1. 从耶和华有话临到耶利米，说， The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying,
2. 你起来，下到窑匠的家里去，我在那里要使你听我的话。 Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear My words.
3. 我就下到窑匠的家里去，他正在转轮边工作。 So I went down to the potter's house, and he was there doing work at his wheel.
4. 窑匠用泥作的器皿，在他手中作坏了，他就用这泥另作别的器皿；窑匠看怎样好，就怎样作。 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand; so he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good for the potter to make.
5. 耶和华的话就临到我，说， And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,
6. 耶和华说，以色列家阿，我待你们岂不能照这窑匠所作的么？以色列家阿，泥在窑匠的手中怎样，你们在我的手中也怎样。 Am I not able to do with you, O house of Israel, as this potter does? declares Jehovah. Indeed, as the clay is in the hand of the potter, so you are in My hand, O house of Israel.
7. 我何时论到一邦或一国，说，要拔出、拆毁、毁坏； At the moment that I speak about a nation or about a kingdom, to pluck it up or to break it down or to destroy it,
8. 我所说的那一邦，若是回转离开他们的恶，我就必后悔，不将我要行的灾祸降与他们。 And if that nation concerning which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will repent of the evil that I intended to do to it.
9. 我何时论到一邦或一国，说，要建立、栽植； And at the moment that I speak about a nation or a kingdom, to build it up or to plant it,
10. 他们若行我眼中看为恶的事，不听从我的话，我就必后悔，不将我所说使他们得益的美福赐给他们。 And if it does evil in My sight by not listening to My voice, then I will repent of the good with which I said I would benefit it.
11. 现在你要对犹大人和耶路撒冷的居民说，耶和华如此说，我要造出灾祸攻击你们，设定计划刑罚你们；你们各人当回头离开所行的恶道，改正你们的 行径作为。 And now speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Jehovah, Look, I am forming evil against you and devising a plan against you. Return now, each one of you from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.
12. 他们却说，这是枉然！我们要照自己的计谋去行，各人随自己顽梗的恶心作事。 But they say, It is hopeless! For we will walk after our own devices and everyone will do according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.
13. 所以耶和华如此说，你们且往各国访问，有谁听见这样的事，以色列的处女行了一件极恐怖的事。 Therefore thus says Jehovah, Ask now among the nations, Who has heard such things? The virgin of Israel Has done a very horrible thing.
14. 利巴嫩的雪，从田野的磐石上岂能断绝呢？从远处流下的凉水，岂能干涸呢？ Does the snow of Lebanon Leave the rock of the field? Or will the cold flowing waters Coming from afar be dried up?
15. 我的百姓竟忘记我；他们向虚无的神烧香，在所行的路上，在古道上绊跌，行在没有修筑的小路上； But My people have forgotten Me; They burn incense to vanity, And they have been stumbled in their ways From the ancient paths To walk on bypaths, On a way which is not cast up,
16. 以致他们的地令人惊骇，永远被人嗤笑。凡经过这地的，必惊骇摇头。 To make their land an astonishment, A thing to be hissed at forever. Everyone who passes by will be astonished And shake his head.
17. 我必在仇敌面前分散他们，好像用东风吹散一样；在他们遭难的日子，我必以背向着他们，不以面向着他们。 Like the east wind I will scatter them Before the enemy; I will show them My back and not My face In the day of their calamity.
18. 他们就说，来罢，我们可以设计谋害耶利米；因为我们有祭司的律法，智慧人的谋略，申言者的话，这些都不至于断绝。来罢，我们可以用舌头击 打他，不理会他的一切话。 Then they said, Come, let us devise plots against Jeremiah; for the law will not perish from the priest or counsel from the wise man or a word from the prophet. Come, let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
19. 耶和华阿，求你理会我，听那些与我争竞之人的话。 Give heed to me, O Jehovah, And listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
20. 人岂可以恶报善呢？他们竟挖坑要害我的性命。求你记念我怎样站在你面前，为他们说好话，要使你的忿怒从他们转消。 Shall evil be recompensed with good? For they have dug a pit for my life. Remember how I stood before You To speak good for their sake, To turn away Your wrath from them.
21. 故此，愿你将他们的儿女交与饥荒和刀剑的权势；愿他们的妻丧子，且作寡妇，又愿他们的男人被杀死，他们的少年人在阵上被刀击杀。 Therefore deliver up their children to famine, And give them over to the power of the sword; And let their wives become Bereaved of child and be widows; And let their men be slaughtered to death, Their young men struck by the sword in battle.
22. 你使敌军忽然临到他们的时候，愿人听见哀声从他们的屋内发出；因他们挖坑要捉拿我，暗设网罗要绊我的脚。 Let a cry be heard from their houses When You suddenly bring upon them a troop; For they have dug a pit to capture me And have hidden snares for my feet.
23. 耶和华阿，他们要杀我的那一切计谋，你都知道。不要遮盖他们的罪孽，也不要从你面前涂抹他们的罪，却要叫他们在你面前跌倒，愿你发怒的时 候对付他们。 Yet You, O Jehovah, know All their counsel against me for my death. Do not be propitious to their iniquity, And do not blot out their sin from before You; But let them be overthrown before You; Deal with them in the time of Your anger.