From Newsgroup: alt.bible

Day 222, 10 August 2025

Today at <a href="https://www.calvarycommunity.ca">
Calvary community Church </a>, Pastor Larry Janzen spoke on
Empowered - Our Best Defence.

Acts 25

Paul Appeals to Caesar

1 (Ac 23:34) Now three days after Festus had come into the province, he went from Caesarea up to Jerusalem.
2 (Ac 25:15; 24:1) The high priest and the elders of the Jews spoke to him against Paul. And they begged him,
3 asking as a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him along the way.
4 Festus said that Paul should be kept at Caesarea and that he himself
intended to go there shortly.
5 He also said, "Let the men in authority go down
with me. If there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him."
6 (Ac 25:17; Mt 27:19) Having stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered
that Paul be brought in.
7 (Ac 24:13; Lk 23:2) When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges against him
which they could not prove,
8 (Ac 24:12; 28:17) while he defended himself, saying, "Neither against
the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have
I sinned at all."
9 (Ac 24:27; 25:20) Desiring to do the Jews a favor, Festus answered, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be judged
concerning these charges before me?"
10 Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought
to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you know very well.
11 (Ac 26:32; 28:19) If I am doing wrong or have done anything worthy
of death, I do not refuse to die. But if these are empty charges of
which these men accuse me, no one may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar." 12 When Festus had conferred with the council, he then answered,
"To Caesar you have appealed. To Caesar you shall go."

1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended
from C|asarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul,
and besought him,
3 and desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at C|asarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me,
and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto C|asarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could
not prove.
8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against C|asar, have I offended any thing at all.
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at C|asar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto C|asar.
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered,
Hast thou appealed unto C|asar? unto C|asar shalt thou go.

Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

13 After several days King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea
to welcome Festus.
14 (Ac 24:27) When they had been there many days, Festus stated Paul's case to the king, saying, "There is a man left as a prisoner by Felix.
15 When I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him, asking for a sentence against him.
16 (Ac 25:4-5; Jn 7:51) "I answered, 'It is not the custom of the Romans
to deliver any man to die before he who is accused meets the accusers face
to face and has the opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge brought against him.'
17 (Ac 25:6; 25:10) So when they assembled here, without delay I sat
on the judgment seat the next day and ordered that the man be brought in.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such crimes as I had supposed.
19 (Ac 18:15; 23:29) But they had disagreements with him about their own religion and about a Man named Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul asserted
was alive.
20 (Ac 25:9) Being perplexed about such questions, I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there concerning these charges.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be under guard for the decision of Caesar,
I ordered that he be secured until I could send him to Caesar."
22 (Ac 9:15) Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear the man myself." He said, "Tomorrow you shall hear him."
23 (Ac 25:13; 26:30) The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp,
and they entered the hall with the commanders and the leading men of the city. When Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in.
24 (Ac 22:22; 25:7) Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all the men who are
present with us, you see this man, concerning whom the whole assembly
of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, shouting that he
ought not to live any longer.
25 (Ac 23:29; Lk 23:4) I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death. But when he himself appealed to Caesar, I decided to send him.
26 But I have nothing to write to His Majesty concerning him. Therefore
I have brought him before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa,
so that upon examination, I might have something to write.
27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without signifying
the charges against him."

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto C|asarea
to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of
the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man
to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I
sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 but had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of
one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether
he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus,
I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to C|asar.
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself.
To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp,
and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that
he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa,
that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal
to signify the crimes laid against him.

Acts 26

Paul's Defense Before Agrippa

1 (Ac 9:15) Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that today I shall make
my defense before you against all the accusations of the Jews,
3 (Ac 6:14) especially because you are an expert in all customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to patiently listen to me.
4 (Gal 1:13) "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning
in my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.
5 (Ac 23:6; 22:3) They knew me from the beginning and could testify,
if they wished, how according to the strictest sect of our religion
I lived as a Pharisee.
6 (Ac 24:15; 28:20) And now I stand on trial for hope in the promise made
by God to our fathers,
7 (Jas 1:1; Ezr 6:17) to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God day and night. Concerning this hope, King Agrippa,
I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why is it judged incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 (1Ti 1:13; Ac 22:8) "I, too, thought that I must do many things contrary
to the name of Jesus of Nazareth,
10 (Ac 8:3; 9:13-14) which I indeed did in Jerusalem and locked up
many of the saints in prison by authority from the chief priests.
And when they were killed, I cast my vote against them.
11 (Mt 10:17; Ac 22:19) I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme. And being extremely enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.
Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own
nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify,
that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made
of God unto our fathers:
7 unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you,
that God should raise the dead?
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary
to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut
up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them,
I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Paul Tells of His Conversion

