Jeremiæ 8
1 In illo tempore, ait Dominus: Eiicient ossa regum Iuda, et ossa principum eius, et ossa sacerdotum, et ossa prophetarum, et ossa eorum, qui habitaverunt Ierusalem, de sepulchris suis:
When that happens, declares the Lord, the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of the officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be taken out of their graves.
2 et expandent ea ad solem, et lunam, et omnem militiam caeli, quae dilexerunt, et quibus servierunt, et post quae ambulaverunt, et quae quaesierunt, et adoraverunt: non colligentur, et non sepelientur: in sterquilinium super faciem terrae erunt.
They will lie exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the stars which they loved, which they served, which they followed, which they consulted, and which they worshiped. Their bones will not be collected or reburied, but will be left like manure lying on the ground.
3 Et eligent magis mortem quam vitam omnes qui residui fuerint de cognatione hac pessima in universis locis, quae derelicta sunt, ad quae eieci eos, dicit Dominus exercituum.
Those who are left of this evil family will prefer to die rather than live in every place I've scattered them, declares the Lord Almighty.
4 Et dices ad eos: Haec dicit Dominus: Numquid qui cadit, non resurget? et qui aversus est, non revertetur?
Tell them this is what the Lord says: When people fall down, don't they get up again? When people go the wrong way, don't they turn around?
5 Quare ergo aversus est populus iste in Ierusalem aversione contentiosa? Apprehenderunt mendacium, et noluerunt reverti.
So why have these people of Jerusalem gone the wrong way? Why do they refuse to turn around from their repeated betrayals, holding on to all their lies?
6 Attendi, et auscultavi: nemo quod bonum est loquitur, nullus est qui agat poenitentiam super peccato suo, dicens: Quid feci? Omnes conversi sunt ad cursum suum, quasi equus impetu vadens ad praelium.
I've heard exactly what they said, but they don't tell the truth. No one is sorry for doing wrong, asking, “What have I done?” Everyone chooses their own way, like a horse charging into battle.
7 Milvus in caelo cognovit tempus suum: turtur, et hirundo, et ciconia custodierunt tempus adventus sui: populus autem meus non cognovit iudicium Domini.
Even storks high in the sky know when it's time to migrate. Turtledoves, swifts, and songbirds know when to fly away at the right time of the year. But my people don't know the laws of the Lord.
8 Quomodo dicitis: Sapientes nos sumus, et lex Domini nobiscum est? vere mendacium operatus est stylus mendax Scribarum.
How on earth can you say, “We're wise, and we have the Law of the Lord?” Can't you see that the writings of your teachers of the Law have turned it into lies?
9 Confusi sunt sapientes, perterriti et capti sunt: verbum enim Domini proiecerunt, et sapientia nulla est in eis.
The wise will be shown to be foolish; they will be shocked at being caught out. Can't you see that they've rejected what the Lord says—so do they have any wisdom at all?
10 Propterea dabo mulieres eorum exteris, agros eorum heredibus: quia a minimo usque ad maximum omnes avaritiam sequuntur: a propheta usque ad sacerdotem cuncti faciunt mendacium.
I'm going to give their wives to others, and their fields to different owners, since everyone cheats because they're greedy, poor and rich alike. Even prophets and priests—they are all dishonest liars!
11 Et sanabant contritionem filiae populi mei ad ignominiam, dicentes: Pax, pax: cum non esset pax.
They give my wounded people first aid, but they don't really care about them. They tell them, “Don't worry! We have peace!” even as war approaches.
12 Confusi sunt quia abominationem fecerunt: quinimmo confusione non sunt confusi, et erubescere nescierunt: idcirco cadent inter corruentes, in tempore visitationis suae corruent, dicit Dominus.
Are they ashamed of the disgusting things they did? No, they're not ashamed at all, they can't even blush. So they will fall just like the others, when I punish them; they will drop down dead, says the Lord.
13 Congregans congregabo eos, ait Dominus: non est uva in vitibus, et non sunt ficus in ficulnea: folium defluxit: et dedi eis quae praetergressa sunt.
I'm going to destroy them, declares the Lord. There will be no grapes left on the vines, no figs on the trees—even the leaves will wither. They will lose whatever I gave them.
14 Quare sedemus? convenite, et ingrediamur civitatem munitam, et sileamus ibi: quia Dominus Deus noster silere nos fecit, et potum dedit nobis aquam fellis: peccavimus enim Domino.
The people say, “Why are we sitting around here? Let's get together and run to the fortified towns. We can die there, for the Lord our God is killing us by giving us poisoned water to drink, because we sinned against him.
15 Expectavimus pacem, et non erat bonum: tempus medelae, et ecce formido.
We hoped for peace, but instead nothing good has come; we hoped for a time of healing, but instead there was only sudden terror.”
16 A Dan auditus est fremitus equorum eius, a voce hinnituum pugnatorum eius commota est omnis terra. et venerunt, et devoraverunt terram, et plenitudinem eius: urbem et habitatores eius.
The snorting of enemy horses can be heard from Dan. The whole country shakes in fear at the sound of the neighing of these strong stallions, They have come to destroy the country and everything in it; Jerusalem and everyone who lives there.
17 Quia ecce ego mittam vobis serpentes regulos, quibus non est incantatio: et mordebunt vos, ait Dominus.
Watch out! I'm sending snakes among you, vipers that can't be charmed. They will come and bite you, declares the Lord.
18 dolor meus super dolorem, in me cor meum moerens.
Nothing comforts me in my suffering; I feel terrible inside.
19 Ecce vox clamoris filiae populi mei de terra longinqua: Numquid Dominus non est in Sion, aut rex eius non est in ea? Quare ergo me ad iracundiam concitaverunt in sculptilibus suis, et in vanitatibus alienis?
Listen to my people crying out for help from a distant land, asking “Isn't the Lord present in Zion anymore? Has her King left?” Why have they made me angry, worshiping their carved images and their useless foreign idols?
20 Transiit messis, finita est aestas, et nos salvati non sumus.
“The harvest is over, the summer is finished, but we're not saved,” say the people.
21 Super contritione filiae populi mei contritus sum, et contristatus, stupor obtinuit me.
I'm crushed by the injuries suffered by my people; I mourn for them. I'm horrified at what's happened!
22 Numquid resina non est in Galaad? aut medicus non est ibi? quare igitur non est obducta cicatrix filiae populi mei?
Isn't there any ointment from Gilead to help heal them? Aren't there any doctors there? So why haven't my people been healed from their wounds?
