Jeremiah 12:16

¹⁴ This is what the LORD says: “As for all My evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to My people Israel, I am about to uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.

¹⁵ But after I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land.

And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.

¹⁷ But if they will not obey, then I will uproot that nation; I will uproot it and destroy it, declares the LORD.”

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.
KJV: And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
WEB: It will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the middle of my people.
ASV: And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people.
DARBY: And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, [As] Jehovah liveth even as they taught my people to swear by Baal they shall be built up in the midst of my people.
BLB: And it will come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘YHWH lives,’ as—they taught My people to swear by Baal—that they will learn they will be built in the midst of My people.

ÅB: Og såfremt de lærer mitt folks veier, lærer å sverge ved mitt navn: Så sant Herren lever - slik som de har lært mitt folk å sverge ved Ba'al, da skal de bli oppbygd midt iblant mitt folk.
OTB: Og hvis de virkelig lærer mitt folks veier og sverger ved mitt navn, ‘Så sant som Herren lever’—slik de en gang lærte mitt folk å sverge ved Baal—da vil de bli etablert blant mitt folk.
B1930: Og såfremt de lærer mitt folks veier, lærer å sverge ved mitt navn: Så sant Herren lever - likesom de har lært mitt folk å sverge ved Ba'al, da skal de bli opbygget midt iblandt mitt folk.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 4:2
and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”
Read in context
Joshua 23:7
So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.
Read in context
Zephaniah 1:5
those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,
Read in context
Jeremiah 3:17
At that time Jerusalem will be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
Read in context
Zechariah 2:11
“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
Read in context
Deuteronomy 10:20–21
You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.
Read in context
Isaiah 9:18–21
For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets which roll upward in billows of smoke.
Read in context
Isaiah 56:5–6
I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
Read in context