Ac 9:1-19; 22:6-16

12 "So I went to Damascus with authority
and a commission from the chief priests.
13 At midday, O King, I saw along the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 (Ac 21:40; 9:7) When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice
saying to me in the Hebrew language,
'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?
It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
15 "I said, 'Who are You, Lord?'
"He said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 (Ac 22:14-15; Eze 2:1) But rise and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness both of
what you have seen and of what I will yet reveal to you.
17 (Ac 9:15; Jer 1:8) I will deliver you from your people
and from the Gentiles to whom I now send you,
18 (Ac 20:32; 1Pe 2:9; Isa 35:5) to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified
by faith in Me.'

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the
chief priests,
13 at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed
with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto
me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which
thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles,
unto whom now I send thee,
18 to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness
of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified
by faith that is in me.

Paul's Testimony to Jews and Gentiles

19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 (Mt 3:8; Ac 3:19) but declared first to those at Damascus, then at
Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do works proving their repentance. 21 (Ac 21:30-31; 21:27) For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple
and tried to kill me.
22 (Ac 24:14; Lk 24:27) Therefore having obtained help from God, I continue
to this day, testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what
the prophets and Moses said would happen:
23 (Rev 1:5; Lk 2:32; Col 1:18) that the Christ must suffer, that He would be the first who would rise from the dead, and would announce light to His own people and to the Gentiles."

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout
all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent
and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple,
and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day,
witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those
which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should
rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the
Gentiles.

Paul Appeals to Agrippa to Believe

24 (1Co 4:10; 2Ki 9:11) So as he made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are mad. Much learning is turning you to madness."
25 (Ac 23:26; 24:3) Paul said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus. I speak the words of truth and reason.
26 The king, before whom I also speak freely, knows about these things. For I am persuaded that none of this is hidden from him, for this was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."
28 (Ac 11:26) Then Agrippa said to Paul,
"You almost persuade me to be a Christian."
29 (Ac 21:33; 1Co 7:7) Paul said, "I pray to God that not only you,
but all who hear me this day, might become not only almost, but thoroughly
and altogether, what I am, except for these chains."
30 When he had said this, the king rose, as well as the governor
and Bernice and those who sat with them.
31 (Ac 23:29; 23:9) When they had gone aside, they said to one another,
"This man is doing nothing deserving death or imprisonment."
32 (Ac 28:18) And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free
if he had not appealed to Caesar."

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul,
thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words
of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely:
for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him;
for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear
me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these
bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor,
and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
31 and when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying,
This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty,
if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

"Our story" defines our sense or basis of value.

"His Story" gives us His definition of our identity, value, and purpose.

John 8:31-32

31 (2Jn 1:9) Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
"If you remain in My word, then you are truly My disciples.
32 (Ro 8:2; Jas 2:12) You shall know the truth,
and the truth shall set you free."

[31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in
my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
[32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:6

6 (Jn 10:9; 1:14; Ac 4:12) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.

2 Corinthians 6:18

18 (Isa 43:6; Jer 31:9) "I will be a Father to you,
and you shall be My sons and daughters,says the Lord Almighty." (2Sa 7:14.)

[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

1 John 3:1

1 (Jn 1:12; 3:16) Consider how much love the Father has given to us,
that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know
us, because it did not know Him.

[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,
because it knew him not.

Romans 3:10

10 (Ps 14:1-3; 53:1-3) As it is written:
"There is none righteous, no, not one; (Ps 14:1; 53:1.)

[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23

23 (Ro 3:9) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:12

12 (Ge 2:17; Ro 6:23; 1Co 15:21-22) Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men,
because all have sinned.

[12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 6:23

23 (Ro 5:12; Ge 2:17; Ro 2:7) For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:8

8 (Jn 15:13; 1Pe 3:18) But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9-10

9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11) that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 (Eph 2:5; Mk 16:16) For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God,
9 (2Ti 1:9; Ro 3:20) not of works, so that no one should boast.

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The intersection of these 2 stores is the initiaion of hope.

"His story" and "my story" become "out story", and just like Paul, this becomes our best and clearest defence of who we are, what we believe, and why we are convinced that it is a truth worth living and dying for!

The more we tell "our story", the more courage is grown out of conviction.

