Jeremiah 14

“The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.” Naming Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.” Naming Jerusalem and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned…” The line’s distinctive content terms include ashamed, confounded, covered. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.” Naming Yea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because…” The line’s distinctive content terms include asses, dragons, eyes. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“O LORD , though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we…” The line’s distinctive content terms include backslidings, iniquities, LORD. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD , art in the midst of us…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore…” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, accept, feet. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.” Naming Pray keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them…” The line’s distinctive content terms include accept, burnt, consume. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD ! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them…” The line’s distinctive content terms include both, city, enter. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“We acknowledge, O LORD , our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.” The line’s distinctive content terms include acknowledge, fathers, iniquity. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.