Jeremiah 13:17
New International Version
If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD’s flock will be taken captive.

New Living Translation
And if you still refuse to listen, I will weep alone because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock will be led away into exile.

English Standard Version
But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

Berean Standard Bible
But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

King James Bible
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

New King James Version
But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly And run down with tears, Because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

New American Standard Bible
But if you do not listen to it, My soul will weep in secret for such pride; And my eyes will shed And stream down tears, Because the flock of the LORD has been taken captive.

NASB 1995
But if you will not listen to it, My soul will sob in secret for such pride; And my eyes will bitterly weep And flow down with tears, Because the flock of the LORD has been taken captive.

NASB 1977
But if you will not listen to it, My soul will sob in secret for such pride; And my eyes will bitterly weep And flow down with tears, Because the flock of the LORD has been taken captive.

Legacy Standard Bible
But if you will not listen to it, My soul will cry in secret for such pride; And my eyes will bitterly weep And flow down with tears Because the flock of Yahweh has been taken captive.

Amplified Bible
But if you will not listen and obey, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly And flow with tears, Because the LORD’S flock has been taken captive.

Christian Standard Bible
But if you will not listen, my innermost being will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, for the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you will not listen, my innermost being will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, for the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

American Standard Version
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah's flock is taken captive.

Contemporary English Version
If you are too proud to listen, I will weep alone. Tears will stream from my eyes when the LORD's people are taken away as prisoners.

English Revised Version
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is taken captive.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you won't listen, I will cry secretly over your arrogance. I will cry bitterly, and my eyes will flow with tears because the LORD's flock will be taken captive.

Good News Translation
If you will not listen, I will cry in secret because of your pride; I will cry bitterly, and my tears will flow because the LORD's people have been taken away as captives.

International Standard Version
If you don't listen, I'll cry secretly because of your pride. My eyes will cry bitterly, flowing tears, because the LORD's flock has been taken captive.

Majority Standard Bible
But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

NET Bible
But if you will not pay attention to this warning, I will weep alone because of your arrogant pride. I will weep bitterly and my eyes will overflow with tears because you, the LORD's flock, will be carried into exile."

New Heart English Bible
But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and my eye shall weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is taken captive."

Webster's Bible Translation
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and my eye shall weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

World English Bible
But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eye will weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if you do not hear it, "" My soul weeps in secret places, because of pride, "" Indeed, it weeps and wails, "" And the tear comes down my eyes, "" For the flock of YHWH has been taken captive.

Young's Literal Translation
And if ye do not hear it, In secret places doth my soul weep, because of pride, Yea, it weepeth sore, And the tear cometh down mine eyes, For the flock of Jehovah hath been taken captive.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in hiding places from the face of pride, and mine eye weeping shall weep and bring down tears, because the flock of Jehovah was taken captive.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if you will not hear this, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride: weeping it shall weep, and my eyes shall run down the tears, because the flock of the Lord is carried away captive.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if you will not listen to this, then my soul will weep in secret before the face of your pride. It will weep bitterly, and my eyes will flow with tears, because the flock of the Lord has been taken captive.

New American Bible
If you do not listen to this in your pride, I will weep many tears in secret; My eyes will run with tears for the LORD’s flock, led away to exile.

New Revised Standard Version
But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if you will not hearken to him, then my soul shall weep in secret because of distress; and I will weep bitterly, and tears shall run down from my eyes because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if you will not listen to him, secretly my soul will weep before the distress, and weeping I shall weep and tears will run down my eyes, because the flock of LORD JEHOVAH was captured
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if ye will not hear it, My soul shall weep in secret for your pride; And mine eyes shall weep sore, and run down with tears, Because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if ye will not hearken, your soul shall weep in secret because of pride, and your eyes shall pour down tears, because the Lord's flock is sorely bruised.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Captivity Threatened
16Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness. 17But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive. 18Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”…

Cross References
Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...

Matthew 23:37-39
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. / For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Lamentations 1:16
For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to revive my soul. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.

Isaiah 22:4
Therefore I said, “Turn away from me, let me weep bitterly! Do not try to console me over the destruction of the daughter of my people.”

Ezekiel 21:6-7
But you, son of man, groan! Groan before their eyes with a broken heart and bitter grief. / And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will go limp. Every spirit will faint, and every knee will turn to water.’ Yes, it is coming and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD.”

Romans 9:2-3
I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. / For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,

Psalm 119:136
My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.

2 Kings 8:11-12
Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep. / “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

John 11:35
Jesus wept.

Isaiah 15:5
My heart cries out over Moab; her fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath-shelishiyah. With weeping they ascend the slope of Luhith; they lament their destruction on the road to Horonaim.

Philippians 3:18
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Hosea 9:14
Give them, O LORD—what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!

Amos 6:6
You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.

Micah 1:8
Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.

Joel 2:17
Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”


Treasury of Scripture

But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and my eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive.

if.

Jeremiah 22:5
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

Malachi 2:2
If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

my soul.

