Jeremiah 8:4
New International Version
“Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: “’When people fall down, do they not get up? When someone turns away, do they not return?

New Living Translation
“Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD says: “‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?

English Standard Version
“You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD: When men fall, do they not rise again? If one turns away, does he not return?

Berean Standard Bible
So you are to tell them this is what the LORD says: “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not return?

King James Bible
Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?

New King James Version
“Moreover you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Will they fall and not rise? Will one turn away and not return?

New American Standard Bible
“You shall say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Do people fall and not get up? Does one turn away and not repent?

NASB 1995
“You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not repent?

NASB 1977
“And you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not repent?

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall say to them, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not turn back?

Amplified Bible
“Moreover [Jeremiah], you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Do men fall and not rise up again? Does one turn away [from God] and not repent and return [to Him]?

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to say to them: This is what the LORD says: Do people fall and not get up again? If they turn away, do they not return?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“You are to say to them: This is what the LORD says: Do people fall and not get up again? If they turn away, do they not return?

American Standard Version
Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah: Shall men fall, and not rise up again? Shall one turn away, and not return?

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said: People of Jerusalem, when you stumble and fall, you get back up, and if you take a wrong road, you turn around and go back.

English Revised Version
Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD: shall men fall, and not rise up again? shall one turn away, and not return?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: When someone falls, he gets back up. When someone turns away from me, he returns.

Good News Translation
The LORD told me to say to his people, "When someone falls down, doesn't he get back up? If someone misses the road, doesn't he turn back?

International Standard Version
"You are to say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: "Will a person fall down and then not get up? Will someone turn away and then not turn back again?

Majority Standard Bible
So you are to tell them this is what the LORD says: “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not return?

NET Bible
The LORD said to me, "Tell them, 'The LORD says, Do people not get back up when they fall down? Do they not turn around when they go the wrong way?

New Heart English Bible
"Moreover you shall tell them, 'Thus says the LORD: Shall men fall, and not rise up again? Shall one turn away, and not return?

Webster's Bible Translation
Moreover, thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?

World English Bible
“Moreover you shall tell them, ‘Yahweh says: “‘Do men fall, and not rise up again? Does one turn away, and not return?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And you have said to them, Thus said YHWH: Do they fall, and not rise? Does he turn back, and not return?

Young's Literal Translation
And thou hast said unto them: Thus said Jehovah, Do they fall, and not rise? Doth he turn back, and not return?

Smith's Literal Translation
And say to them, Thus said Jehovah, Shall they fall and not rise? if he shall turn back, and not turn back?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord: Shall not he that falleth, rise again? and he that is turned away, shall he not turn again?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you will say to them: Thus says the Lord: He who falls, will he not rise again? And he who has been turned away, will he not return?

New American Bible
Tell them: Thus says the LORD: When someone falls, do they not rise again? if they turn away, do they not turn back?

New Revised Standard Version
You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD: When people fall, do they not get up again? If they go astray, do they not turn back?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Moreover you shall say to them, Thus says the LORD: They shall fall and not arise; and even if they would try to repent, they will not do so.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall say to them: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘They shall fall and they shall not arise, and if they would return to God, they will not return to God
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Moreover thou shalt say unto them: Thus saith the LORD: Do men fall, and not rise up again? Doth one turn away, and not return?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thus saith the Lord, Shall not he that falls arise? or he that turns away, shall he not turn back again?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah's Sin and Punishment
3And wherever I have banished them, the remnant of this evil family will choose death over life,” declares the LORD of Hosts. 4So you are to tell them this is what the LORD says: “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not return? 5Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.…

Cross References
Isaiah 1:18-20
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. / If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Zechariah 1:3-4
So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’ / Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Matthew 11:28-30
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. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:17-24
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death! / I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ ...

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Revelation 2:5
Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Isaiah 31:6
Return to the One against whom you have so blatantly rebelled, O children of Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

Moreover you shall say to them, Thus said the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?

Moreover.

shall they.

Proverbs 24:16
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Hosea 14:1
O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

Amos 5:2
The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up.

turn.

Jeremiah 3:1,22
They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD…

Jeremiah 4:1
If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.

Jeremiah 23:14
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

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Arise Fall Falling Lifted Moreover Repent Rise Turn Turns
Jeremiah 8
1. The calamity of the Jews, both dead and alive.
4. He upbraids their foolish and shameless impenitency.
13. He shows their grievous judgment;
18. and bewails their desperate estate.














“You are to say to them”
This phrase sets the stage for a direct message from God through the prophet Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which implies a declaration or proclamation. This is not merely a suggestion but a divine command. In the historical context, prophets were often the mouthpieces of God, delivering messages that were crucial for the spiritual and moral direction of the people. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," was tasked with delivering difficult truths to a rebellious nation. This phrase underscores the authority and urgency of the message that follows.

“This is what the LORD says”
The phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the message. "LORD" in Hebrew is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred name of God, often rendered as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal presence and covenantal faithfulness. In the conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of recognizing the Bible as the inspired Word of God. The authority of the message is not in Jeremiah himself but in the fact that it is from the LORD, the covenant-keeping God of Israel.

“Do men fall and not get up again?”
This rhetorical question uses the imagery of falling and rising, which is common in Hebrew literature. The Hebrew word for "fall" is "נָפַל" (naphal), and "get up" is "קוּם" (qum). This imagery is often used to describe moral or spiritual failure and the opportunity for repentance and restoration. Historically, Israel had experienced numerous "falls" due to idolatry and disobedience, yet God continually offered them a chance to "get up" through repentance. This question challenges the people to consider their spiritual state and the natural inclination to seek restoration.

“Does one turn away and not return?”
The concept of turning away and returning is central to the theme of repentance in the Bible. The Hebrew word for "turn away" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which also means to return or repent. This dual meaning emphasizes the choice before the people: to continue in their waywardness or to return to God. In the conservative Christian view, this reflects the call to repentance that is echoed throughout Scripture. The historical context shows that Israel often turned away from God, yet He continually called them back to Himself, demonstrating His patience and mercy.

(4) Shall he turn.--Better, as both clauses arc indefinite, Shall men fall and not arise? Shall one turn away and not return? The appeal is made to the common practice of men. Those who fall struggle to their feet again. One who finds that he has lost his way retraces his steps. In its spiritual aspect the words assert the possibility of repentance in all but every case, however desperate it may seem. St. Paul's question, "Have they stumbled that they should fall?" (Romans 11:11), expresses something of the same belief in the ultimate triumph of the Divine purpose of good. As yet, that purpose, as the next verse shows, seemed to be thwarted.

Verse 4 - Jeremiah 9:1. - The incorrigible wickedness of the people, and the awfulness of the judgment. Verse 4. - Moreover thou shalt say, etc.; literally, and thou shalt say. The section is introduced by a formula which connects it with Jeremiah 7:2, 28. Shall they fall, etc.? rather, Do men fall... doth a man turn away? One of those appeals to common sense in which the prophets delight. Who ever sees a fallen man stay quietly on the ground without attempting to rise? or a man who has wandered out of the path persist in going in the wrong direction?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So you are to tell
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them
אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

this is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (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

‘Do [men] fall
הֲיִפְּל֖וּ (hă·yip·pə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

and not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

get up again?
יָק֑וּמוּ (yā·qū·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

Does one turn away
יָשׁ֖וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

and not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

return?
יָשֽׁוּב׃ (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 8:4 Moreover you shall tell them Thus says (Jer.)
Jeremiah 8:3
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