The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Jeremiah 26

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Nevi'im — the Prophets

Jeremiah chapter 26 — part of the Nevi'im — the Prophets in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from HaShem, saying:” — the complete text of all 24 verses is below, free to read online.

1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from HaShem, saying:

2'Thus saith HaShem: Stand in the court of HaShem'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in HaShem'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.

3It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way; that I may repent Me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

4And thou shalt say unto them: Thus saith HaShem: If ye will not hearken to Me, to walk in My law, which I have set before you,

5to hearken to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I send unto you, even sending them betimes and often, but ye have not hearkened;

6then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.'

7So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of HaShem.

8Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that HaShem had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying: 'Thou shalt surely die.

9Why hast thou prophesied in the name of HaShem, saying: This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant?' And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of HaShem.

10When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house unto the house of HaShem; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of HaShem'S house.

11Then spoke the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying: 'This man is worthy of death; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.'

12Then spoke Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying: 'The HaShem sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.

13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and hearken to the voice of HaShem your G-d; and HaShem will repent Him of the evil that He hath pronounced against you.

14But as for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me as is good and right in your eyes.

15Only know ye for certain that, if ye put me to death, ye will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof; for of a truth HaShem hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.'

16Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets: 'This man is not worthy of death; for he hath spoken to us in the name of HaShem our G-d.'

17Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying:

18'Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying: Thus saith HaShem of hosts: Zion shall be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear HaShem, and entreat the favour of HaShem, and HaShem repented Him of the evil which He had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our own souls.'

20And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of HaShem, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath-jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah;

21and when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;

22and Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt;

23and they fetched forth Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the children of the people.

24Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

24 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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