Jeremiah 42

1 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry: and sprinkle yourselves with ashes, ye leaders of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and your dispersion are accomplished, and you shall fall like precious vessels. 2 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the leaders of the flock to save themselves. 3 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a howling of the principal of the flock: because the Lord hath wasted their pastures. 4 And the fields of peace have been silent because of the fierce anger of the Lord. 5 He hath forsaken his covert as the lion, for the land is laid waste because of the wrath of the dove, and because of the fierce anger of the Lord. 7 In the beginning of the reign of Joakim the son of Josias king of Juda, came this word from the Lord, saying: 8 Thus saith the Lord: stand in the court of the house of the Lord, and speak to all the cities of Juda, out of which they come, to adore in the house of the Lord, all the words which I have commanded thee to speak unto them: leave not out one word. 9 If so be they will hearken and be converted every one from his evil way; that I may repent me of the evil that I think to do unto them for the wickedness of their doings. 10 And thou shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord: If you will not hearken to me to walk in my law, which I have given you: 11 To give ear to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent to you rising up early: and sending, and you have not hearkened: 12 I will make this house like Silo: and I will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. 13 And the priests, and the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 14 And when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests, and the prophets, and all the people laid hold on him, saying: Let him be put to death. 15 Why hath he prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying: This house shall be like Silo; and this city shall be made desolate, without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered together against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. 16 And the princes of Juda heard these words: and they went up from the king’s house into the house of the Lord, and sat in the entry of the new gate of the house of the Lord. 17 And the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes, and to all the people, saying: The judgment of death is for this man: because he hath prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears. 18 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes, and to all the people, saying: The Lord sent me to prophesy concerning this house, and concerning this city all the words that you have heard. 19 Now therefore amend your ways, and your doings, and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God: and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath spoken against you. 20 But as for me, behold I am in your hands: do with me what is good and right in your eyes: 21 But know ye, and understand, that if you put me to death, you will shed innocent blood against your own selves, and against this city, and the inhabitants thereof. For in truth the Lord sent me to you, to speak all these words in your hearing. 22 Then the princes, and all the people said to the priests, and to the prophets: There is no judgment of death for this man: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.