Jeremías 18
1 La Palabra de Yavé que vino a Jeremías:
Yahweh gave another message to me. [He said],
2 Levántate, baja a la casa del alfarero y allí oirás mis Palabras.
“Go to the shop of the man who makes clay pots. I will give you a message there.”
3 Bajé a la casa del alfarero. Ahí estaba él trabajando sobre la rueda.
So I went to that shop, and I saw the man who makes pots. He was working at the wheel [that he uses to form pots].
4 La vasija de arcilla que hacía se echó a perder en su mano. Volvió e hizo de ella otra vasija, según le pareció mejor hacerla.
But when he finished making one jar, it was not as good as he hoped/wanted it to be. [So], he took that clay and formed it into another jar, shaping it as he desired.
5 Entonces la Palabra de Yavé vino a mí:
Then Yahweh gave me this message:
6 ¿No podré Yo hacer con ustedes, oh Casa de Israel, como hace este alfarero? dice Yavé. Ciertamente como la arcilla es en mano del alfarero, así son ustedes en mi mano, oh Casa de Israel.
“Perhaps the people of Israel [think that] I cannot do to them like this man who makes pots has done [RHQ]. [But what they think is wrong]. I [can control what happens to them like] this man [controls what he does with the clay] in his hands.
7 En un momento hablo contra pueblos y contra reinos, para desarraigar, destruir y arruinar.
There may be a time when I proclaim that I will get rid of a nation or kingdom, [like someone] pulls up [a plant with its roots], and smashes it, and destroys it.
8 Pero si esa nación contra la cual hablé se devuelve de su maldad, Yo desistiré del mal que pensé hacerle.
But if [the people of] that nation repent of doing evil things, I will not send to them the disasters that I planned to send.
9 En un momento hablo a una nación o a un reino para edificar y plantar.
And there may be a time when I proclaim that I will establish a nation or kingdom and cause it to be strong [MET].
10 Pero si hace lo malo ante mis ojos y no obedece mi voz, entonces Yo también desistiré del bien que prometí hacerle.
But if [the people of] that nation [start to] do evil things and refuse to obey me, then I will not bless them as I said that I would do.
11 Ahora pues, habla a los hombres de Judá y a los habitantes de Jerusalén: Yavé dice: En verdad, Yo preparo un mal, y trazo un designio contra ustedes. Cada uno regrese de su mal camino, y mejore sus caminos y sus obras.
Therefore, [Jeremiah, go and warn all] the people in Jerusalem and [in other places] in Judah. Say to them, ‘This is what Yahweh says: “I am planning to cause you to experience a disaster [DOU]. [So], each of you should turn from your evil behavior and start doing what is right, [in order that you will not experience that disaster].”’’”
12 Pero ellos responderán: Es inútil, porque seguimos tras nuestros propios designios. Cada uno hace según la terquedad de su malvado corazón.
[So I told that message to the people], but they replied, “It is useless [for you to tell us that]. We will [continue to] be stubborn and behave as we want to.”
13 Por tanto Yavé dice: Pregunten ahora entre los pueblos: ¿Quién oyó cosa semejante? ¡La virgen de Israel hizo algo horrible!
So, this is what Yahweh says: “Ask the [people who live in other] nations if they have [RHQ] ever heard of such a thing. My Israeli people, who [have been pure like] [MET] virgins, have done a terrible thing!
14 ¿Desaparecerá la nieve de las peñas de las montañas del Líbano? ¿Se agotarán las frescas aguas que fluyen de tierras lejanas?
The snow certainly never [RHQ] completely disappears/melts from the rocky slopes of the mountains in Lebanon. The cold streams that flow down from those distant mountains never [RHQ] cease flowing.
15 Pues mi pueblo me olvidó. Ofrece incienso a lo que no tiene valor. Tropezó en sus caminos, en las sendas antiguas. Camina por senderos, y no por la calzada.
But my people [are not as reliable as those streams: ] They have abandoned me. They burn incense to [honor/worship] worthless idols. [It is as though] they have stumbled as they walked along very old roads that are good roads, and now, instead, they are walking on dirt paths.
16 Convirtió su tierra en una desolación y burla perpetua. Todo el que pase por ella se asombrará y meneará la cabeza.
Therefore, their land will become desolate, and people who see it will hiss [to ridicule it]. Everyone who passes by will be appalled; they will shake their heads [to show that they are shocked].
17 Como con un viento del oriente los esparciré delante del enemigo. En el día de la aflicción les daré la espalda y no el rostro.
I will scatter the people when their enemies [attack them] like dust is scattered by an east wind. And when they experience all those difficulties/disasters, I will turn my back on them [and refuse] to help them.”
18 Entonces ellos dijeron: ¡Vengan, tramemos nosotros un plan contra Jeremías! Porque la enseñanza no le faltará al sacerdote, ni el consejo al sabio, ni la palabra al profeta. Vengan, causémosle una herida en la lengua, y no atendamos ninguna de sus palabras.
Then some of the people said, “Come, let’s plan to attack Jeremiah. We have [many] priests who teach us God’s laws, and wise men who give us good advice, and prophets who tell us [what will happen. We do not need Jeremiah!] So, let’s slander him and not pay attention to anything that he says.”
19 Oh Yavé, escúchame y oye la voz de los que contienden contra mí.
[Then I prayed], “Yahweh, [please] listen to me! And listen to what my enemies are saying about me.
20 ¿Se paga el bien con mal? Porque cavaron una fosa para mi vida. Recuerda cómo intercedí por ellos ante Ti, para apartar tu ira de ellos.
I am doing things that are good, so it is disgusting that [RHQ] they are paying me back by doing evil [things to me]. [It is as though] they have dug a pit for me [to fall into] and die. Do not forget that [one time] I stood in front of you and pleaded for you [to help them], and I tried to prevent you from [punishing them] [MTY], even though you were very angry with them.
21 Por tanto, entrega sus hijos al hambre. Entrégalos al poder de la espada. Queden sus esposas viudas y sin hijos. Sean sus esposos expuestos a la muerte, y sus jóvenes mueran a espada en la batalla.
So [now], allow their children to die from hunger! Or cause them to be killed by [their enemies’] swords! Cause their wives to become widows, whose children are all dead! Cause their [old] men to die in a plague, and cause their young men to be killed in battles!
22 Que se oiga clamor en sus casas cuando de repente lleves tropas contra ellos, porque cavaron una fosa para atraparme, y escondieron trampas a mis pies.
Cause people to scream in their homes when enemy soldiers suddenly come into their houses! [Cause all those things to happen to them] because they [want to kill me]. [It is as though] they have dug a pit for me [to fall into], and they have hidden traps along my path.
23 Pero Tú, oh Yavé, conoces sus designios contra mí para matarme. No hagas sacrificio que apacigüe por sus pecados. Procede así con ellos en el tiempo de tu furor.
Yahweh, you know all the things that they are planning to do to kill me. Do not forgive them for their crimes or blot out [the record of] their sins. Cause them to be destroyed; punish them because of your being angry [with them]!”
