Jeremiah 4:3
1 “If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver,
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.”
For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”
5 Announce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say: “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves and let us flee to the fortified cities.’
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
- For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns.
- KJV
- For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
- WEB
- For the LORD says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, “Break up your fallow ground, and don’t sow among thorns.
- ASV
- For thus saith Jehovah to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
- DARBY
- For thus saith Jehovah to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: Break up for you a fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
- BLB
- For thus says YHWH to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up for yourself the unplowed ground, and do not sow among thorns.
- ÅB
- For så sier Herren til Judas menn og til Jerusalem: Bryt dere nytt land og så ikke blant torner!
- OTB
- For dette er hva Herren sier til folket i Juda og til Jerusalem: «Bryt opp deres upløyde mark og så ikke blant torner.
- B1930
- For så sier Herren til Judas menn og til Jerusalem: Bryt eder nytt land og så ikke blandt torner!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.
Read in contextLuke 8:14
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Read in contextLuke 8:7
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings.
Read in contextGalatians 6:7–8
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
Read in contextMark 4:18–19
Others are like the seeds sown among the thorns. They hear the word,
Read in contextMatthew 13:7
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings.
Read in contextMark 4:7
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings, and they yielded no crop.
Read in contextMatthew 13:22
The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Read in context