vengeance on them; For unto Thee have I revealed my cause.

ThomsonOn this account, thus saith the Lord to the men of Anathoth (who seek my life, [and] who say, Thou shalt not prophesy in the name of the Lord—if thou dost, thou shalt die by our hand):

BrentonTherefore thus saith the Lord concerning the men of Anathoth, that seek my life, that say, Thou shalt not prophesy at all in the name of the Lord, but if thou dost, thou shalt die by our hands:

GreekΔιατοῦτο τάδε λέγει Κύριος ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας Ἀναθὼθ τοὺς ζητοῦντας τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοὺς λέγοντας, οὐ μὴ προφητεύσεις ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου, εἰ δὲ μὴ, ἀποθάνῃ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν·

KJVTherefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:

JPSTherefore thus saith the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying: ‘Thou shalt not prophesy in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand’;

ThomsonBehold I will punish them. Their young men shall die by the sword. And their sons and their daughters shall die by famine.

Brentonbehold, I will visit them: their young men shall die by the sword; and their sons and their daughters shall die of famine:

GreekἸδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπισκέψομαι ἐπʼ αὐτούς· οἱ νεανίσκοι αὐτῶν ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποθανοῦνται, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτῶν καὶ αἱ θυγατέρες αὐτῶν τελευτήσουσιν ἐν λιμῷ,

KJVTherefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:

JPStherefore thus saith the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will punish them; The young men shall die by the sword, Their sons and their daughters shall die by famine;

ThomsonAnd there shall not be a remnant of them left; for I will bring evils on the inhabitants of Anathoth in the year of their visitation.

Brentonand there shall be no remnant left of them; for I will bring evil upon the dwellers in Anathoth, in the year of their visitation.

Greekκαὶ ἐγκατάλειμμα οὐκ ἔσται αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐπάξω κακὰ ἐπὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Ἀναθὼθ, ἐν ἐνιαυτῷ ἐπισκέψεως αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

JPSAnd there shall be no remnant unto them; For I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, Even the year of their visitation.