Jeremiah 9:1
Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jeremiah 14:17
Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

Jeremiah 17:16
As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.

for.

Jeremiah 13:15
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

because.

Jeremiah 13:19,20
The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive…

Psalm 80:1
To the chief Musician upon ShoshannimEduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

Isaiah 63:11
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?

Jump to Previous
Bitterly Captive Captivity Carried Ear Eye Eyes Flock Flow Hear Jehovah's LORD's Overflowing Places Pride Prisoners Run Secret Sore Soul Streaming Tear Tears Weep Weepeth Weeping
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Bitterly Captive Captivity Carried Ear Eye Eyes Flock Flow Hear Jehovah's LORD's Overflowing Places Pride Prisoners Run Secret Sore Soul Streaming Tear Tears Weep Weepeth Weeping
Jeremiah 13
1. By the type of a linen belt, hidden at Euphrates,
9. God prefigures the destruction of his people.
12. By the parable of bottles filled with wine he foretells their drunkenness in misery.
15. He exhorts to prevent their future judgments.
22. He shows their abominations are the cause thereof.














But if you will not listen
This phrase underscores the conditional nature of God's warnings through the prophet Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but obeying. In the historical context, the Israelites were repeatedly admonished to heed God's commandments. Their failure to listen was not merely a lack of auditory reception but a willful disobedience to divine instruction. This sets the stage for the consequences that follow, emphasizing the importance of obedience in the covenant relationship with God.

my soul will weep in secret
The phrase "my soul" (נַפְשִׁי, nephesh) refers to the deepest part of Jeremiah's being, indicating profound personal grief. "Weep in secret" suggests an intimate, private sorrow, reflecting the prophet's deep empathy and love for his people. Historically, prophets often bore the emotional weight of their messages, feeling the heartache of impending judgment. This private weeping signifies the genuine compassion and sorrow that God, through His prophet, feels for His people's stubbornness.

because of your pride
"Pride" (גֵּוָה, gevah) is a recurring theme in the Bible, often leading to downfall. In the context of Jeremiah, the pride of the Israelites manifested in their self-reliance and idolatry, rejecting God's sovereignty. This pride is not just an attitude but a spiritual condition that blinds them to their need for repentance. The historical context shows that pride led to the nation's moral and spiritual decay, ultimately resulting in their captivity.

my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears
The imagery of "weep bitterly" and "overflowing with tears" conveys an intense, uncontrollable sorrow. The Hebrew word for "bitterly" (תִּבְכֶּינָה, tivkenah) suggests a deep, anguished lament. This reflects the prophet's—and by extension, God's—heartbreak over the people's impending suffering. The tears symbolize the depth of divine compassion and the seriousness of the consequences of sin. Historically, this weeping foreshadows the lamentations over Jerusalem's fall and the exile.

because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive
The term "LORD’s flock" (עֵדֶר יְהוָה, eder Yahweh) is a pastoral metaphor, portraying the Israelites as sheep under God's care. This imagery is rich in biblical tradition, emphasizing God's role as a shepherd who guides and protects His people. The phrase "taken captive" (נִלְכָּד, nilkad) indicates the severe consequence of their disobedience—exile and loss of freedom. Historically, this refers to the Babylonian captivity, a pivotal event in Israel's history. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of turning away from God, yet also hints at the hope of eventual restoration under God's faithful shepherding.

(17) My soul shall weep in secret places for your pride.--The words present no difficulty that requires explanation, but deserve to be noted in their exquisite tenderness as characteristic of the prophet's temperament (comp. Lamentations 1:16), reminding us of the tears shed over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and of St. Paul's "great heaviness and continual sorrow" (Romans 9:2). Nothing remained for one who found his labours fruitless but silent sorrow and intercession. The "secret places" find a parallel in our Lord's withdrawal for prayer into a "solitary place" (Mark 1:35).

Verse 17. - Should all admonitions be in vain, Jeremiah will return (like Samuel, 1 Samuel 15:35) and give vent to his sorrowful emotion. The Lord's flock. Jehovah is likened to a shepherd (comp. Zechariah 10:3).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְאִם֙ (wə·’im)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

listen,
תִשְׁמָע֔וּהָ (ṯiš·mā·‘ū·hā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

I
נַפְשִׁ֖י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

will weep
תִּבְכֶּֽה־ (tiḇ·keh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

alone
בְּמִסְתָּרִ֥ים (bə·mis·tā·rîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4565: A secret place, hiding place

because of
מִפְּנֵ֣י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

your pride;
גֵוָ֑ה (ḡê·wāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1466: Exaltation, arrogance

My eyes
עֵינִי֙ (‘ê·nî)
Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

will overflow
וְתֵרַ֤ד (wə·ṯê·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

with tears,
דִּמְעָ֔ה (dim·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1832: Tears (of one weeping)

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD’s
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

flock
עֵ֥דֶר (‘ê·ḏer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster

has been taken captive.
נִשְׁבָּ֖ה (niš·bāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7617: To transport into captivity


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 13:17 But if you will not hear it (Jer.)
Jeremiah 13:16
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