1) Jeremiah 14, Jeremiah 15, Jeremiah 16, Jeremiah 17

Jeremiah 14

Drought, Famine, and Sword

1 (Jer 17:8) The word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah
concerning the drought:
2 (Isa 3:26; 1Sa 5:12) Judah mourns,
and the gates languish;
they sit on the ground while mourning,
and the cry of Jerusalem has gone up.
3 (2Sa 15:30; 2Ki 18:31) Their nobles have sent their servants for water;
they came to the cisterns and found no water.
They returned with their vessels empty;
they were ashamed and humiliated,
and covered their heads.
4 (Jer 3:3; Joel 1:11) Because the ground is chapped,
for there was no rain in the earth,
the plowmen were ashamed;
they have covered their heads.
5 (Ps 29:9) Indeed, the hind also calved in the field
and abandoned her young
because there was no grass.
6 (Jer 2:24; Job 39:5-6) The wild donkeys stand in the high places;
they pant for air like jackals;
their eyes fail
because there is no grass.
7 (Ps 25:11; Jer 5:6) O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us,
do it for Your name['s sake.
Indeed, our backslidings are many;
we have sinned against You.
8 (Jer 17:13; Ps 9:9) O the Hope of Israel,
its Savior in time of trouble,
why should You be as a stranger in the land,
and as a wayfaring man who turns aside to pitch his tent for a night?
9 (Isa 59:1; 63:19) Why should You be as a man dismayed,
as a mighty man who cannot save?
Yet You, O Lord, are in our midst,
and we are called by Your name.
Do not forsake us!
10 (Hos 8:13; 9:9) Thus says the Lord to this people:
Even so they have loved to wander;
they have not restrained their feet.
Therefore, the Lord does not accept them;
He will now remember their iniquity
and punish their sins.
11 (Jer 7:16; 11:14) Then the Lord said to me: Do not pray for the good
of this people.
12 (Jer 6:20; Pr 1:28) When they fast, I will not hear their cry. And when
they offer a burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them.
But I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine,
and by the pestilence.

[1] The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
[2] Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
[3] And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they
were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
[4] Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
[5] Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there
was no grass.
[6] And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the
wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.
[7] O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy
name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
[8] O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why
shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
[9] Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot
save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy
name; leave us not.
[10] Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander,
they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them;
he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
[11] Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
[12] When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

False Prophets

13 (Jer 6:14; 4:10) Yet I said, "Ah, Lord God! Here the prophets say to them, 'You shall not see the sword nor shall you have famine,
but I will give you assured peace in this place.' "
14 (Jer 27:9-10; 29:8-9) Then the Lord said to me: The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them no- have I commanded them
nor have I spoken to them. They prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and emptiness, and the deceit of their heart.
15 (Jer 5:12-13; Eze 14:10) Therefore thus says the Lord concerning
the prophets who prophesy in My name though I did not send them,
yet they say, "Sword and famine will not be in this land."
By sword and famine those prophets will be consumed.
16 (Pr 1:31; Jer 7:33) The people to whom they prophesy
will be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine
and the sword. And they will have no one to bury them, not them,
nor their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters.
For I will pour out their wickedness upon them.
17 (Jer 8:21; 9:1) Therefore you will say this word to them:
Let my eyes run down with tears
night and day, and let them not cease;
for the virgin daughter of my people
has been broken with a great blow,
with a very infected wound.
18 (Eze 7:15; Jer 5:31) If I go out into the field,
I see those slain with the sword!
And if I enter the city,
I see those who are sick with famine!
Indeed, both the prophet and the priest
go about into a land that they do not know.

[13] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
[14] Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I
sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and
the deceit of their heart.
[15] Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in
my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
[16] And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets
of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none
to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
[17] Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down
with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of
my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
[18] If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and
if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea,
both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

The People Ask for Mercy

19 (Jer 8:15; La 5:22) Have You utterly rejected Judah?
Has Your soul loathed Zion?
Why have You stricken us
so that there is no healing for us?
We looked for peace,
but there was nothing good;
and for the time of healing,
but there is trouble!
20 (Ne 9:2; Ps 32:5) We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness
and the iniquity of our fathers,
for we have sinned against You.
21 (Ps 106:45; Jer 14:7) Do not abhor us. For Your name's sake,
do not disgrace Your glorious throne.
Remember and do not break
Your covenant with us.
22 (Dt 32:21; Isa 30:23 ) Are there any among the idols of the nations
that can cause rain?
Or can the heavens give showers?
Is it not You, O Lord our God?
Therefore, we will wait upon You,
for You have done all these things.

