Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ New Living Translation This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ English Standard Version Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Berean Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ King James Bible Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. New King James Version Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ New American Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ NASB 1995 Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ NASB 1977 Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Legacy Standard Bible Thus says Yahweh, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Amplified Bible Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is; then walk in it, And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ Christian Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths, “Which is the way to what is good? ” Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths: Which is the way to what is good? Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t!” American Standard Version Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein. Contemporary English Version The LORD said: My people, when you stood at the crossroads, I told you, "Follow the road your ancestors took, and you will find peace." But you refused. English Revised Version Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said that you wouldn't live that way. Good News Translation The LORD said to his people, "Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it, and you will live in peace." But they said, "No, we will not!" International Standard Version This is what the LORD says: "Stand beside the roads and watch. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is. Walk in it and find rest for yourselves. But they said, 'We won't walk in it!' Majority Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: ?Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ?Where is the good way?? Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ?We will not walk in it!? NET Bible The LORD said to his people: "You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it. If you do, you will find rest for your souls." But they said, "We will not follow it!" New Heart English Bible Thus says the LORD, "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, 'Where is the good way?' and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." But they said, "We will not walk in it." Webster's Bible Translation Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk in it, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it. World English Bible Yahweh says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThus said YHWH: “Stand by the ways and see, and ask for paths of old, "" Where [is] this—the good way? And go in it, "" And find rest for yourselves. And they say, We do not go. Young's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah: Stand ye by the ways and see, and ask for paths of old, Where is this -- the good way? and go ye in it, And find rest for yourselves. And they say, 'We do not go.' Smith's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah, Stand ye upon the ways, and see, and ask for the beaten paths of old, where this the good way, and go ye in it, and find rest to your soul. And they will say, We will not go. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThus saith the Lord: Stand ye on the ways, and see and ask for the old paths which is the good way, and walk ye in it: and you shall find refreshment for your souls. And they said: we will not walk. Catholic Public Domain Version Thus says the Lord: “Stand above the ways, and see and ask, about the ancient paths, as to which is the good way, and then walk in it. And you will find refreshment for your souls. But they said: ‘We will not walk.’ New American Bible Thus says the LORD: Stand by the earliest roads, ask the pathways of old, “Which is the way to good?” and walk it; thus you will find rest for yourselves. But they said, “We will not walk it.” New Revised Standard Version Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThus says the LORD, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths and see where is the good way, and walk in it and find rest for your souls. But you said, We will not walk therein. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “Stand on the roads and see, and ask for the paths of eternity, and see which way is beautiful. Go in it and find rest for your souls”, and they said: ‘We are not going!’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thus saith the LORD: Stand ye in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, Where is the good way, and walk therein, And ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said: 'We will not walk therein.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths of the Lord; and see what is the good way, and walk in it, and ye shall find purification for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jerusalem's Final Warning…15Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD. 16This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ 17I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’… Cross References Matthew 11:28-29 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Isaiah 30:21 And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” Psalm 25:4-5 Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You. Isaiah 55:2-3 Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you. Isaiah 2:3 And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Hebrews 4:1-3 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. / For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it. / Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world. Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Proverbs 4:26-27 Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. / Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil. Treasury of Scripture Thus said the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Stand. Jeremiah 18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. Song of Solomon 1:7,8 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? … and walk. Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. ye shall. Isaiah 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. Matthew 11:28,29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… We will. Jeremiah 2:25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. Jeremiah 18:12 And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. Jeremiah 22:21 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. Jump to Previous Ancient Crossroads Find Good Paths Rest Roads Search Souls Stand Therein Walk Way Ways YourselvesJump to Next Ancient Crossroads Find Good Paths Rest Roads Search Souls Stand Therein Walk Way Ways YourselvesJeremiah 6 1. The enemies sent against Judah,4. encourage themselves. 6. God sets them on work because of their sins. 9. The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins. 18. He proclaims God's wrath. 26. He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins. This is what the LORD says: This phrase emphasizes the divine authority behind the message. The LORD, Yahweh, is the covenant God of Israel, whose words carry ultimate authority and truth. This introduction is common in prophetic literature, underscoring that the message is not from the prophet's own mind but from God Himself. Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by calls for repentance and return to God. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who is calling His people back to faithfulness and obedience through the prophet Jeremiah. 4. Crossroads A metaphorical place of decision, representing a point where the people of Judah must choose between continuing in their disobedience or returning to the ways of God. 5. Ancient Paths Symbolic of the tried and true ways of living according to God's commandments and the covenant established with their forefathers. Teaching Points The Importance of Seeking God's GuidanceAt life's crossroads, we are called to seek God's wisdom and direction. This involves prayer, studying Scripture, and being attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading. The Value of Tradition and Scripture The "ancient paths" represent the enduring truths found in God's Word. We are encouraged to value and adhere to biblical teachings that have stood the test of time. The Consequences of Disobedience Judah's refusal to walk in God's ways serves as a warning. Disobedience leads to unrest and separation from God, while obedience brings peace and fulfillment. Finding Rest in God True rest for our souls is found in aligning our lives with God's will. This rest is not merely physical but spiritual, offering peace amidst life's challenges. The Call to Action God calls us not only to recognize the right path but to actively walk in it. Our faith is demonstrated through our actions and choices.(16) Stand ye in the ways.--In the prophet's mind the people were as a traveller who has taken a self-chosen path, and finds that it leads him to a place of peril. Is it not well that they should stop and ask where the old paths (literally, the eternal paths; the words going, as in Jeremiah 18:15, beyond the mere antiquity of the nation's life) were, on which their fathers had travelled safely. Of these old paths they were to choose that which was most distinctly "the good way," the way of righteousness, and therefore of peace and health also. The call, however, was in vain. The people chose to travel still in the broad way that led them to destruction.Verses 16-21. - Without hearty repentance, there is no hope of escape. But hitherto Judah has rejected all admonitions. What availeth mere ceremonial punctuality? Verse 16. - Stand ye in the ways; literally, station yourselves on (or, by) roads, i.e. at the meeting-point of different roads. There (as the following words state) the Jews are to make inquiry as to the old paths. Antiquity gives a presumption of rightness; the ancients were nearer to the days when God spoke with man; they had the guidance of God's two mighty "shepherds" (Isaiah 63:11); they knew, far better than we, who "are but of yesterday, and know nothing" (Job 8:9), the way of happiness. For though there are many pretended "ways," there is but "one way" (Jeremiah 32:39) which has Jehovah's blessing (Psalm 25:8, 9). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew This is whatכֹּ֣ה (kōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֡ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Stand עִמְדוּ֩ (‘im·ḏū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations at עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the crossroads דְּרָכִ֨ים (də·rā·ḵîm) Noun - common plural Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action and look. וּרְא֜וּ (ū·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see Ask וְשַׁאֲל֣וּ ׀ (wə·ša·’ă·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand for the ancient עוֹלָ֗ם (‘ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always paths: לִנְתִב֣וֹת (lin·ṯi·ḇō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 5410: Path, pathway Where אֵי־ (’ê-) Interrogative Strong's 335: Where?, how? [is] the good הַטּוֹב֙ (haṭ·ṭō·wḇ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good way? דֶ֤רֶךְ (ḏe·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action Then walk וּלְכוּ־ (ū·lə·ḵū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk in it בָ֔הּ (ḇāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew and find וּמִצְא֥וּ (ū·miṣ·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present rest מַרְגּ֖וֹעַ (mar·gō·w·a‘) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4771: A resting place for your souls. לְנַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם (lə·nap̄·šə·ḵem) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion But they said, וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘We will not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no walk in it!? נֵלֵֽךְ׃ (nê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk Links Jeremiah 6:16 NIVJeremiah 6:16 NLT Jeremiah 6:16 ESV Jeremiah 6:16 NASB Jeremiah 6:16 KJV Jeremiah 6:16 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 6:16 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 6:16 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 6:16 French Bible Jeremiah 6:16 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says Yahweh Stand you (Jer.) |
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