[19] Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast
thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and
there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!
[20] We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our
fathers: for we have sinned against thee.
[21] Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
[22] Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain?
or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore
we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

Jeremiah 15

The Lord Will Not Relent

1 (1Sa 7:9; Ps 99:6) Then the Lord said to me: Even though Moses
and Samuel were to stand before Me, yet My heart would not be
with this people. Cast them out of My sight and let them go!
2 (Jer 14:12; 43:11) It shall come to pass if they say to you,
"Where should we go?" then you shall tell them: Thus says the Lord:
Those destined for death, to death;
and those destined for the sword, to the sword;
and those destined for the famine, to the famine;
and those destined for the captivity, to the captivity.
3 (Lev 26:16; 26:22) I will appoint over them four kinds of disaster,
says the Lord: the sword to slay, the dogs to tear, the birds
of the heaven, the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.
4 (Jer 24:9; 29:18) I will cause them to be removed into
all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah
king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
5 (Isa 51:19; Na 3:7) For who shall have pity on you, O Jerusalem?
Or who shall bemoan you?
Or who shall go aside to ask how you are doing?
6 (Jer 7:24; Zep 1:4) You who have forsaken Me, says the Lord,
you keep going backward.
Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you.
I am weary of relenting!
7 (Isa 9:13; Jer 18:21) I will winnow them with a winnowing fork
in the gates of the land;
I will bereave them of children. I will destroy My people,
since they did not repent from their ways.
8 (Isa 3:25-4:1 ) Their widows will increase before Me
more than the sand of the seas;
I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man,
a destroyer at noonday;
I will suddenly bring down on her
sorrow and terrors.
9 (1Sa 2:5; Isa 47:9) She who has borne seven sons languishes;
she has given up the spirit;
her sun has gone down while it was yet day;
she has been ashamed and humiliated.
And the rest of them I will deliver to the sword
before their enemies,
says the Lord.

[1] Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet
my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
[2] And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for
death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as
are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to
the captivity.
[3] And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to
slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of
the earth, to devour and destroy.
[4] And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth,
because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he
did in Jerusalem.
[5] For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan
thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?
[6] Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
[7] And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways.
[8] Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have
brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday:
I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
[9] She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her
sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies,
saith the LORD.

Jeremiah's Sorrow

10 (Ex 22:25; Ps 15:5) Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me
as a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth!
I have not lent with usury, nor have men lent to me on usury,
yet every one of them curses me!
11 The Lord said:
Truly I will set you free for good purposes.
Truly I will cause the enemy to entreat you
in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
12 Can anyone break the northern iron
or the bronze?
13 (Ps 44:12; Jer 17:3) Your wealth and your treasures
I will give to the destroyer without price,
and that for all your sins,
even within all your borders.
14 (Dt 32:22; Jer 16:13) I will make you to pass with your enemies
into a land which you do not know;
for a fire is kindled in My anger,
which shall burn upon you.
15 (Jer 12:3; Ps 69:7-9 ) O Lord, You who know, remember me,
and take notice of me,
and take vengeance on my persecutors.
Because of your longsuffering, do not take me away.
Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.
16 (Jer 14:9; Job 23:12 ) Your words were found and I ate them.
And Your word became to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart,
for I am called by Your name,
O Lord God of Hosts.
17 (Ps 1:1; La 3:28 ) I did not sit in the assembly of mockers,
nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone because of Your hand,
for You have filled me with indignation.
18 (Jer 30:15; Job 34:6) Why is my pain perpetual
and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed?
Shall You be altogether to me as a deceptive stream
and as waters that fail?

[10] Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man
of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.
[11] The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
[12] Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
[13] Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.
[14] And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you. [15] O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
[16] Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the
joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
[17] I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
[18] Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?

The Lord Reassures Jeremiah

19 (Jer 15:1; Zec 3:7) Therefore thus says the Lord:
If you return, then I will bring you back,
and you shall stand before Me;
and if you take out the precious from the worthless,
you will be My spokesman.
Let them return to you,
but do not return to them.
20 (Jer 1:18-19; Ps 46:7) I will make you to this people
a fortified bronze wall;
and they shall fight against you,
but they shall not prevail against you;
for I am with you
to save you and to deliver you,
says the Lord.
21 (Ge 48:16; Ps 37:40) I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and I will redeem you out of the hand of the violent.

[19] Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious
from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but
return not thou unto them.
[20] And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they
shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
[21] And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will
redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
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